RITA CRUZ GALLEGOS

BIO:
Rita Cruz Gallegos was born in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico. She attended East Los Angeles College receiving her Associate Degree in Psychology. Ms. Cruz Gallegos continued her education at the University of Southern California and California State University in Fullerton. Rita acquired extensive knowledge in the legal field with the training obtained from the Legal Secretaries Training Institute and her paralegal studies at the University of West Los Angeles. She completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Applied Management from Azusa Pacific University and received her JD degree from Glendale University College of Law.

Rita was a partner and Chief Executive Officer for Gallegos Chiropractic in Baldwin Park for fifteen years. She started her consulting firm, Genesis Consultants, specializing in special events, public affairs, public relations, marketing and fundraising for elected officials as well as offering translating services. Rita joined Health Net of California in 2000 as the Sr. Program Director for Latino Programs. As Sr. Program director, Rita's main responsibility is to oversee and market Health Net's cross-border product "Salud con Health Net" which is a group of affordable medical plans specially designed to meet the needs of the Latino families and small business owners in California and in Mexico. Rita's responsibilities encompass promotion of all lines of business (Medicare, State Health Programs, Commercial and Salud Con Health Net) statewide. Rita maintains public and governmental relations, statewide as well as representing Health Net in the business community, chambers of commerce and other associations in the Latino community.

Giving back to the community is very important for Rita. She is quite active in several regions throughout the State. She serves on Boards of a variety of non-profit organizations, including Chambers of Commerce. She currently serves on the Board of Governors for HOPE PAC (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality), the Corporate Advisory Board for the Latin Business Association (LBA), Executive Board Member for "Padres Contra El Cancer", Board Member for Latino Health Access, Board Member of the I Have a Dream Foundation, Health Committee member of the Greater L.A. Chamber of Commerce, Advisory Board Member of "Taking The Reigns" organization, Delegate to the United States Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Advisory Board Member of The East Los Angeles Learning Center - Literacy Programs and member of several other Chambers of Commerce throughout the State.

Amongst other awards, Rita has received the "Friend of Baldwin Park" Award and the "President's Award" from the Baldwin Park Chamber of Commerce. She is a past recipient of the prestigious award "Citizen of the Year" from the City of Baldwin Park and received commendations acknowledging her community involvement from The U.S. Congress, The California State Legislature and the City of Los Angeles. The Mexican Consulate has recognized Rita for her involvement in the Binational Health Week as part of the US-Mexico Health Initiative.

As a small business owner and community leader, Rita truly believes in the importance of volunteerism, helping the less fortunate and expanding educational opportunities for young people. Rita is the founder of the educational conference "Believe in Your Dreams", an annual conference which bring together hundreds of middle school students with mentors and leaders in different career paths to share their successful stories. Rita lives in San Dimas, California with her husband Martin Gallegos.