Nina Duarte
Scholarship Committee Chair
BIOGRAPHY
Magdalena “Nina” Duarte, a dedicated community leader, began her journey from Jalisco to the United States at age 7, which ignited her passion for civil rights. For over 50 years, she was a resident of Ventura County, where she actively participated in various committees aimed at enhancing and promoting public and higher education, business opportunities for minorities, women’s and children’s rights, and farm workers’ rights. Ms. Duarte was a founding member of the Adopt-a-Computer Program at Oxnard Community College, was appointed to the board at Oxnard Community College Foundation, a founding member of the Oxnard Downtown Development District, a member of the Grants Committee for the Ventura County Community Foundation, a founding member of the Community Funding Committee for Cesar Chavez School and Library, a committee member for Ventura County School Linked Services-Healthy Start, contributed support to the Ventura County On-Site School Dental Treatment Program, a founding member of the Oxnard Police Foundation, and a founding member of the Ventura County Rebozo Festival. Additionally, Ms. Duarte served as Woman Commissioner for Ventura County from 1993 to 1997. In 1999, she received the National ACTIVA Award for Community Service and Outstanding Financial Industry Service. In 2008, Nationally was one of the recipients of the Latina Style Ana Maria Arias Memorial Award for Entrepreneurial Business Excellence. Ms. Duarte received a scholarship to attend Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in 2009, receiving her MBA. Since moving to the Coachella Valley in 2012, she has continued her community involvement.
