Nathalie Rayes Named One of the Most Powerful Latinas by People en Español

Nathalie is a Latina leader with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, local government and national politics.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, People en Español announced that Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Project president and CEO and Planned Parenthood Action Fund board member, was named one of the magazine's 25 most powerful Latinas (las 25 más poderosas) in the United States.

Nathalie is a Latina leader with more than 20 years of experience in leadership, local government, and national politics. Throughout her career, she has made it her mission to uplift and support Latinas in the United States. Nathalie’s dedication has been driven through her work as a board member in national organizations such as Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Hispanic Federation, and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), focused on addressing issues affecting the Latino community, including access to sexual and reproductive health. 

Nathalie Rayes, Latino Victory Project, president & CEO statement: 

“I am honored to be named one of People en Español’s 25 Poderosas. Latinas are a driving force in our nation's economic, cultural and political landscapes. We realize the value of sisterhood, building support groups of Latinas who empower and uplift each other, and because of this, Latinas are thriving in the political space. I have been surrounded by inspiring Latinas who have mentored me throughout my professional career, and I consider it a privilege to be doing the same for my fellow hermanas. I am constantly in awe of the Latina entrepreneurs, activists, politicians, and advocates I come across in my Latino Victory role. Their enthusiasm gives me hope for a bright present and an even brighter future. My mission is to ensure we continually replenish the bench of Latina leaders with women of all ages and backgrounds and to keep building up an invincible army of Poderosas." 

Nathalie is the third member of the Planned Parenthood family to receive this award. Daisy Auger-Dominguez, Planned Parenthood Federation of America board member, and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, Planned Parenthood Action Fund board member, were recognized as Poderosas in 2020 and 2017, respectively. 

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“We are enormously proud of Nathalie’s appointment as one of 2021’s 25 Poderosas. Throughout her career and as president of Latino Victory, Nathalie has dedicated herself to empowering and elevating leaders from the Latino communities, and to open doors to other Latinas. Nathalie’s presence on the Planned Parenthood Action Fund board has helped us, along with Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda and Daisy Auger-Dominguez on the PPFA board, to grow our work in Spanish and in service to the Latino community. Nathalie truly is a “Poderosa'' and we couldn’t be happier for this very well-deserved recognition.”

Statement from Frankie Miranda, President of Hispanic Federation: 

“Nathalie Rayes is one of the most influential Latina trailblazers in the US. As an executive member and chair of the Hispanic Federation Board, Nathalie has been key in the planning and implementation of the Federation’s national expansion, historic Latino voter mobilization, the HF Puerto Rico Relief Effort after Hurricane Maria and the HF Latino Covid-19 Relief Fund, the largest in the country.  Nathalie is a true inspiration and it is an honor to call her my friend.”

Statement from Helen Iris Torres, CEO of HOPE: 

"As co-founder and chair of HOPE's Binational Fellowship, Nathalie has led the capacity building of dozens of Latina executives and elected leaders from the United States and Mexico to make urgent and long-lasting improvements in the lives of Latinas and all communities in the Western Hemisphere. Since she participated in the HOPE Leadership Institute back in 2001, I have been consistently in awe of Nathalie's unrelenting commitment to uplifting Latinas and her vision for improving the lives of all people by investing in transformational leaders."

Each year, People en Español selects 25 women dedicated to empowering their communities, advancing their fields through professional development, opening paths to elevate other women, and serving as an example for all.

As a Poderosa, Nathalie will participate in the People en Español's Poderosas Conference, which will center on the evolution of Latina power throughout the years. The event will feature panels with interactive conversations that offer mentorship, guidance, and inspiration for enterprising and professional women. 

Sponsored by Planned Parenthood of America, the conference is free, and it will be a digital interactive experience that will be held on March 26, 2021. It will feature iconic Latina leaders' participation, including Adamari Lopez, Rosie Rivera, Maria Elena Salinas, Michelle Posada, Mariela Dabbah, Roxanna Flores, and Nelly Galán. 

Meet Nathalie: 

• Born in Venezuela, Nathalie Rayes is the president and CEO of Latino Victory Project, an organization dedicated to developing Latino leaders and increasing Latino representation at all government levels. Previously, she was vice president of public affairs for Grupo Salinas. 

• In addition to serving in the PPAF, Hispanic Federation, and HOPE board of directors, Nathalie has been part of executive boards in distinct non-profit organizations and international political think tanks. 

• Nathalie served as a United States Presidential appointee to the Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars. 

• Nathalie served as a Department of State Fellow in the Economic/Political Section of the United States Embassy in Cairo, Egypt.

• In 2015, the Huffington Post included her on its "40 Latinos under 40 in international politics'' list. In 2012, El Diario La Prensa presented her the “Mujeres Destacadas” award.  

• Nathalie graduated from UCLA's public policy program with concentrations in international relations and education. She is the recipient of UCLA Masters in Public Policy Alumna of the Year 2014, Santa Monica College Distinguished Alumna Recognition Award for Outstanding Professional and Community Service Achievement of 2013. She speaks Spanish and conversational Arabic. She lives in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, with her husband, Dr. Tarek Samad, her two sons, and her dog Duke. 

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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.

The Latino Victory Project develops a pipeline of Latino leaders and shapes public discourse to reflect the growing influence of the Latino community while also building cross-constituency alliances that can move the country forward.