Nerie Mati is a native of Delano, California. Her father worked as a farmworker in pineapple, sugar cane, citrus, asparagus, and vineyards his entire life. This is where she learned to value the hardships of farmworkers working hard to provide for their families. Following in her mother’s footsteps, she became an educator and graduated from Cal State University, Bakersfield. After 28 years of elementary teaching, she retired from the Delano Union Elementary School District and is currently working as a full-time realtor in Kern County. She is married to Edgar, a retired crew foreman, who worked in the vineyards for over 37 years with Pandol & Sons and Jaguar Labor Contracting.
Growing up and working in a predominantly farm labor city has provided Nerie the passion to always give back to the community through her kindness and service to help, whenever needed. One of her desires is to help farmworkers improve their lives through education for themselves and their children by providing them with the knowledge of programs and services available. Nerie is very thankful for the opportunity to serve as part of the Board of Directors for CFF and will continue to help the foundation fulfill its goals and objectives.
Some of her hobbies are reading, enjoying the outdoors for relaxation, and being a wife and mother to her family.