Niña Magsaysay Rosete’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to pairing purpose with action. Born in Manila, Philippines, she moved to Chicago at age 11. A formative moment came the next year, when she read a Business Week article in which a venture capitalist described his work as “making dreams come true.” The idea took hold. She was drawn to investment banking, a path she pursued as a math and economics major at Northwestern University and through seven years in the industry.
She shifted course when her now business partner, Dawn Verdick, invited her to co-found a nonprofit to help local students connect with their vision and potential. Over the past 18 years, Niña has continued blending head and heart as an education technology entrepreneur, founding three companies focused on simplifying complex systems for educators and administrators.
It's our duty as humans - we’re called to give. Not just money. It's time, love, attention. Why would you not?
Her giving philosophy is rooted in family tradition. Instead of a birthday gift, her family celebrated her by hosting a party at a local orphanage. Her father, Alfredo, continued making annual donations there in her name until his passing. She established a scholarship in his honor at Ateneo de Manila University for students who embody STEM, creativity, and perseverance.
Niña’s connection to the Community Foundation for Monterey County began in 2009 as a participant in the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s inaugural LEAD Institute. That experience inspired a lasting relationship. In 2025, she established the Corvus Benedictus Foundation Fund, named for St. Benedict’s raven—a symbol, for her, of trust and faith. Through her donor advised fund, she supports her father’s scholarship and initiatives like the University of Tennessee’s Lone Oaks Farm project, benefiting students in rural communities.
She values the simplicity and efficiency of giving through the Foundation and contributes her time, serving on the board of Navigator Schools in Gilroy. Niña believes deeply in the power of generosity to shape lives and communities, noting, “We all have the capacity to give back. It’s not the realm of the wealthy.”