Nena De La Torre has built a career defined by determination, ingenuity, and leadership in the automobile industry. As owner of Golden Touch Auto Center in Orange County, California, she directs daily operations with a hands-on approach, managing files, deliveries, pickups, customer communications, and insurance coordination. She also oversees vehicle maintenance, ensuring that every task meets high standards and deadlines. Her leadership has guided the business through expansions, including the acquisition of one of Orange County’s largest spray booths, while fostering a workplace culture grounded in responsibility and trust.
Education has played a central role in shaping Ms. De La Torre’s professional path. She earned a master’s degree in accounting and business law in Mexico, a credential that provided her with strong analytical skills and an understanding of regulatory expectations in the automotive sector. This foundation positioned her to make informed decisions when facing complex operational challenges and to interpret the legal considerations that accompany insurance work and repair authorization processes. Her pursuit of multiple industry certifications has further strengthened her expertise and supported her ongoing commitment to excellence in the automotive field.
Upon completing her graduate work, Ms. De La Torre returned to the United States with the intention of applying her education in a meaningful way. Her professional and personal life changed when she met her husband, Mehdi Mokhtari, founder of Golden Touch Auto Center. Over time, she assumed greater control over operations and guided the shop through phases of expansion and innovation. Her decision to introduce the Moonwalk system from Europe reflects her interest in integrating new technologies that promote efficiency and accuracy while meeting industry expectations.
A defining part of Ms. De La Torre’s career extends beyond the automotive sector through her philanthropic work. She is the founder of Each One Teach One, an outreach program that supports orphanages and provides critical resources to disadvantaged children in Africa, Peru, and the United States. Through this initiative, she has supported more than 1,500 children and considers this contribution to be her most meaningful achievement. She is also a donor to Cypress College and participates in multiple civic-minded organizations that align with her values of service and community uplift.
Ms. De La Torre’s achievements have earned her recognition from various organizations, including honors for leadership and community involvement. These acknowledgments reflect the impact she has made within the automotive industry and beyond. She has also established herself as an accomplished athlete with a passion for swimming and endurance sports, having completed multiple triathlons, including a half Ironman, and achieving a triple trifecta in Spartan races. Her interest in physical challenges aligns with her professional outlook, guided by the belief that perseverance reveals strength and that obstacles exist to be overcome.
Looking ahead, Ms. De La Torre plans to expand Golden Touch Auto Center by offering repairs and services for big rigs or 18-wheelers, a venture that would place her among the first women in Southern California to provide such specialized work. Through charitable efforts such as feeding thousands during Thanksgiving events hosted by Golden Touch Auto Center, she has emphasized the importance of compassion over material success. She aims for future generations of her family to continue this tradition, carrying forward a legacy built on integrity, generosity, and meaningful community work.