Rep. Chu Recognizes 2026 Congressional Women of the Year

PASADENA, CA — On Saturday, April 4, 2026, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) hosted the annual Congressional Women of the Year Awards Ceremony to honor local women in the San Gabriel Valley who have contributed to their neighborhoods and communities through service, organizing, or leadership. The award, now in its 16^th year, is given to women nominated by people in their own cities and communities.

“The annual Women of the Year Awards Ceremony is among the highlights of my year,” said Rep. Chu. “The honorees have stood out in our communities because of their commitment to giving back to the San Gabriel Valley. Every single honoree has been selected through an exhaustive process that begins with a nomination from their neighbors, friends, or family—the people in their communities who know them best and see their service up close. We received a flood of nominations from cities across the 28^th congressional district of California, and the winners stood out not only because of their passion and drive, but because of the admiration from their neighbors and fellow citizens. I’m so proud of these role models and am honored to be recognizing them.” 

The 2026 honorees are: 

Altadena – Joy Chen

• Joy Chen serves as Executive Director of the Eaton Fire Survivors Network (EFSN), the nation’s largest survivor-led recovery hub, which connects more than 10,000 survivors and allies impacted by the Eaton, Palisades, and Malibu fires. Under her leadership, EFSN advances a coordinated, community-driven approach to recovery, working to remove systemic barriers and expand equitable access to critical resources for all survivors. A former Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles, Joy led economic and workforce development initiatives in one of the most diverse cities in the world, with a focus on increasing access to opportunity for communities historically underrepresented in capital and decision-making. Following her public service, she worked at Heidrick & Struggles, where she recruited Fortune 500 CEOs and board directors on a global scale. An influential thought leader and author, Joy’s writing on leadership and personal agency has reached millions internationally and led to two bestselling books focused on empowering women in their careers and lives. Today, she is a prominent national voice on disaster recovery, insurance accountability, and community-led rebuilding, advocating for more resilient and inclusive recovery systems. 

Altadena – Gayle Nicholls-Ali

• Gayle Nicholls-Ali is a dedicated arts educator, photographer, and advocate for Career Technical Education (CTE) and Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA). For more than two decades, she has inspired students through photography, graphic arts, and computer science at La Cañada High School and the Armory Center for the Arts, while also serving over ten years as an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College. Since 2014, she has advised the Girls Who Code STEAM Innovation Camp, empowering young women in technology and leadership. Gayle has played a key role in shaping California’s Arts, Entertainment, and Design standards, reflecting her commitment to equitable arts education. She has received numerous honors, including the Crystal Apple Award, Teacher of the Year, and national and state leadership awards in arts education. A Teacher Leader with the Connected Arts Network, she supports educators nationwide and serves in leadership roles across multiple arts organizations. Following the Eaton Fire, she founded Altadena Photographers and now leads community-based storytelling initiatives, fostering healing, connection, and creative expression. 

Arcadia – Diana Sanchez

• Diana Sanchez is a strategic leader and dedicated volunteer who has proudly called Arcadia home for 14 years. She believes a strong community is built through active involvement, a commitment recognized with the March 2025 Downtown Arcadia Local Hero Award. Inspired by her early enjoyment of local events, Diana now serves as Secretary of the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association Board and Lead Volunteer for its signature events, helping bring beloved traditions like the Holiday Fair and Halloween Haunting to life. Her dedication extends to local schools, where she has been an active PTA member for over a decade. As a mother of three, she currently serves as both the Executive Vice President of Membership for the Holly Avenue PTA and the Food Drive Chair for the Arcadia Council PTA. Professionally, Diana is an accomplished leader in Customer Success and Operations and was named a 2025 Top 100 CS Strategist. She currently holds a leadership role at Quorum Software and previously spent 17 years at Solver, Inc. Diana is also passionate about mentoring others, guiding individuals seeking career growth and new opportunities. 

La Cañada Flintridge – Suzanne Goldberg

• Suzanne Goldberg was born and raised in South Vietnam and immigrated to the United States in 1969 at age 21 in pursuit of higher education and the ideals of liberty, equality, and democracy. She graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, built a career, and raised three children while working full time. After retiring in 2015, Suzanne became an active and passionate civic leader. She joined the Cañada Crescenta Democratic Club in 2016 and now serves as Vice President, while also contributing to the leadership team of San Gabriel Foothills Indivisible. She has played key roles in voter outreach, including efforts supporting California’s 2021 gubernatorial recall election and other statewide initiatives, while helping expand civic participation in her community. A dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, Suzanne has supported refugee resettlement efforts, including sponsoring Afghan families through Operation Allies Welcome. She also leads voter engagement initiatives, including national postcard campaigns. In 2024, she was honored as Democrat of the Year for her Assembly District. Suzanne remains deeply committed to community service, civic engagement, and inspiring future generations. 

Monterey Park – Cindy Kuo

• Cindy Kuo, who will celebrate her 85th birthday this year, has led a life guided by compassion, generosity, and quiet leadership. She is the founder of the MP Prajna Buddhist Mission, through which she has dedicated decades to humanitarian service inspired by principles of wisdom and loving-kindness. Cindy’s work has focused on uplifting children and families in Southeast Asia, raising funds to build schools, provide food, and expand access to education in underserved communities. She frequently traveled to rural areas to personally deliver supplies and support those in need. Her commitment to alleviating hunger extends locally as well, as demonstrated by her significant contributions to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Born in Taiwan, Cindy immigrated to the United States in 1980 and later settled in Monterey Park, where she remains actively engaged in community service. For her lifelong dedication, she received the Hope Charity Myanmar Foundation Lifetime Award. Married to Dr. Edward C. Wong, she is a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who continues to inspire through her kindness, humility, and service. 

