Notable business leader Dorene C. Dominguez kicked off the inaugural presentation of the Presidential Distinguished Lecture Series discussing “The Impact of Women Entrepreneurs.”

Dominguez, chairwoman and CEO of Vanir Construction Management and the Vanir Group of Companies Inc., shared her thoughts on women in business, her career and other topics on Oct. 2 in the Santos Manuel Student Union Theater with Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales.

“Women entrepreneurs have a different perspective, and bring a different conversation into the narrative. We look at things differently,” Dominguez said. “And Pew Research had mentioned that women tend to be more transformative leaders, meaning that we’re more active listeners, we care about the development of others.”

Diversity in a corporate setting is essential, she said. “It’s very important that you don’t have groupthink in a corporation. You want someone who’s going to challenge the narrative, and make sure that there’s different conversation.”

“The Distinguished Lecture Series aims to showcase visionary leaders and influential voices from diverse fields who are redefining the boundaries of knowledge and inspiring generations to come,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales in announcing the series, which will take place every October.

A native of San Bernardino and graduate of Colton High School, Dominguez has been the chairwoman and CEO of Vanir Construction Management and the Vanir Group of Companies, Inc. since 2004. The companies were founded in 1964 by her father, H. Frank Dominguez, in San Bernardino. Under her leadership, Dominguez has successfully positioned Vanir as a national leader in program, project and construction management, and real estate development, delivering nearly $26 billion in value to clients across the United States. Headquartered in Sacramento, the firm has 22 offices nationwide. Dominguez also added that 64 percent of her staff is made up of women and minorities.

Dominguez founded The Dominguez Dream in memory of her late father in 2004. The organization is committed to empowering children in underserved communities to achieve their full potential through literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math), social-emotional learning and parent engagement programs. Among the 12 schools receiving steadfast support from The Dominguez Dream is the H. Frank Dominguez Elementary School in San Bernardino, which opened its doors in 2014.

Morales described Dominguez as “a daughter of San Bernardino. Her love for the city of San Bernardino is unquestioned. And anytime I speak with Dorene, it’s all about San Bernardino, it’s about Cal State San Bernardino, it’s about the children of San Bernardino.”

From left, CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, Dorene C. Dominguez, state Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes and state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh
From left, CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales, Dorene C. Dominguez, state Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes and state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh.

An active member of various community improvement projects, boards and commissions, Dominguez currently serves on the board of directors for Douglas Emmett, KB Home, and the Aspen Institute’s Latinos and Society Program Advisory Board. She also serves on the board of trustees for the University of Notre Dame and is the former chair of the advisory council of the university’s Institute for Latino Studies. She serves as a board member of PRIDE Industries, which helps people with disabilities retain jobs and independent lifestyles.

Dominguez is the first and only Latina to be a governor of an NBA team and is a shareholder of the Sacramento Kings.

She is the recipient of numerous awards including the Inland Empire Hispanic Leadership Council’s Legend Award in 2015, the Cardinal’s Award in 2019 and the 2022 Angel Award from the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders. In 2016, she was honored as Hispanic Lifestyle’s Latina of Influence and in 2020 was named one of America’s Top 50 Most Powerful Latinas by the Association of Latino Professionals.

Dominguez graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in finance and holds a certificate in Corporate Governance from Harvard University. In 2023, she was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by CSUSB.

During the program, state Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes and state Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh presented Dominguez a proclamation from both houses in state Legislature recognizing her career and contributions to the community. Morales also presented her with a framed certificate and confirmation of her honorary doctorate.

The entire presentation can be viewed online at “Presidential Lecture Series – CSUSB.”

Dorene C. Dominguez (left) reacts as CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales presents her with a framed copy of her honorary doctorate certificate. Dominguez was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by CSUSB at the May 2023 Commencement.
Dorene C. Dominguez (left) reacts as CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales presents her with a framed copy of her honorary doctorate certificate. Dominguez was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by CSUSB at the May 2023 Commencement.