Monday, October 26, 2026

ANCA Pasadena Chapter Endorses Cynthia Torres for PUSD District 7 Board Seat

The Pasadena chapter of the Armenian National Committee of America has endorsed Cynthia Torres for the District 7 seat on the Pasadena Unified School District Board of Education, the organization announced. 

“Cynthia Torres brings extensive board experience, innovative revenue-generating ideas, and a unique vision for the district. Her counseling skills can also foster harmony and collegiality,” said Marisa Sarian, treasurer of the ANCA Pasadena chapter. 

Torres said she looks forward to taking on the work the position presents, including supporting the Armenian Academies at Blair Baccalaureate and Webster Elementary schools, ANCA said. 

“I am honored to be endorsed by the ANCA – Pasadena Chapter. I have a fundamental perspective as to what it would take to improve and elevate the district,” Torres said. Torres is calling for a community-centered “middle path” as the district faces declining enrollment, the end of one-time pandemic funding, rising costs and the impact of the Eaton Fire, the chapter said. 

“Pasadena Unified is at an important financial and strategic crossroads,” Torres said. 

ANCA said Torres has urged the board to delay major school consolidation decisions and use the rest of the year to hear from the community about its priorities. Her top priorities are financial sustainability, new revenue streams, and college and career opportunities. 

Torres has 11 years of school district finance experience with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, where she served on the Financial Oversight Committee, including as its chair, and reviewed a $220 million budget, the chapter said. In 2018-19, she served on the PUSD Citizens Oversight Committee. 

She founded College Decisions LLC, which has advised students on college admissions for more than 15 years, and earlier held senior roles at Goldman Sachs, First Interstate Bank and Fidelity Investments, the chapter said. 

Torres is also endorsed by the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Teamsters Joint Council 42 and the Pasadena-Foothills Association of Realtors, among others, the chapter said. Her backers include Rep. Julia Brownley, state Sen. Ben Allen and former PUSD Superintendent Brian McDonald. 

For more about Torres, visit https://www.torres4pusd.com/