Gina Ponce was born in New York City and is the daughter of parents who were from Puerto Rico. Ponce has been in Omaha, Neb., for over 30 years serving the Latino community. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and Human Resources and a Master of Arts in Communication from Bellevue University.
Ponce has always prided herself in helping others. She is currently the Director of Latino Community Outreach at the El Camino Latino Center, which serves students, their families and the Latino community. The Center is located on the campus of Bellevue University. Prior to this position, Ponce worked at the Salvation Army Kroc Center as the Education and Arts Director. Ponce also serves as the President of Women on a Mission for Change, a nonprofit serving women and girls in the area of leadership for 13 years.
Ponce’s latest endeavor includes launching Planning Strategically – a business to help nonprofits and small businesses with their strategic plans. Ponce attributes her success to planning and working with the right people at the right times.
Ponce currently serves on the Kids Can, Nebraska Mediation Association and South Omaha Community Council boards. Ponce graduated from LeadDiversity, a program through Inclusive Communities and will continue to assist organizations in the areas of diversity and inclusion.
Ponce has received the Ethical Leadership Award, Women of Color Leadership Award, Latina of the Year Award, Tribute to Women Award and many others.
Ponce’s advice to others is do in life for others; but do for yourself first. She encourages others to share their knowledge and wisdom with all those who are coming up in the world and to work together as a united front. Honesty, ethically and with integrity is still her way of doing things, no matter what the results are.
Gina has two sons, one granddaughter and one grandson.