"This is the moment we pivot and change course, this is the moment we bring back our pride, this is the moment we hit our challenges straight on and fix them, and this is the moment you get the government you deserve." - Dorinda

Dorinda Keenan Borer is a resident of our community who has been giving back to her city for her entire life. 

Born and raised in West Haven, Borer received her B.S. in Business Administration and Management at Southern Connecticut State University and her M.B.A. from the University of New Haven.

Her career consists of extensive experience including bank auditing, a National Marketing Director for a Fortune 100 company, a personnel Director for local government overseeing thousands of employees, and most recently a 4 term State Representative for West Haven’s 115th Assembly District.  In this role she has lead the Veteran’s Legislative Committee, CT’s Environmental Committee, and Chair of the Bonding where she managed a $2B Bond Bill for CT. Most recently she was appointed to the coveted Deputy Speaker for the State of CT. 

Outside of her professional work, Rep. Borer was Bailey Middle School PTA President, served on the local Board of Education from 2009–13, and founded the West Haven Early Childhood Development Commission. She served on the board of directors of the ACES and the Clifford Beers Mental Health Clinic. Most recently she founded the City’s first Food Policy Council to address the City’s food insecurity crisis. 

Her community activism also included serving on the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee and founding the West Haven Italian Street Festival in 2003, for which she was chairwoman until 2011. She also was a volunteer in early years on the Fireworks and Savin Rock Committee.  Dorinda has supported countless community events. She is a Rotarian and a member of the Elks as well. 

She has been recognized for her work by many organizations which include: 

• The West Haven Vietnam Veterans Award for her work with local veterans 
• The Statewide Firefighters Association for her advocacy and securing funding for Fire Training Buildings
• The West Haven “Irish Woman of the Year” for Community Involvement 
• The American Cancer Society for her transformational work on coverage for Breast Cancer Screenings, 
• The citywide PTA “Friends of Education” award for her dedication to education
• Both the Black Coalition & Hispanic Society for her work building better communities through diversity.
• The CT’s Environment Champion Award for leading CT’s work to promote open space and clean water

What Dorinda is most proud of however, is her son Drew!