In The Community
Bernal-Martinez, a first-generation Latina who has spent 25 years leading operations for the NALEO Educational Fund, steps into this historic role, making her the first Latina woman to lead NALEO, following Arturo Vargas’ long-standing role as CEO.
Photo via NALEO's Instagram account.
In a NALEO press release announcing Bernal-Martinez’s appointment, Vargas expressed his support, saying: “I have had the pleasure of working with Erica throughout her career with NALEO Educational Fund and take immense joy in the fact that our Board has entrusted her with the role of the next CEO. Having worn virtually every leadership hat within this organization during her exemplary tenure, I can think of no other person more uniquely qualified and better prepared to take on the responsibility of leading our mission forward.”
While the exact percentage of Latino political organizations led by Latina women in the U.S. is difficult to calculate due to a lack of comprehensive data, only a handful of them exist despite 36.2 million Latinos being of voting age as of 2024, and approximately 1.4 million additional Latinos expected to become eligible to vote every year. Additionally, many of the organizations exist as political action committees, more commonly known as PACs, rather than membership organizations like NALEO.
Bernal-Martinez’s appointment marks a significant moment for Latino political leadership, where Latina women remain underrepresented in top political positions relative to the size of the population. However, improvement is occurring. The number of elected Latinas in the House of Representatives is increasing, contributing significantly to the growth in women representatives overall. Between the 115th and 118th Congresses, the share of women among Latino representatives rose from 26% to 37% between 2017 and 2025 according to the latest available data.
NALEO: The Largest Organization of Latino Political Leaders
Established in 1976, NALEO stands as the largest non-partisan organization of Latino elected and appointed officials in the United States, representing over 7,000 policymakers across various levels of government. As a non-partisan entity, the organization brings together officials from different political affiliations to address pressing issues affecting Latinos nationwide. Given the small number of political membership organizations that work primarily with Latino elected officials, NALEO is filling a critical void in a space where thousands of policy makers don’t have very many places to go.
Under Bernal-Martinez’s leadership, NALEO is set to embark on a new era, continuing its commitment to fostering Latino political participation and ensuring equitable representation in American democracy. Her extensive experience in constituency services, civic engagement, and voter mobilization positions her as someone who could be a transformative leader for the organization’s future.
In the NALEO press release, Bernal-Martinez expressed her commitment to the work ahead, stating: “When I started my career, I never imagined that my work with this organization would have allowed me to have so many fulfilling and impactful experiences over my 25-year tenure. From leading efforts to bring Republicans and Democrats from across the country together to move policy issues forward, to guiding our citizenship and voter mobilization initiatives, I have seen firsthand the ability of NALEO and NALEO Educational Fund to make a difference in people’s lives.”
She concluded, “My work has always been motivated by a devotion to family, community, and country. I see this same dedication from our NALEO Members and the incredibly committed staff at NALEO Educational Fund, and I am honored to lead them as we embark on this next chapter in our organizations’ future.”
A Vision for the Future
Bernal-Martinez’s leadership comes at a pivotal time for Latino political engagement. With ongoing debates over voting rights, immigration policy, and Latino representation in government, her tenure as CEO will be closely watched. Her priorities will include organizational restructuring, enhancing long-term strategic planning to continue serving the Latino community, and implementing strategies for programmatic impact and efficiency.
NALEO’s announcement of Bernal-Martinez as CEO is both a pivotal leadership change and a defining moment for Latina women in leadership. As Latinas continue to face systemic barriers to political advancement, her appointment sends a clear message: Latina leaders are helping shape the future of American politics.
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Reopening Guantánamo Bay for Migrant Detentions
Photo by Metin Ozer on UnsplashTrump has signed an order preparing Guantánamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 immigrants facing deportation. This is a stark escalation of his immigration policies, raising major human rights concerns, such as detainee lack of access to communication and legal representation, inhumane conditions, inadequate medical care and education for children, and concerns about indefinite detentions without due process.
Declaring a National Border Emergency
David Peinado Romero - Shutterstock
Trump has declared a national emergency at the southern border, paving the way for a large-scale deportation program. The proclamation, known as Proclamation 10886, cites threats from "cartels, criminal gangs, known terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, unvetted military-age males from foreign adversaries, and illicit narcotics." The order effectively ends asylum protections at the southern border, with Border Patrol agents now turning away migrants regardless of protection needs.
Gender Identity Policies
Photo by Katie Rainbow 🏳️🌈 on UnsplashThe administration has issued executive actions eliminating DEI mandates at the federal level and has stated that the U.S. government will recognize only two genders: male and female. This policy affects the rights and recognition of transgender and non-binary individuals, leading to challenges in accessing appropriate identification documents and healthcare services. Advocates argue that these measures undermine the dignity and rights of LGBTQ+ communities.
Expanding Elon Musk’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’
Photo by Andy Feliciotti on UnsplashTrump has doubled down on his commitment to reducing the federal workforce, handing Elon Musk more control over government efficiency efforts. The order mandates a transformation in federal spending, requiring a centralized payment system for contracts, grants, and loans, all under Musk’s watch. The White House argues this will enhance transparency and accountability, but critics see it as a step toward dismantling key federal programs and outsourcing government operations to private entities.
Attempting to Impose Healthcare Price Transparency
Photo by National Cancer Institute on UnsplashTrump has revived his push to force hospitals to publicly disclose prices for common procedures, a policy he attempted in 2019 that faced stiff opposition from insurers and hospital executives. While the idea sounds great for consumers, many healthcare providers have historically refused to comply, arguing that pricing structures are too complex for simple transparency measures. Whether this version of the policy will stick remains to be seen.
Reviewing Regulations at All Agencies
Photo by Viktor Talashuk on UnsplashIn another sweeping move, Trump has ordered every federal agency to conduct a regulatory review with the help of Musk’s team. The goal is to eliminate rules that are deemed inconsistent with the administration’s policies. This could lead to significant rollbacks in environmental protections, financial regulations, and labor laws, depending on which regulations are targeted.
Making Independent Regulators Answerable to the White House
Photo by David Everett Strickler on UnsplashTrump has signed an order requiring independent regulatory agencies—like the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)—to report directly to the White House. This move effectively brings agencies that were designed to function separately under presidential oversight, which raises concerns about political interference in financial markets and consumer protection policies.
25% Tariffs on Foreign Steel and Aluminum
Photo by the blowup on UnsplashTrump is ramping up his protectionist trade policies by imposing a 25% tariff on foreign steel and aluminum. The administration argues this will protect American manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. However, industries that rely on imported materials—like construction and automotive manufacturing—could see costs rise, potentially passing those expenses onto consumers.
Banning Trans Athletes from Women’s Sports
Photo by Jonathan Chng on UnsplashTrump has directed federal agencies to interpret Title IX as banning transgender women from participating in women’s sports. This aligns with previous Republican-led efforts at the state level and is likely to face legal challenges. Supporters argue this protects competitive fairness, while opponents say it discriminates against transgender athletes. The order is likely to face legal challenges, as similar state-level laws have often been contested in federal courts.
Reshaping the Military
Photo by Diego González on UnsplashTrump’s executive orders targeting the military include rolling back diversity and inclusion efforts, banning transgender individuals from serving, and reinstating soldiers discharged for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine. These actions mark a return to policies from his first term and a significant cultural shift within the armed forces.
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