Edith Duarte, based in Reno, leads the day-to-day operations of Western Public Affairs, bringing 15 years of experience in legislative strategy, public policy, and research. She began her career in 2009 as a legislative intern in the Assembly Leadership office, and by 2011, was working full-time at a lobbying firm. In 2013, she joined the State of Nevada Health Division, further grounding her expertise in public systems and regulatory policy.
An entrepreneur at heart, Edith co-founded Horne-Duarte Government and Public Affairs with William Horne in 2015. Together, they represented a diverse portfolio of clients across industries in Carson City. In 2018, she joined Strategies 360 and rose to Vice President before co-founding Western Public Affairs.
As an experienced government affairs professional, Edith represents multinational corporations, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations. Her knowledge of the policy landscape, combined with a strong understanding of urban and rural communities across the Southwest, allows her to lead informed strategies in public outreach, advocacy, and communications.
Edith holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a master’s in public administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. A native Spanish speaker, she is deeply committed to public service and civic engagement. She is co-founder and Northern Nevada Chair of the Nevada Latino Lobbyist Association, adjunct faculty at Truckee Meadows Community College—where she was also named 2024 Alumni of the Year—and a board member of the Community Health Alliance Foundation. In 2024, she was honored as one of Reno-Tahoe Young Professionals Network’s 20 Under 40 award recipients.