Duane is a passionate career educator who has taught at all grade levels, before serving as the Assistant Superintendent of the Seven Oaks School Division, Superintendent/CEO of the Sunrise School Division, before finishing his career as the Superintendent/CEO of the Louis Riel School Division. He has a PhD in educational administration and wrote a thesis that explored the work of school superintendents related to racialized poverty. Duane has presented and facilitated with groups throughout Manitoba, Canada, and the USA in the areas of educational leadership, governance, and anti-racism.

Duane has also served on the Board of the National Principals Leadership Institute (NPLI) in NYC, was on the Cabinet for the United Way Manitoba, the Board of the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents, is a mentor with Ten Thousand Coffees at the University of Manitoba and he is the past board chair of Special Olympics Manitoba. Currently, he is a member of the University of Manitoba Black Alliance (UMBA). the Anti-Racism Task Force at the University of Manitoba, and serves on the boards of the True North Youth Foundation, the Terra Bay Winnipeg Advisory Board (Chair), the University of Manitoba Board of Governors, and DASCH (Direct Action in Support of Community Housing). Duane also has a special connection with DASCH as his son, Josiah, participates in the DASCHWorks program.