National Hispana Leadership Institute's 2006 Graduate and Incoming Chairwoman Selected as 'One to Watch' by Latino Leaders Magazine

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Marieli Colon-Padilla, incoming Chair of the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) and a 2006 Executive Leadership Program graduate, was selected by Latino Leaders Magazine as one of the "Ones to Watch" in their Inspired Leaders inaugural issue. The December/January issue features 20 Latinos under 40 as rising stars.

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"I am honored to have been selected as a rising star by one of the top magazines for Latinos in this country," said Colon-Padilla. "I share this recognition with the National Hispana Leadership Institute, who provided me with the tools, support and opportunities to continue to effectively contribute to the advancement of our community."

NHLI is the premier executive leadership organization preparing Latinas for positions of national and international influence, public policy impact and to contribute to the advancement of the Hispanic community. Its mission is to develop Hispanas as ethical leaders through training, professional development, relationship building and community activism. Since its founding in 1987, NHLI has developed hundreds of Latina leaders who have become elected officials, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, executives at non-profits and powerful decision makers.

Colon-Padilla kicks-off 2010 as the new Chairwoman of NHLI Board of Directors. She joined NHLI's board in 2007 and served as Vice Chair from 2008-2009.  

"NHLI is proud of Marieli's accomplishments and is thrilled to have her as NHLI's new chairwoman to continue the strong foundation and legacy that Ingrid Duran, built," said Cristina Lopez, NHLI's President. "We applaud Marieli's contributions to this country and for serving as a role model for other Latinas.

With more than a decade of experience in reaching Latino consumers through marketing efforts in  the nonprofit sector, bilingual and mono-lingual education for Latinos on social  issues, and bilingual media relations, Colón-Padilla serves as Vice President of Fleishman-Hillard's Hispanic issues and marketing communications practice, FH Hispania(R), based in Washington, D.C.

In 2009, she was appointed to the Military Leadership Diversity Commission (MLDC), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness and was invited to America's Leaders of Change (ALOC), a National Urban Fellows program for leaders on the rise in the government, non-profit and private sectors.

A native of Puerto Rico, Marieli serves on the boards other Latino and women organizations including: the National Alliance for Hispanic Families, Girls Scouts of the Nation's Capital; and served on the Board of the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute; and the Commission to End Health Care Disparities established by the American Medical Association, the National Medical Association, and the National Hispanic Medical Association.

Colon-Padilla's accomplishments have won her many awards and recognitions including: Latin Leader RISE: Mujeres del Nuevo Millenio, Girls Scouts Gold Medal and Community Service and Leadership Award and being named one of the Top Latinas in the Nation by Hispanic Online Magazine in 2004.

The National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI) is a national leadership development organization focused on Latina leaders. For more than 20 years, NHLI has developed hundreds of Latina leaders who have gone on to become elected officials, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, executives at non-profits and powerful decision makers. Founded  in 1987 to address the disparity of representation of Latinas in leadership, NHLI's mission is to develop Hispanas as ethical world leaders through training, professional development, relationship building, and community activism. www.nhli.org.

SOURCE National Hispana Leadership Institute