Pasadena – Vannia De La Cuba

• Vannia De La Cuba is a public servant with more than 30 years of experience in civic engagement, public policy, and community building in Pasadena and the surrounding region. She currently serves as Deputy to Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo, where she supports citywide and regional initiatives that connect residents, community organizations, and government partners to local and regional resources. Known for her ability to build trust and advance collaborative solutions, she has helped shape policies that support families, strengthen neighborhoods, expand early childhood development and youth education opportunities, and promote affordable housing. Her recent leadership has also included coordinating community response efforts such as the Eaton Fire Collaborative and supporting immigrant families during times of uncertainty. Vannia previously served 17 years as a Field Representative in Pasadena’s 5th District and began her career working in immigrant rights, violence prevention, and family services organizations. She is a graduate of Pasadena Unified School District schools and the University of Southern California and serves on multiple local boards and committees focused on education, health, and community well-being. In 2023, she was recognized as a Woman of Distinction for her leadership and service. Above all, Vannia is a proud mother of three sons—Daniel, Gabo, and Andres—and finds joy in spending time with her family, including her rescued pittie, Moya. 

Pasadena – Christy Zamani 

• Christy Zamani is the Executive Director of Day One and a community leader with more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience across nonprofit and public-sector organizations. Since 2007, she has led Day One with a focus on public health, youth leadership, and equitable systems change, overseeing significant organizational growth, including tripling the budget and expanding services across multiple locations. Under her leadership, the organization has created lasting pathways for youth advancement, with many former participants now serving in staff roles, including director and senior leadership positions. A graduate and former Student Body President of California State University, Long Beach, Christy brings both strategic vision and hands-on expertise in public policy, community health, and youth development. In addition to her long-standing prevention and public health work, Christy has played a key role in supporting fire recovery efforts following the Eaton Fire, helping coordinate community response and long-term recovery initiatives focused on equitable access to housing, resources, and sustained support for displaced and vulnerable residents. Christy is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities, amplifying youth voices, and advancing public health. Her work centers on strengthening systems and policies that promote health, resilience, and opportunity, particularly for those most impacted by systemic inequities and crisis events. 

San Marino – Hon. Gretchen Shepherd Romey

• Gretchen Shepherd Romey recently concluded her second term as Mayor of the City of San Marino and has served on the San Marino City Council since 2017. Her priorities include maintaining the highest level of public safety, preserving San Marino’s historic neighborhoods and mature tree canopy, and strengthening good governance through transparency and accountability. Born in Michigan and raised in Los Angeles, Gretchen is the daughter of a public school teacher and a proud graduate of LAUSD schools. She earned her B.A. with Honors in Russian Studies from the University of Michigan in just three years, then went on to UC Berkeley School of Law, where she co-founded the East Bay Community Law Center and later served as President of the Moot Court Board. After a federal clerkship in San Diego, she practiced law in Los Angeles, representing clients in litigation and entertainment law. Gretchen has served on numerous nonprofit and civic boards, including CASA of Los Angeles and the Huntington Library. She currently serves as a Director of the Metropolitan Water District, where she focuses on water reliability, infrastructure, and long-term regional resilience. She is married to Michael Romey and is the proud mother of two children, Morgan and Turner.

South Pasadena – Hon. Janet Braun

• Janet Braun is a South Pasadena City Councilmember, elected in 2022 and serving as Mayor in 2025, after previously serving on the Planning and Public Safety Commissions, both as Chair. She has also been active in civic leadership and women’s organizations, including Women Involved in South Pasadena Political Advocacy and Women in Leadership Vital Voices, and supported voter protection and turnout efforts during the 2016 presidential election. With more than 30 years of experience in corporate law and business operations, Janet began her legal career at O’Melveny & Myers before holding senior roles at Santa Fe International, NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, and HBT Labs, where she served as Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel and helped lead the company’s successful sale. A graduate of Ohio State University with degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering and Law, she has received recognition for leadership and innovation and serves on multiple university advisory boards. Deeply committed to youth development, Janet has been a longtime leader in AYSO soccer and Scouting America and has served on the boards of Huntington Hospital and several local institutions. She is a proud mother of three children—two Eagle Scouts and a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient. 

Temple City – Samantha Yu Chang

• Samantha Yu is a distinguished property and casualty insurance leader with more than 25 years of experience specializing in construction, high-tech manufacturing facilities, and complex commercial risk management. As President and CEO of Hoya Insurance Agency, based in the San Gabriel Valley, she leads a respected firm serving domestic and international clients. The agency is certified by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. In recognition of her leadership and community impact, Ms. Yu was named Citizen of the Year in 2024 by the Chinese American Elected Officials Association. Beyond insurance, she is a seasoned media professional with over 30 years of experience, having hosted a long-running AM 1300 radio program helping immigrants navigate American society, as well as a daily television news program on Sino TV. Her public service includes appointment by former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to the California Podiatric Medical Board. She also serves on several boards, including the California Asian Insurance and Financial Professionals Association and the Taiwan Center, and previously led the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women Southern California Chapter. An MBA graduate of Kansas Wesleyan University, she built her company from the ground up and remains a dedicated advocate for opportunity, community empowerment, and service. She is also a proud wife and mother of two daughters.