Women In Government Announces New Executive Director

    WASHINGTON, DC, July 23, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Women In Government (WIG) is excited to announce Meredith Martino as its new Executive Director. Prior to joining WIG, Meredith spent 17+ years at the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), most recently as its Vice President of Membership and Sponsorship, where she served as a key member of AAPA's executive team. In her role at AAPA, the industry trade association for public port authorities throughout the Western Hemisphere, she created and refined revenue streams for the Association, including the Premier Partner sponsorship program. She also directed member recruitment and retention strategies and oversaw creation and delivery of industry content through 8-10 annual conferences and events. She was responsible for the overall planning and execution of AAPA's Annual Convention, a $1M event that attracts 500-600 maritime industry executives and solution providers, and she directed the strategic utilization of and investment in the Association's engagement management system.

The search committee for this position participated in 30 interviews with many outstanding applicants for the WIG Executive Director position. Aided by Interim Executive Senator Nancy Todd and WIG Managing Director Maura LaGue, the search committee included key members of WIG's volunteer leadership:

• Washington State Representative Cindy Ryu, Chair, Women In Government Board of Directors
• Hawaii State Representative Lauren Matsumoto, Vice Chair, Women In Government Board of Directors
• Alaska State Representative Geran Tarr, Treasurer, Women In Government Board of Directors
• Connecticut State Representative Christie Carpino, Secretary, Women In Government Board of Directors
• Dee George, Business Council Chair, State Government Affairs at Novartis
• Jolynn Butler, Former Business Council Chair, Director of Legislative & Regulatory Strategy at the National Associations Team at AT&T External Affairs
• Colorado State Senate President Emerita Senator Nancy Todd, WIG Interim Executive Director and Former Chair/Past Chair, WIG Board of Directors

"We are delighted to announce the hiring of Meredith Martino as our new Executive Director. Meredith is an accomplished association executive with a passion for data-driven decision-making, and she has a track record of strategically deploying technology to achieve goals and maximizing the human capital of an organization. She is industry-fluent and has extensive experience in relationship-building, organizational management, program execution, event planning, membership engagement and growth across all constituencies. I am delighted that Meredith will be our next 'Right Woman for the Right Time' and has decided to join the WIG team. Under Meredith's leadership, we expect WIG to significantly expand its Business Council relationships, increase legislator participation and improve its overall stature, reputation, and impact." - Representative Cindy Ryu, Chair, Women In Government Board of Directors

"On behalf of Women in Government's Business Council, we could not be more pleased with the hiring of Meredith Martino. She has a sterling reputation as a non-profit executive who creates and accomplishes relevant strategic goals. Her extensive experience working with a non-profit association Board of Directors and diverse stakeholders, including the broader business community, makes her an ideal fit for Women in Government. Meredith's ability to engage and energize the private sector will tremendously benefit our organization. We welcome her with open arms and look forward to working in partnership with her to position Women In Government as the premier organization of and for women state legislators." - Dee George, WIG Business Council Chair, and Jolynn Butler, Former Business Council Chair

"I am delighted to join Women in Government as its next Executive Director. This organization does incredibly meaningful work to empower women state legislators of all parties in all states to lead on a variety of policy issues. I look forward to educating more legislators about the resources that WIG provides, as well as bringing more subject matter experts and thought leaders to participate in the Business Council. Most importantly, I look forward to celebrating the incredible accomplishments that women legislators will achieve with the assistance and support of WIG." – Meredith Martino, Executive Director, Women in Government

"The future of Women In Government is in excellent hands with our newly selected Executive Director, Meredith Martino. A strong organization with capable and creative leadership will be an asset to the well-established Board of Directors, Business Council, Staff, and diversity of the women legislative membership. I have considered it an honor to have been involved with Women In Government for over 16 years as a member, board member, Chair of the Board, and the Interim Executive Director. Great new directions lie ahead!" - Nancy Todd, Retired Colorado State Senator, Interim Executive Director, Women in Government

Women In Government Foundation, Inc., headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a national non-profit, non-partisan organization of women state legislators that provides leadership opportunities, expert forums, and educational resources to address and resolve complex public policy issues to all women state legislators across the country.

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