Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez to Head AARP’s New Multicultural Strategy

AARP today announced it has appointed former New York Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez executive vice president for multicultural markets and engagement. In this newly created position, Cortés-Vázquez will lead AARP’s work with the growing multicultural 50-plus population.

“It’s imperative that AARP have a stronger focus on multicultural populations, specifically Hispanic/Latino, African-American and Asian,” said A. Barry Rand, CEO of AARP. “AARP must be relevant for all Americans as they age. Our members should more closely mirror an aging America and Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez is uniquely qualified to ensure this happens. I am confident she will leverage her extensive experience in the public and private sectors and make sure that AARP helps everyone live their best life.”

“Secretary Cortés-Vázquez has been with my Administration from the beginning, leading the Department of State with skill and distinction,” New York’s Governor Paterson said. “As Secretary of State, Lorraine has been able to take the important roles of the Department of State – from real estate licensing to business incorporation to local government services – and combine them under the banner of better and more efficient service for the people of the State. She has balanced the often competing interests of economic development and environmental protection with thoughtfulness and dexterity. AARP will be lucky to have her, and we look forward to her work on behalf of older persons in New York and throughout the country.”

Cortés-Vázquez was proud to have been the first Hispanic to hold the position of Secretary of State. With a background in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors that extends more than 30 years, she has served as president of the Hispanic Federation, executive director of ASPIRA of New York and worked for 14 years at the New York City Department of Aging.

A graduate of Hunter College, Cortés-Vázquez has a master’s degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is a Toll Fellow, having completed the national leadership program for elected and appointed officials.

AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA su Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

From: www.aarp.org

Leave a Reply