BAKERSFIELD (Oct. 1, 2025) – The American Red Cross Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter is pleased to announce the appointment of Isabel Bravo-Perez as the chairperson of its board of directors.

Isabel Bravo-Perez is a Safety & Health Manager with The Zenith Insurance, with a notable and accomplished career of over twenty-five years as an Environmental, Health and Safety professional. Throughout her career, she has been instrumental in developing and implementing various safety programs, demonstrating her passion for collaborating with employees and management to enhance workplace safety. Bravo-Perez brings a deep commitment to community service, decades of leadership experience, and a passion for building connections that strengthen and uplift local communities.

In addition to serving as Vice Chair of the Red Cross Kern County and the Eastern Sierra Chapter’s board of directors since 2021, Bravo-Perez has served on the Red Cross Latino Engagement Team and as chair of the Philanthropy, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Mission and Outreach committees, working side-by-side with the chapter’s Executive Director, Hector Vazquez.

“Isabel has been an exceptional member of our board, and we are thrilled to welcome her into this new leadership position,” said Hector Vazquez, executive director. “Isabel has dedicated the past five years to serving the Board of Directors and dedicating time to organizing Sound the Alarm campaigns, conducting preparedness presentations for local youth, and participating in many other community events to advance our mission. I am excited to continue to work with Isabel to deliver care and comfort in the face of human suffering.”

Bravo-Perez has been a Red Cross board member since 2020, in addition to serving as a leader for the Bakersfield American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Chapter for over two decades. Instrumental in the creation of the Bakersfield Women in Safety Excellence (WISE) group and the Women in Agriculture professional group, Isabel is committed to help prepare the next generation of safety professionals and promote the inclusion of women and minorities in the industry.

 “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community alongside a remarkable group of dedicated volunteers,” said Isabel Bravo-Perez, Health and Safety Manager, The Zenith Insurance. “Together, we help our communities prepare for disasters and provide comfort and support when they need it most.”

Bravo-Perez will step into the role previously filled by Carolyn Forster, who led the board for the last five years.

The American Red Cross of Kern County and Eastern Sierra Chapter volunteer board includes civic and corporate leaders from a range of professional backgrounds that serve nearly a million people across Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties. The Red Cross provides vital services including disaster response, support for military families, health and safety training, and more. Board leadership plays a key role in championing these efforts and connecting communities to the Red Cross mission. A full list of members is located here.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericano.org or follow us on social media.