Lorena Gonzalez
In January of 2008, Lorena Gonzalez became the secretary-treasurer and CEO for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The Labor Council is a coalition of 125 local unions that represent more than 189,000 working families in the region. Upon her election, Lorena became the first woman and first person of color to serve as head of the Labor Council since the organization’s inception in 1902.
The daughter of an immigrant farmworker and a nurse, Lorena learned the value of hard work and determination at an early age. After graduating from Vista High School in North San Diego County, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Stanford University, a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University and a Law Degree from UCLA.
Prior to coming to the Labor Council, Lorena worked as the Senior Advisor to California’s Lt. Governor. She served as a consultant to the Commission on Economic Development, and was the Lt. Governor’s principal advisor on policy issues dealing with labor, the environment, energy and infrastructure. Lorena was also the Lt. Governor’s appointee to the California State Lands Commission from 2000 to 2006, and served as an alternate to the Coastal Commission in 2007 and 2008.
A member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 36, Lorena worked as the Labor Council’s Political Director before being elected Secretary-Treasurer. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors for the California League of Conservation Voters, the Center for Policy Initiatives, the Environmental Health Coalition and the United Way of San Diego. Lorena also serves on the Executive Council of the state California Labor Federation as a Vice President.
Nonetheless, Lorena’s most cherished title is that of mother. She lives in Pacific Beach with her two children – Tierra and Antonio.