Erica Bernal-Martinez Erica Bernal-Martinez serves as the Deputy Executive Director with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund. As an expert on the issue of Latino political participation, Bernal-Martinez has been instrumental at the NALEO Educational Fund in developing strategic programs aimed at empowering Latinos to participate fully in the American political process. Erica joined NALEO Educational Fund in 1999 and over the course of her professional career with the organization has overseen the organization’s civic engagement, constituency services, fundraising and communications departments. In her current role, Erica serves as the internal leader of the organization and is responsible for the strategic development, planning and implementation of all programming for Latino policymakers, membership, strategies for increasing the civic participation of the Latino community, and the organization’s strategic communications. In 2004, Bernal took a sabbatical from the NALEO Educational Fund and was recruited as National Field Director for America’s Families United in Washington, D.C. America’s Families United, a 501(c)3 organization developed to expand democracy through voter registration and education, supported the work of over 25 grassroots organizations working in 29 states whose efforts ultimately registered over 2.5 million new voters in underrepresented communities. Under her leadership, NALEO Educational Fund has further solidified its role as a premier provider of leadership and governance training, professional development and networking opportunities for Latino policymakers on a variety of policy issues and as the leading organization that promotes the civic participation of the Latino community. Erica attended California State University at Long Beach.
Send this to friend