About Lenora

Lenora Sorola-Pohlman is a second-generation native Houstonian, was born and raised in

Houston’s East End barrio. Lenora has been a licensed insurance broker since 1996, a small

business owner of Sorola Insurance Services LLC and currently works with Navarro Insurance

Group. She began her career at Travelers Insurance in the late 80’s during the HMO boom,

Lenora brings with her over thirty years of experience in the insurance industry. She has

worked both with carriers and brokers and has performed many roles from implementation to

management to sales.

Lenora began working at the City of Houston in 1980 and it was here that she realized how few

women held positions of leadership. Lenora developed an interest in what has now become a

life-long passion for community activism, mentorship and the empowerment of others. Over the

years, Lenora has worked diligently in the community by giving voices to the voiceless on issues

affecting the Hispanic community, women, children, and families. The importance of unity and

mentorship became core values for Lenora, and as she became more involved in her

community, she realized that it was no longer acceptable for a woman to just have a “seat” at

the table, but that she must also be “heard” at the table.

Lenora serves her community, giving countless hours back to her church, local civic

organizations, non-profit and business community. She is currently serving as Co-Chair of

Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Hispanic Advisory Board (MHAB) and has served as a MHAB board

member to the past five Mayors of Houston; the Chair for the City Park TIRZ #12; as a Trustee

and Vice President for the Houston Foundation, City of Houston; the President-Elect of the

Women Contractors Association; a Board Member for the City of Houston’s OBO Contract

Compliance Commission; a Board Member for the METRO Hispanic Advisory Board; a Board

Member for the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC)-Governmental

Affairs Committee; a Board Member for the Hispanic Officer of the Year Committee-Houston

Police Department. She continues as an active member of the East End Chamber, Greater

Northside Chamber and Houston West Chamber.

One of Lenora’s greatest passions is the mentorship of Latinas. She has served as a mentor to

several Hispanic elected officials and continues to provide members of various organizations

with the knowledge and expertise she has gained over the years. Lenora’s hope is that they too

can learn to serve and to empower others. Lenora’s activism, reputation, and accomplishments

along with the impact she has made in the community have been recognized with the Yolanda

Black Navarro Community Legacy Award, the Comcast Hispanic Hero Award, the Houston

Estrellas de Tejas award, the Navidad En El Barrio Vida award, Woman of the Year in our

Community by Solo Mujeres Magazine, being named one of 50 Most Influential Women of 2016

by Houston Woman Magazine and in 2021 was named Top 30 Influential Women in Houston.

Lenora married John Pohlman in 1990. 

John was a Sergeant in the Houston Police Department

and retired from the force after 49 years of service. John passed away in 2020.