“Martha is a genuine leader who has a long history of success in the nonprofit sector in Mexico.  Having worked closely with Martha in the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, I believe her leadership and ability to establish relationships with people in all walks of life is exemplary.  Martha engages with people in a way that is special and meaningful. This has resulted in impactful programs across the United States and Mexico.  These programs have served to put the USMF on the map in a very short time as a serious and prestigious player in the evolution of modern Mexico-U.S. relationships.”  Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

 

“I want to recognize the leadership of Martha Smith as we celebrate the accomplishments of the US-Mexico Foundation and the Mexican American Leadership Initiative [MALI].  I am very proud to have been involved in a small way in helping to launch MALI when I was Secretary of State.  The idea for both the USMF and MALI grew out of the deep cultural and economic ties between the United States and Mexico and a broader commitment to engage diaspora communities as engines of peace, prosperity, and progress.” Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State and former U.S. Senator

 “I have known Martha for over 30 years in a number of professional capacities.  Over the years I have observed her leadership in both business and philanthropic circles. Working together to launch the U.S.- Mexico Foundation, I witnessed Martha’s ability to lead a robust strategic planning process and build a strong board of directors committed to the mission of the foundation and the binational relationship.  Martha is well respected in both the U.S. and Mexico, and her leadership was key in giving life, meaning and direction to the foundation, which today is widely recognized as a principal player in the binational arena.”  José Antonio Fernández Carbajal, Chairman of FEMSA and the Monterrey Institute of Technology

“The relevance of philanthropy and the development of the social sector between the United States and Mexico are important for both countries.  Martha has been a compelling leader in this field.  She has worked tirelessly for a stronger and closer relationship between the two countries, which has translated into better opportunities for many people.  She has been passionate about this work for many years and has engaged not only governments, but also businesses together with civil society organizations for bigger, better solutions to social problems.  All of these dimensions are reflected in the U.S.-Mexico Foundation, which has flourished under her strategic vision, commitment, and leadership.” Carlos Slim Domit, Chairman of the Board, Grupo Carso and Telmex.