By Cal Lutheran NewsCERF releases ground-breaking U.S. Latina GDP Report
The Center for Economic Research and Forecasting (CERF) has discovered that U.S. Latina GDP has doubled since 2010 to reach $1.3 trillion in 2021. Furthermore, “the total economic output of Hispanic Females in 2021 is larger than the entire economy of the state of Florida. In fact, only the GDPs of California, Texas or New York are larger.”
That revolutionary finding was presented by Matthew Fienup, CERF’s executive director, in the first-ever Bank of America U.S. Latina GDP Report released in August 2024. The report sheds light on the extraordinary impact of Latinas on the economy, with the group contributing to major growth areas in total economic output, labor force participation and more.
“These daughters and granddaughters of immigrants combine the extraordinary and selfless work ethic of their elders.”
Matthew Fienup, CERF’s executive director
Fienup produced CERF’s findings alongside researchers Dan Hamilton, PhD, CERF director of economics; David Hayes-Bautista, PhD, director of the Center for the Study of Latino Health and Culture at the School of Medicine, UCLA.; and Paul Hsu, PhD, epidemiologist at the Fielding School of Public Health.
Other highlights of the report include the Latina GDP growing 2.7 times the growth of non-Hispanic GDP and the Latina component of the U.S. labor force growing more than 12 times that of non-Hispanic females.
“This population of Latinas entering the U.S. labor force during our period of study are overwhelmingly second- and third-generation Americans,” Fienup said. “These daughters and granddaughters of immigrants combine the extraordinary and selfless work ethic of their elders with the rapid growth of human capital, propelling not just Latina GDP but overall GDP growth in the U.S.”
Provost named Educational Leader of the Year
Leanne Neilson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, has been named as the 2025 Educational Leader of the Year by the Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA).
The accolade comes after over 30 years of service at Cal Lutheran. She first served as a psychology faculty member for 11 years, participating in faculty governance, and shifted into administration later in her career. Neilson was hired as provost in 2009.
Nielsen is one of six community members to receive the award, with recipients spanning from business, education, nonprofit and public sectors of the county. The association was founded by former Board of Regents member Priscilla Partridge de Garcia in 1994.
As provost, Neilson oversees all areas of Academic Affairs, working alongside deans and program leaders to monitor services responsible for facilitating student success. Neilson says the award can be attributed to her longevity in the administrative role and her involvement in local community organizations.
In addition to performing outside accreditation work for neighboring universities, Neilson volunteers her time serving on the board of TOArts and as a member of United Way’s Women United, an organization providing scholarships for single mothers in poverty to obtain their bachelor’s degrees.
Neilson will accept her award at the 22nd Annual VCLA Journey to Leadership Awards on April 24.
President in the Rose Parade
Cal Lutheran Interim President John A. Nunes welcomed the new year in grand fashion as he rode on the Lutheran Hour Ministries float during the 136th Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Themed “Behold! Jesus the Savior is Born,” the float served as a vibrant Christian witness, celebrating Jesus’ birth and key moments from his life through beautifully crafted stained-glass windows adorning the float’s church design.
Reflecting on the experience, Nunes shared, “I have sore arms from waving, a sore face from smiling, and a hoarse voice after a day of Rose Bowl Parade greetings.” Along the 5.5-mile route through Pasadena, Nunes, donning Cal Lutheran attire, greeted an estimated one million spectators lining the streets, with millions more watching on television.
Accompanied by the song “It’s Christmas” by Chris Tomlin, the float featured two heralding angels and traditional Christmas imagery, reinforcing its powerful message of faith and joy. The effort was made possible by the dedication of the Lutheran Hour Ministries Float Committee, the Southern California District Lutheran Laymen’s League and volunteers known as the Petal Pushers. The float was this year’s only Christian-themed entry and was the 74th year of entries by Lutheran Hour Ministries.
“I have sore arms from waving, a sore face from smiling, and a hoarse voice after a day of Rose Bowl Parade greetings.”
John A. Nunes, Cal Lutheran’s interim president
For Nunes, one of the highlights of the day was hearing a familiar voice from the crowd — his wife, Monique, whose enthusiastic support could be heard even amid the roar of the parade. Next year, the pair plans on bringing Cal Lutheran students to help decorate the float before the parade.
Brian Fahnestock named interim CFO
Brian Fahnestock has been named Cal Lutheran’s interim vice president of Administration and Finance and chief financial officer. His appointment began Jan. 6 and will continue while the university searches for a permanent CFO.
In the interim CFO role, he will oversee Cal Lutheran’s financial operations, including budgeting, financial planning, facility management and resource allocation. He replaces former CFO Rick Ysasi, who now works for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Fahnestock has worked in finance and accounting for over 30 years, including 15 years in higher education institutions. Most recently, he served as acting assistant superintendent/vice president of Business Services at Santa Barbara City College.
Interim President John A. Nunes said Fahnestock’s multiple stints as an interim executive at schools such as UC Irvine, El Camino College, San Francisco State University and the Ventura County Community College District, have helped him develop the ability to quickly assess and understand an environment, lead action-oriented initiatives and help organizations in transition set the groundwork for success.
Fahnestock’s academic credentials include an MS in administration with a concentration in finance from the Naval Postgraduate School and a BA in political science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
ACFC opens training center at Cal Lutheran
Cal Lutheran is now home to the largest training facility in professional women’s soccer in the United States. Angel City Football Club (ACFC) cut the ribbon Jan. 21 on the new 50,000-square-foot, high-performance training center.
The center opened three months after striking a deal with university officials to lease nine acres on the north side of campus formerly used by the Los Angeles Rams.
“This is more than a place to train,” ACFC president and co-founder Julie Uhrman said. “It’s a symbol of our commitment to building a championship-level experience for our players and staff so they can perform at their best, removing all distractions and excuses.”
Established in 2020, the National Women’s Soccer League franchise has practiced at Cal Lutheran since 2022. Their collaboration is “invaluable,” Uhrman said.
“Through our partnership, we’ve been able to work with (Cal Lutheran) and your staff as well as your students and talk about the future of sports and the world that they can play in,” she said at the event. “So, to be able to extend our relationship with you for many more years is something I’m really excited about and pleased to do.”
Before moving in, the team completed a multimillion-dollar custom remodel that included creating one-and-a-half soccer fields, integrating cutting-edge performance and sports science technology and constructing a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy area featuring cold and hot plunge pools and saunas. Existing facilities also received upgrades, including the 5,400-square-foot gym, 3,400-square-foot medical treatment area and 930-square-foot film room.
“This state-of-the-art performance center, let’s be clear, sets the bar, but it really should be the norm,” said Willow Bay. She and her husband Bob Iger, CEO of the Walt Disney Company, are the franchise’s majority owners.
The performance center will operate year-round and serve ACFC first-team players and their developmental team and staff.
Angel City is an inspiration to students and staff, said Cal Lutheran Interim President John Nunes at the event.
“It’s not a coincidence that our women’s soccer team won the national championship last year,” he said. “We are inspired by you and by this partnership. We are inspired by the alignment of values.”
