On November 22, Laura Maristany Martinelli ’02 was the recipient of the Cross of the Order of Civil Merit of Spain for her work as a member and President of the Organization of Young Hispanic Leaders. She received this honor from His Excellency Ramón Gil Casares, Ambassador of Spain in Washington DC.
Laura is presently the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs in Washington, DC for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). Prior to joining NALEO she served as Director of Legislative Affairs for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) , and she also worked in the United States Congress with Resident Commissioners Luis Fortuño and Pedro Pierluisi.
After graduation Laura attended the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez campus where she earned her degree in Political Sciences and then went to George Mason University where she earned a master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy. Laura is the daughter of our Director of Studies and former MS/US principal, Laura Maristany, and sister to Luis M. Maristany (Class of 2008). She is married to Valerio Martinelli and they live in Burke , Virginia with their daughter Vittoria.
Congratulations Laura!