California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Maria S. Salinas serves as a role model for young leaders across Southern California. As president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Salinas is the first woman and Latina to lead the largest business association in Los Angeles County. She is inspired by the goal of reducing, and ultimately eliminating, the challenges facing under-represented groups.

Ms. Salinas is committed to all aspects of public policy as well as growth in emerging sectors and global expansion. An advocate for higher education at the state and national level, she understands and appreciates the unique role that the three million California State University graduates play in advancing greater economic and social mobility. Ms. Salinas graduated with a bachelor of science in accounting from Loyola Marymount University.

In her leadership role with the Chamber, she is a voice for more than 1,600 member companies serving the interests of more than 235,000 businesses across the region. Ms. Salinas also represents the Los Angeles business community in statewide policy initiatives through the Coalition of Regional Economic Association Leaders. She is a member of the board of directors of Mobility 21, a regional transportation effort. She currently serves alongside California State Polytechnic University, Pomona President Soraya M. Coley on Governor Newsom's Future of Work Commission and is committed to advancing lifelong learning and quality public education.

In recognition of her distinguished career and advocacy on behalf of higher education, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California Polytechnic State University, Pomona are proud to confer upon Ms. Maria S. Salinas the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.