Key Facts

• Professionally bilingual

• Long time Commerce resident and currently serving as Commissioner of City of Commerce

• Advocated for and introduced multiple proposals including Annual Community Day of Service in Observance of MLK

• Board Member of National Women's Political Caucus

• Member of California Women Lead

• Strong leader with 10 years of experience in the field of Social Services and Public Policy

• Extensive leadership and management experience in College Education Counseling and Financial Aid

• Masters in Public Policy and Social Work from University of Pennsylvania

• Bachelors in Political Science and Spanish Literature from University of Southern California. 

• Researched and published papers internationally (South Africa, Hong Kong, etc.)

• Avid follower of topics involving history, domestic and international politics, current affairs, community leadership and social innovation

• Energetic and talented with unrelenting passion for helping community and advocating for Commerce residents

• A true community innovator you have been waiting for

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Early in life, Joanna Flores, made the pledge to work arduously for the betterment of her local communities. She decided to explore her calling through unique experiences and education in the fields of public policy and compliance. Joanna has pursued her interests through different activities, academics, research and employment in the areas of education, housing, homelessness and child welfare, in the past years.

In 1975, Joanna’s parents, Elias and Estela, met and settled in Los Angeles after immigrating to the United States. Elias, descendant from El Salvador, and Estela, from Mexico, left their home countries in search of the American Dream. Joanna was the first of eight siblings to graduate from college and was also the first in her family to attend graduate school. In 2004, she graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a dual degree in Political Science and Spanish; she, then, immediately began work that summer as a Financial Aid Counselor at USC continuing her commitment and dedication to education. 

As a Financial Aid Counselor, Joanna had the opportunity to travel to numerous local high schools and community colleges facilitating bilingual presentations and counseling students and families about financial aid options.  In this role, Joanna worked closely with first generation students and Spanish-speaking families.  After two years as Financial Aid Counselor and prior to that five years as Assistant College Counselor at Belmont High School, Joanna left the education field to work on one of the leading social issues affecting our country through the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in the policy and planning department. 

Joanna, as Planning Associate helped advocate for the needs of the homeless population in Los Angeles County by promoting innovative and effective program and policy changes.  She assisted with the planning and execution of the 2007 Homeless Count project and also helped publish a study addressing critical issues and solutions to the exigent problem of homelessness in Los Angeles County. After her short tenure at LAHSA, Joanna dedicated to social support and transformation went on to complete her Masters degrees in Public Policy and Social Work at the University of Pennsylvania.

While at the University of Pennsylvania, Joanna had the opportunity to not only research and evaluate social problems locally; she was also able to examine ‘best practice’ models that help eradicate social inequities internationally.  Joanna’s educationally- and personally-enhancing trips included the opportunity to study at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa the summer of 2008.  Upon an invitation to the 2009 Social Work and Social Development Conference, Joanna traveled to Hong Kong to present some of her research regarding unaccompanied alien children’s treatment and rights when entering the United States illegally.

Following her graduation from the University of Pennsylvania, Joanna went to work for the Department of Human Services in the city of Philadelphia as a Foster Care Social Worker.  For two years, Joanna worked providing direct services and advocating for the children and youth in the foster care system. In this capacity, she learned how to work with different systems to improve the lives and well being of the children and youth in foster care. 

In 2011, Joanna returned to her home state of California and passionately resumed immersion in the education field as a College Counselor. Today, she remains steadfast to education and exposure for youth.  She is currently working on research regarding AB540 students’ access to higher education and she hopes to publish next summer.  Joanna has gathered a unique set of skills and knowledge on how to develop and implement policies that positively impact the daily lives of individuals from her work experience and academic preparation. These same set of skills will help her serve the hardworking Commerce citizens as City Council and help positively support the city’s agenda.