Fond farewell: In celebrating Sandy Ramiro's Red Cross career and retirement, her send-off event reflected on her more than four decades of service supporting volunteers, families and communities across Guam. (Photos courtesy of Sandy Ramiro)
Mimi Teller/American Red Cross
Born and raised on Guam, of Chamorro and Irish Filipino heritage, American Red Cross Pacific Island Region’s Sandy Ramiro built a career defined by service, humility and deep respect for the community that shaped her. The second oldest of eight children, she grew up in a home where her parents taught her to help others and never forget where she came from, values that anchored one of the longest tenures in the history of the Red Cross Guam Chapter.
As we honor Women’s History Month this March, Red Cross celebrates Ramiro for her decades of leadership, her unwavering commitment to the people of Guam, and the example she set for future generations of humanitarian leaders.
Ramiro joined the organization in 1983 as a secretary and steadily advanced through roles including Emergency Services Director, Acting Manager and Deputy Executive Officer. She served alongside five executive directors and became a trusted source of continuity during leadership transitions. Her operational expertise and cultural fluency made her a constant and reliable presence for volunteers, partners, and families seeking support.
Her leadership was especially visible after Typhoon Mawar in 2023. Ramiro supported the mobilization of 380 Red Cross workers, the delivery of financial assistance to 27,700 residents, and the logistics that helped move 342,000 meals to survivors and responders. She worked closely with local vendors to secure food, fuel, lodging and essential supplies when communication and transportation were most strained, helping ensure relief reached families across the island.
“I am grateful for the wealth of experience I have garnered in all lines of [Red Cross] service,” said Ramiro. “And thankful to have worked alongside the dedicated volunteers in furthering the cause of our Red Cross organization.”
Her commitment extended far beyond disaster operations. She oversaw the renovation of the Guam Chapter headquarters after Mawar, helped establish the Disaster Leave Law with the Government of Guam and strengthened disaster action teams across northern, central, and southern villages. In service to military families, she helped establish a permanent satellite office at Andersen Air Force Base and expand programs that support health, readiness, and resiliency.
For 23 years, she coordinated the Red Ball Gala, transforming the celebration into one of Guam’s signature community events.
Ramiro retired at the end of February 2026, closing a 43‑year chapter of service defined by dedication to volunteers, partners and the people of Guam she served throughout her career.
Through every response, every partnership and every challenge, Ramiro says her greatest pride has always been the people she served.
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 CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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