2010 Conference Speakers

Alicia Diaz

Director, Legislative Policy & Government Relations, Cuban American National Council

Alicia Diaz is an energetic professional with a dynamic personality and a strong commitment to public health and Latino communities.

Alicia has recently returned to the non-profit sector to take over the position of Director of Government Affairs and Legislative Policy for the Cuban American National Council’s DC office, an office she launched in 2002 and guided through unprecedented expansion and growth for over three years.

Prior to this, she served as Director for the Americas, in the Office of Global Health Affairs, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this position, Alicia represented the Department to other governments, other Federal Departments and agencies, and international organizations on Western Hemisphere affairs related to health. In her capacity, Alicia also contributed to the development of U.S. policy and strategy positions related to health issues in collaboration with other agencies. While in this position, Alicia worked with Dr. Joxel Garcia, former Deputy Director at the Pan American Health Organization, as his professional counterpart in issues and initiatives of Public Health in the Western Hemisphere.

With her impeccable professional demeanor to her peers and the people she serves, Alicia has been able to combine her multidimensional set of skills and vast multi- sectorial experience into a parallel career as a private contractor focused on the development and execution of strategic expansion programs in the areas of health and education. With her strong communication skills and her ability to mobilize resources, she is able to create sustained outreach and partnership programs and move agendas forward. Alicia is fluent in English, Spanish and French and well versed in international health matters as well as domestic issues. Her knowledge transcends cultural, ethnic and political issues affecting health in the U.S. She understands well the intricacies of local, state and federal governments and international agencies.

Alicia also held the position of Senior Associate at HMA Associates, Inc. in Washington, DC, where she served as Deputy Director of a national HIV prevention project, overseeing and managing an integrated marketing health communications project for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Prior to her DC posts, Ms. Diaz served with distinction for 5 years as Director of New Jersey's Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development in the New Jersey State Department of Community Affairs. The Center for Hispanic Policy is New Jersey's government primary policy and advocacy entity focused exclusively on the needs of the Latino community. It also offers college students an opportunity to enrich their college experience by participating in career opportunities in state government and private entities during a 10 week summer internship program.

Born in Cuba, Ms. Diaz attended elementary school in Hudson County, New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University and holds a master's degree in Psychology and French. During her college years, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She also attended the Universite Francois Rabelais, in Tours, France. Ms. Diaz is fluent in Spanish, English and French, and for twelve years, directed a study abroad program in Caen and Dijon, France.

Ms. Diaz's accomplishments at the Center for Hispanic Policy Research and Development were many. Under Ms. Diaz's initiative, the internship program expanded to include the private sector and graduate the largest class in its history. When in 1994, then Governor Christine Todd Whitman appointed Ms. Diaz as Director, she faced a tiny staff and limited resources. Ms. Diaz led the Center, which up to that point had a nominal existence, from anonymity to visible presence by developing and implementing some of the most pro-active and innovative initiative found anywhere. In particular, the establishment of the first ever Center's Corporate Partnership Board is regarded as a model for the nation. Its mission is to financially support the Center's programs.

Under Ms. Diaz's leadership, the Center experienced unprecedented success and visibility. In 1994, it sponsored its first annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration and instituted the "Excellence in Hispanic Leadership Award", observances that remain in effect to this day. In 1998, the award was presented to UNIVISION 41 for its 30 years of continuos programming. The event was held at the then-newly opened New Jersey Performing Arts Center, another first for the Center for Hispanic Policy. In 1995, the Center accomplished another first when Trenton welcomed and honored Latino legends, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz proclaiming September 19, 1995 Celia Cruz and Tito Puente Day in New Jersey. Later that year, the Center launched its highly acclaimed newsletter, MATICES, with up to the minute information concerning Latinos. This most popular and respected newsletter reaches close to 3,000 readers.

Finally, in 1998 and in 1999, due to Ms. Diaz's unwavering and untiring efforts, the Center received supplemental appropriations of $5,000.000, the first increase to the Center in nine years! As a result, the first ever Office of Communications was established, as a support and training arm to the Hispanic Director's Association of New Jersey.

Prior to her appointment as Director of the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development, Ms. Diaz spent most of her government career in the health area, with 9 years of service in the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services.

Ms. Diaz's efforts have not gone unnoticed. She has been honored as the Woman of Inspiration by the Trenton YWCA and twice recognized by Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics in the U.S.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Ms. Diaz is a member of the Helping Angels, a volunteer professional women's organization, served as member of Fleet’s In-City Advisory Board and serves as Chairwoman of the National Latina Health Network Board, a national health women's non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.

Ms. Diaz is a sought out public speaker whose thought provoking ideas and captivating style keep her speaking engagements in high demand.

In 1999, Alicia Diaz became the host of "HISPANIC HORIZONS", a public affairs television show highlighting issues and concerns of Latinos in the New York/New Jersey region. The show airs the second Sunday of every month on UPN9/WWOR TV at 8:30am. Effective October 2005, Ms. Diaz left public affairs to pursue other interests in the area of television, mainly sports.