Hiram Cortez appointed new MLOV Executive Director

Hiram Cortez

Dear MLOV Supporters and Friends,

The MLOV Board of Directors is extremely pleased to announce we have appointed Hiram Cortez as our new Executive Director, effective February 13, 2023. Hiram will step into this new role after having served as MLOV Co-Interim Executive Director since June 2022. Not only does Hiram bring a wealth of professional experience working in national advocacy organizations that serve Latinx and immigrant communities, he also draws from his lived experience as a formerly undocumented immigrant from Mexico who faced economic and language barriers with his family. His unique strengths will help ensure that MLOV can carry out our mission, and empower our members, increase civic participation, and create a better District for immigrants.

MLOV’s Board Chair Vivian Chang said: “Since stepping into the interim role in June 2022, Hiram has thoughtfully led MLOV’s programs and formed deep connections with our community members, funders, and stakeholders. We are proud for him to lead MLOV into our next chapter, stepping into this role with overwhelming support from the Board, staff and membership. We are excited to grow and strengthen our work to serve low-income immigrant communities facing myriad attacks on health, financial stability, housing, and language access. Hiram has demonstrated a lifetime commitment to these causes and to the critical work of organizing to make positive social change.”

Hiram comes to MLOV from UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), where he led monitoring, evaluation, and data management functions for national education and workforce development programs serving thousands of Latinx and immigrant participants across the country. Hiram’s professional career includes grant management and curriculum development for several workforce development programs, implemented in partnership with dozens of community-based organizations across the country. He also previously worked in a direct support role to postsecondary students pursuing professional development through the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and he has served as President of the Case Western Reserve University Latinx Alumni Association.

“It’s an honor and privilege to be MLOV’s Executive Director,” Hiram said. “I look forward to working with our staff, board, community members, funders, and partners to continue strengthening the leadership and influence of DC immigrant communities. Working closely with our community members and partners, I am confident we can together shape MLOV’s next chapter.

The son of a childcare worker, Hiram Cortez was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and immigrated to Austin, Texas, where he spent the majority of his youth undocumented. His commitment to MLOV’s mission is deeply personal.

“Growing up, my family experienced food insecurity, housing instability, lack of access to public benefits, and many language barriers,” said Hiram “During those formative years, I learned about the power of organized people, within faith-based groups and community organizations, where we most often found support. This is what drives me to lead MLOV’s future as a venue where individuals collectively develop solutions to improve their lives — addressing immediate needs while fighting for systemic change together.”

Hiram obtained a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and completed graduate studies in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy.

Hiram can be reached at hiram@mlovdc.org.