NOEMI DUEÑAS

Noemi Dueñas is a bilingual and bicultural behavioral health professional, organizational wellness consultant, educator, speaker and community leader with more than 20 years of experience across injury prevention, family support, behavioral health and civic engagement. She serves as Community Programs Director and Child Passenger Safety Program Director at Pacific Safety Center, where she leads grant-supported safety initiatives, program development and culturally responsive education, and she also works in Professional Education Services at Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego, supporting multidisciplinary professional learning. A nationally recognized educator and Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor, Noemi is skilled at translating complex information into practical, accessible strategies for the professionals, organizations and communities she serves.

Noemi's service reflects a deep commitment to health equity, inclusion, mentorship and community empowerment. She serves as Steering Committee Vice-Chair of the California Department of Public Health Office of Binational Border Health Advisory Group, and within a San Diego County binational health consortium, she leads the Mental Health Working Group. She is President of the ADAPT Team Resource Group at Rady Children's Hospital–San Diego, advancing disability inclusion and accessibility. Noemi also serves on the KIDZ IN MOTION Conference Planning Committee, with MANA de San Diego's Wellness Committee and mentoring initiatives, and in HOPE's Regional Alumnae Hubs.

Noemi earned an MA in Counseling Psychology, with MFT specialization and LPCC emphasis, from National University with honors. She holds a BA in Criminal Justice with a minor in Chicana and Chicano Studies from San Diego State University and an AA in Administration of Justice from Southwestern College. Her leadership education includes MANA de San Diego's Latina Success Leadership Program and HOPE's Regional Leadership Institute.

Outside work, Noemi is a mom and the "chill and fun tía," happiest with a full house of family, friends, laughter and food. She loves bringing people together, especially for camping trips to Las Cañadas in Ensenada, and at home she is happily outnumbered by six cats with distinct personalities.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/noemi-duenas/