Our History

Founded by Dorene C. Dominguez in honor of her father, H. Frank Dominguez, the organization is rooted in his belief that education is a pathway to success and that young people flourish when supported by family. His philosophy continues to shape everything we do.

Dorene C. Dominguez

Dorene C. Dominguez is the Chairwoman and CEO of the Vanir Group of Companies, a national leader in program and construction management. After succeeding her father, H. Frank Dominguez, she became one of the most influential Latina business leaders in the country and made history as the first Latina NBA team owner as part of the Sacramento Kings ownership group.

Alongside her business leadership, Dorene is deeply committed to education and social impact. She serves as a Hesburgh Trustee at the University of Notre Dame and sits on the advisory council for the university’s Institute for Latino Studies, where she champions access and equity for underserved communities.

In 2004, she founded The Dominguez Dream in memory of her father, driven by a deep belief that all students, regardless of background, deserve access to quality education and the tools to pursue their goals. Her passion for uplifting underserved youth continues to shape the mission of the organization. Through her leadership and vision, Dorene ensures that her father’s legacy lives on by empowering the next generation to dream big and succeed.

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H. Frank Dominguez

H. Frank Dominguez was a visionary entrepreneur and civic leader who founded the Vanir Group of Companies in San Bernardino in 1964 at the age of 25. Frank Dominguez served in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Germany, where he met his wife. From these modest beginnings, he built a successful firm in real estate development, design-build lease, and construction services across the nation.

Frank Dominguez’s legacy extends far beyond business. He was widely recognized for his philanthropic leadership; named Hispanic Businessman of the Year by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, appointed to the California Commission for Economic Development by the governor, and invited to advisory roles under multiple U.S. presidents. A founding board member of both the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the New America Alliance, he helped shape national conversations around Latino leadership and opportunity.

Throughout his life, H. Frank Dominguez remained deeply committed to uplifting underserved youth and educational access. His guiding philosophy: economic progress should be matched with giving back, which is materialized in scholarships, work programs, and support initiatives for disadvantaged schools. In recognition of his lifelong service, the New America Alliance posthumously awarded him their Lifetime Achievement Award in Philanthropy and named their annual philanthropist honor after him.