January 2007
story by Patricia Quan
As president and chief executive of the Orange County Business Council, Lucy Dunn ’76 (B.A. political science) represents and promotes the business community, in collaboration with government and academia, to enhance Orange County’s economic development and prosperity.
Dunn has worked in a variety of occupations, ranging from law to real estate to government work. Two years ago, Dunn worked as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s housing director. In November 2005, she was offered her current position with the Orange County Business Council.
While working as a full-time businesswoman, Dunn also had to juggle her role as the mother of two sons. When asked about her experiences as a full-time working mother, Dunn replied, “It’s very difficult. To the working mother: don’t miss the Little League games or the soccer matches; be there for your children. You don’t get those years back, no matter how hard you juggle. When you’re with your children, you’re worried about the office, and vice versa.
“What I am finding is that it is no longer unique to women; men are now doing it, too. Don’t miss those important times with your family just because of your job – put family first.” Dunn considers raising her two sons into contributing individuals in the workforce to be her greatest achievement.
From the career perspective, she believes her success in negotiating with 10 state and federal agencies on selling private land at Bolsa Chica to the state of California to be preserved as wetlands to be one of her many notable feats. Due to the extent of damage done to the wetlands, Dunn also was able to help establish funding sources to restore the land. “We actually helped to devise a plan to have the wetlands restored,” she said proudly.
Dunn recently joined the philanthropic foundation at Cal State Fullerton, and remains connected through the Orange County Business Council, as CSUF provides OCBC with research and polling. President Milton A. Gordon serves on the board of directors for OCBC as well. 
