“Ever since we were founded in 1991, Art has been instrumental in the success of the Mexican American Bar Foundation and our mission to enhance the diversity of the legal profession through education,” said Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha, the foundation’s president. “He has helped us award scholarships totaling nearly $1.5 million to support the education of young women and men of Latino heritage who are determined to pursue careers in the law.”
Ochoa practiced corporate and tax law at two of Los Angeles’ most respected firms, O’Melveny & Myers LLP and Irell & Manella LLP, prior to joining Cedars-Sinai in 2001. In 2004, Ochoa was appointed to his current position as the medical center’s Senior Vice President of Community Relations and Development, and Chief Development Officer. Ochoa oversees all the health system’s communications, marketing, fundraising and community benefit programs, including free community health screening and healthcare programs for children, the elderly and underserved neighborhoods in Los Angeles County.
“Art is a key leader in Cedars-Sinai’s mission to serve the community and advance high-quality health care and medical research, and, as this award signifies, his volunteer efforts with the Mexican American Bar Foundation and other organizations have further strengthened the many communities touched by his work,” said Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai.
The foundation’s Professional Achievement Award recognizes those who have provided distinguished service to the legal profession, the Southern California community and the Latino community. Previous recipients include Martha Saucedo, executive vice president for AEG and Edith Ramirez, commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission.
In addition to Ochoa, honorees at the foundation’s 2014 gala included Michael C. Camuñez, president of ManattJones Global Strategies LLC and partner, Manatt Phelps & Phillips LLP, and Val Zavala, Emmy-winning journalist and vice president of News and Public Affairs at KCET. Entrepreneur and Emmy-winning newscaster Michele Ruiz served as emcee. A lifelong Southern Californian, Ochoa graduated from Downey High School, where he is a member of the school’s Hall of Fame. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and his law degree from Yale Law School. # # #
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