Congratulations to Heidi Ashcraft, who will be recognized as the 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year at the State of the City on Friday, September 25, 2026.
Since 1953, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce has selected a Distinguished Citizen of the Year whose achievements have been significant to the community and to the general welfare of the people of Torrance. Heidi exemplifies that tradition through decades of volunteerism, public service, and commitment to education, the arts, and civic engagement.
After moving to Torrance in 1978, Heidi and her husband, Dan, raised their four children, all of whom attended Torrance Unified Schools. While helping build Ashcraft Design as its Chief Financial Officer, Heidi also dedicated countless hours to serving local youth through AYSO, the PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and West Torrance Little League.
In 1995, Heidi was elected to the Torrance Unified School District Board of Education, where she served three terms. Her passion for education continued through leadership roles with the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC), the Los Angeles County School Trustees Association, and numerous educational committees focused on expanding opportunities for students.
Beyond education, Heidi has devoted her time to strengthening the Torrance community in countless ways. She served as the first woman Chair of the Torrance-South Bay YMCA Board of Managers, volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children in foster care, served on the Torrance Human Relations Committee, Torrance Cultural Arts Advisory Board, and was appointed and elected to the Torrance City Council, where she continued her lifelong commitment to public service.
Her dedication has earned numerous honors, including the Woman in Local Government Excellence Award from the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, the Daily Breeze Making A Difference Award, the Katy Geissert Award for Excellence in the Arts, and several YMCA and education service awards. These recognitions reflect a lifetime devoted to improving the lives of others and making Torrance a stronger, more connected community.
Heidi Ashcraft’s unwavering commitment to serving others has touched generations of Torrance residents. Through her leadership, volunteerism, and passion for giving back, she has helped shape the community for decades. Congratulations to Heidi Ashcraft on being named the 2026 Citizen of the Year.