Harabedian Names Retiring Planned Parenthood President and CEO as District’s 2026 Woman of the Year

Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) honored Sheri Bonner, the retiring President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, as Assembly District 41’s 2026 Woman of the Year during a ceremony on the Assembly Floor in Sacramento this month, according to a press release from Harabedian’s office.

The recognition comes during Bonner’s final month leading the Pasadena-based nonprofit before her retirement at the end of March. She has led PPPSGV since 2004, a tenure in which the organization grew from a single health center in Pasadena to five clinics serving over 60,000 patient visits annually across 24 San Gabriel Valley communities, according to the organization’s website.

Each year during Women’s History Month, members of the California State Legislature select one woman from their district for the honor, according to the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, which coordinates the ceremony. Congress designated March as Women’s History Month in 1987.

This is Harabedian’s second annual selection. In 2025, he honored Victoria Knapp, then chair of the Altadena Town Council, according to a press release from his office at the time.

“Sheri has been a champion for healthcare access and reproductive rights across the San Gabriel Valley and beyond for decades,” Harabedian said in the press release. “Her devotion to the patients of Planned Parenthood knows no bounds, and she is truly deserving of this special recognition in honor of her lifetime of service to our community.”

Both Bonner and Harabedian are Pasadena residents. PPPSGV was founded in 1933 by Pasadena residents and now operates health centers in Alhambra, Baldwin Park, Glendora, Highland Park, and Pasadena, according to the organization’s website.

Bonner has worked within the Planned Parenthood system for approximately 32 years, including prior service as chief administrative officer at the San Diego and Riverside Counties affiliate before joining PPPSGV, according to her LinkedIn profile. She has also received the Ruth Green Award, described as the highest recognition in the Planned Parenthood organization, as well as Woman of the Year honors from Congresswoman Judy Chu in 2016 and state Sen. Anthony Portantino in 2017, according to the Pasadena Outlook.

“As my time with PPPSGV comes to a close, I am thankful for the many community members and leaders who have supported me in this critical work to provide each patient who walks through our doors with the best possible care,” Bonner said in the press release.

Dipti Singh, PPPSGV’s chief legal officer, will succeed Bonner as President and CEO effective April 1, according to a separate announcement from the organization. PPPSGV is also building a new 20,000-square-foot flagship health center and headquarters at 620 N. Lake Ave. in Pasadena, expected to open later this year.

“I look forward to continuing my work in advocacy and partnering with champions like Assemblymember Harabedian to expand access to safe and legal abortion and other essential health services in California,” Bonner said in the press release.