LOS ANGELES – MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) has appointed Julie Gallego as Vice President of Communications and Media. Gallego had served in an interim role as vice president previously.
In her new position, Gallego will oversee communications and media relations for the national organization’s five regional and three satellite offices, leading the effort to promote MALDEF’s important work.
“Julie Gallego’s work as interim vice president has been exemplary, and I am delighted to elevate her to this permanent role,” said Thomas Saenz, MALDEF president and general counsel. “Communications and media work are critical to our success in using all available tools to achieve MALDEF’s mission to promote and protect the civil rights of all Latinos living in the United States.”
Gallego joined MALDEF in March 2019 as Associate Director of Communications after working for years as a journalist for various newspapers in Southern California, Alaska, and Miami. While running the politics and government team at The Orange County Register, Gallego worked with a team of reporters on investigations into the county’s jails and the Orange County Sheriff’s office, leading to the arrest of the department’s one-time sheriff. During her tenure at the Register, she also ran national, state, and local election coverage as well as coverage of the 2008 economic meltdown. She has also worked in corporate communications for a national bank.
“Working for MALDEF is the capstone to my career,” said Gallego. “I have long been a fan of the organization’s work, and it is a privilege and an honor to work alongside the attorneys and staff at MALDEF.”
Gallego is a Los Angeles native who attended California State University, Long Beach.