Mayra Martínez-Fernández Joins Independent Sector
as Director of Public Affairs

Contact IS Media Relations Matthew Briggs Associate Media and Communications office: 202-467-6134 cell: 202-641-1202 (after hours) matthewb@independentsector.org Brenda C. Siler Vice President Communications and Marketing office: 202-467-6132 cell: 202-257-7242 (after hours) brendas@independentsector.org

(Washington, D.C., July 15, 2008) -- Mayra Martínez-Fernández has joined Independent Sector as director of public affairs. Mrs. Martínez-Fernández will play a key role in helping the nonprofit community to develop its policy platform for the next Congress and administration, and to communicate more effectively with Members of Congress about their services to individuals and communities. Mrs. Martínez-Fernández will also expand, strengthen, and facilitate the grassroots advocacy network of charitable organizations and advance the organization’s mission and policy agenda.

Mrs. Martínez-Fernández comes to IS most recently from Patton Boggs LLP, where she held the position of senior policy advisor, developing and implementing strategic plans for achieving clients’ political, policy, and relationship goals in the areas of municipal projects, Hispanic affairs, and foreign affairs. Prior to Patton Boggs, Mrs. Martínez-Fernández served for almost eight years with President Clinton’s Interagency Group on Puerto Rico where she provided strategic assistance on the development and implementation of policy concerning Puerto Rico, and coordination between the White House, the U.S. Congress, and federal departments and agencies. She previously worked as director of communications with the Latino Institute and at the Center for Community and Leadership Development as director of development and public relations.

Mrs. Martínez-Fernández received her MA in journalism and public relations and her BA in communications arts from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. She holds a certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University.

In 2002, Hispanic Business Magazine named Mrs. Martínez-Fernández one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States.

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 600 charities, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit community.