LATINOS ON THE MOVE is news about Latinos in Connecticut who are advancing in their careers. Please send announcements via email to editor@ctln.local. We will do our best to include all submissions in a timely manner and reserve the right not to include submissions.
Bermúdez Named Chair of Latino Endowment Fund Steering Committee
Germán Bermúdez
Germán Bermúdez of West Hartford has been named chair of the steering committee for the Latino Endowment Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the community foundation serving the 29-town Greater Hartford region.
Bermúdez, a graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in Bogotá and of Brandeis University with a doctoral degree in science, is the associate executive officer for academic affairs at the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities. He is currently serving at Central Connecticut State University to help maximize the levels of retention, graduation and academic learning of students. In this executive capacity, and for over a decade at the system level, he has also provided expertise in the conceptualization and implementation of academic policies and initiatives in public higher education.
Prior to joining public higher education in Connecticut, Bermúdez was an education consultant for the Connecticut State Department of Education, where he was in charge of science and educational technology initiatives, and leading a wide range of state and federally funded programs. He came to Connecticut as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at Yale University.
Bermúdez has served on numerous boards and committees including the Meriden Board of Education, the Center for Latino Progress, the MidState Medical Center, and various educational advisory groups at the state and federal levels. He has been a member of the Latino Endowment Fund steering committee since 2005.
La Luz Hartford Mayor’s New Director of Communications
- Mayor Pedro E. Segarra announced that Maribel La Luz has joined his staff as Director of Communications and New Media. La Luz, who was raised in East Hartford, recently worked as Deputy Communications Director for Clyde Williams’ congressional campaign in New York City.
“It is rare to find someone with her strengths and talents and I know that she will quickly immerse herself in Connecticut’s Capital City. She is a dynamic leader, bi-lingual, understands Hartford, and is ready to hit the ground running. I am particularly excited at the prospect of working with her to build an ever better and deeper relationship with all local and regional media outlets, especially those that carry Spanish-only programming,” said Mayor Segarra.
“I’m excited to be working in Hartford, a city with so much history and opportunity for growth. Under Mayor Segarra’s leadership, Hartford has truly turned the page and is poised for significant growth. The momentum is palpable and I’m honored to be a part of his team of dedicated professionals. I look forward to generating more awareness to everything Hartford has to offer for residents, families and the business community,” said La Luz.
Prior to the Williams campaign, Maribel served as Vice President of Communications at the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as New Business Development Manager for Alloy Media + Marketing and as a Senior Account Manager for Latin Force Group. She has a BA in Cultural and Urban Studies from the New School University and an MA in Secondary Education from Mercy College.
Diaz Appointed to Latino Steering Fund Committee
Walter Diaz
The Hartford Foundation has also appointed Walter Diaz of Cromwell to the Latino Endowment Fund steering committee. Diaz is dean of students at Eastern Connecticut State University, and has more than 19 years of experience in higher education and student services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Connecticut State University, and master’s and doctorate degrees in higher education administration from the University of Connecticut and Johnson and Wales University, respectively.
Diaz, who joined the Latino Endowment Fund in 2007, is also a social entrepreneur. In 2006, he launched Hispanic Recruitment Services, Inc., which operates two national internet sites:LatinosinHigherEd.com and LatinoGraduate.com.
The Latino Endowment Fund was founded in 2003 by Latino leaders in Greater Hartford to increase philanthropy in their community and to strengthen nonprofits working to improve the quality of life for Latino residents. Members examine issues affecting the Latino community and recommend grants from the fund to address these issues. For more information, contact Betty Ann Grady at 860-548-1888 or bagrady@hfpg.org or go to www.hfpg.org/latino.