By Aleesia Benkey, American Red Cross intern

American Red Cross of Riverside County Board Vice Chair Louise Borda joined the Red Cross in 2021, and her journey has just begun.

Louise has worked in healthcare administration for 30 years and is currently the Senior Associate Dean, Educational Operations for California University of Science and Medicine. She is also an adjunct professor of Health Sciences at California State University, San Bernardino. With the Red Cross, she has brought her passions and career into one.

Throughout her time with the Red Cross, Louise has learned more about the Red Cross response worldwide. “The level that the Red Cross remains unbiased is amazing. They step up to help anybody, anywhere,” said Louise. “It’s a wonderful culture of taking care of each other and I love being a part of it.”

As Board Vice Chair, Louise supports Red Cross volunteers, staff and her fellow board members. Louise has supported a variety of Red Cross initiatives, including blood drives at her place of employment.

Most importantly, she loves connecting with her community. The Red Cross mission is impossible without the work of volunteers and Louise loves to share stories about her work and the Red Cross impact with those around her.

Louise is inspired by the work of Red Cross disaster response teams and those that support the mission. “The people that are staffing shelters and working in the field are volunteers,” said Louise. “It restores my faith in humanity when you see what people are willing to do for a stranger. The impact is incredible.”

Louise looks forward to continuing to serve on the board and to her transition to board chair in the coming years.