The National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund announced today the promotion of Mario J. Beovides to Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs. Mario will serve as NALEO Educational Fund’s primary representative and chief advocate for the organization’s top policy priorities from Washington, D.C., including the census, naturalization, election administration, voting rights, and Latino representation in top federal appointed positions and the congressional workforce.

Mario previously served as Director of Policy Initiatives at NALEO Educational Fund, leading the organization’s work on diversity and inclusion in the federal workforce, including the Staff Up Congress initiative. In his new role, he will strengthen working relationships with members of the presidential administration and staff, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Conference, other House and Senate members, and key federal agencies. He will also be responsible for engaging the organization’s constituency of Latino elected and appointed officials and other stakeholders in key policy initiatives.

“Mario works tirelessly to boost Latino engagement in the political process, and we are thrilled to have him take on an expanded leadership role as our Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs,” said NALEO Educational Fund Chief Executive Officer, Arturo Vargas. “The coming months are a critical time for the Latino community and the health of American democracy. With issues like voting rights, election administration, immigration reform, and the census and redistricting at the forefront of our nation’s policy agenda, NALEO Educational Fund, with Mario’s leadership, has an unprecedented opportunity to help America thrive.”

Mario has extensive experience leading national and local grassroots campaigns and has served as a staffer in various levels of government, including the U.S. Senate, the City of Miami Commission, and the Miami-Dade County School Board. Born in Miami, FL to Cuban parents, Mario is a proud graduate of the University of Miami.