Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors govern our non-profit organization through executive decisions that determine our future. They are responsible for ensuring all activities we facilitate or participate in advance our long-term goals and community values.
Eduardo Garcia
Assemblymember
56th Assembly District
Eduardo Garcia represents California's 56th Assembly District, which includes cities and unincorporated communities in eastern Riverside County and Imperial County.
A product of local public schools, Garcia graduated from Coachella Valley High School and the University of California, Riverside. He also completed the "Senior Executives in State and Local Government" Public Administration program from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. He later earned a Master's Degree from the University of Southern California School of Policy, Planning and Development.
Christy Holstege
Mayor
Palm Springs
Christy Holstege is the Mayor of Palm Springs. She is also a civil rights attorney, community lawyer, and women's rights activist. Christy serves on the board of directors for Women Leaders Forum, Well in the Desert, Democratic Women of the Desert, and Shadylane Mobilehome Park.
She earned a J.D. from Stanford Law School and a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from UC Santa Barbara.
Melina Duarte
Principal Consultant
MYDuarte Consulting, LLC
Melina Duarte is the founder and Principal Consultant of MyDuarte Group, LLC. Melina is also a political strategist who has a passion for working with progressive candidates and campaigns to shape messaging and advise on strategic courses of action.
She received her B.A. in Social Science from the University of California, Irvine.
Ernie Rios
Vice President of College Success
OneFuture Coachella Valley
Ernie Rios is Vice President of College Success at OneFuture Coachella Valley, a collective impact non-profit that aligns resources to help students graduate prepared for college, career, and life. In addition, Ernie serves on the Thermal Community Council and has consulted for Latinx business owners.
He graduated from College of the Desert and the University of California, Los Angeles. He received his MBA degree from the Richard J. Heckmann International Center for Entrepreneurial Management at the University of California at Riverside, Palm Desert Campus.
Aurora Salvidar
Communications Director
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia
Aurora Saldivar is the Communications Director for State Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. Previously, she held positions at the Indio Chamber of Commerce and for the California Democratic Party’s campaign to elect Congressman Ruiz. She serves as a Board Member and previous Chair of the Coachella Chamber of Commerce, part of the regional Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Born and raised in Thermal, California, Aurora is committed to uplifting the Eastern Coachella Valley. As a Leadership Coachella Valley alumnus, she remains an active supporter of local businesses, economic development, and efforts to build a new generation of engaged community leaders.
Brenda Marquez
Educator
Desert Mirage High School
Brenda Marquez has been teaching since 2002 for the Coachella Valley Unified School District. While at CVUSD she has served as a science department chair, ASB advisor, Student facilitator and mentor teacher.
She graduated with a B.S. from California State University, San Bernardino. She completed her multiple and single subject credential at Chapman University. She also received her M.S. in School Psychology and PSP counseling credential from Concordia University, Irvine.