Janet Murgua

Janet Murgua has become a key figure among the next generation of leaders in the Latino community. Since January 1, 2005, she has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of UnidosUS, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S.Murgua began her career in Washington, DC as legislative counsel to former Kansas Congressman Jim Slattery, serving for seven years. She then worked at the White House from 1994 to 2000, ultimately serving as deputy assistant to President Clinton, providing strategic and legislative advice to the president on key issues. She served as deputy director of legislative affairs, managing the legislative staff and acting as a senior White House liaison to Congress.She then served as deputy campaign manager and director of constituency outreach for the Gore/Lieberman presidential campaign. In that role, she was the primary liaison between former Vice President Gore and national constituency groups. She also served as a spokesperson for the campaign, working with radio, print, and TV media outlets.In 2001, Murgua joined the University of Kansas (KU) as Executive Vice Chancellor for University Relations, overseeing KUs internal and external relations with the public, including governmental and public affairs. She coordinated the university's strategic planning and marketing efforts at the four KU campuses with those of the Alumni Association, the Athletics Corporation, and the Endowment Association.Murgua is currently a Board member of the Independent Sector, a coalition of leading nonprofits, foundations, and corporations committed to connecting, informing, and advocating on behalf of the nonprofit and philanthropic community. She is also a member of the Merrill Lynch Diversity & Inclusion Council and is an executive committee member of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. In addition, Murgua sits on the Board of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda.2008: Was the first Hispanic to give the keynote speech at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast in Birmingham, Alabama2007: Featured in Newsweeks Third Annual Women and Leadership issue Named to Poder magazines The Poderosos 100Chosen for Latino Leaders magazines 101 Top Leaders of the Hispanic CommunitySelected for Hispanic magazines Powerful Latinos 20072006: Named to Washingtonian magazines 100 Most Powerful Women in WashingtonChosen for The NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 leadersNamed to People En Espaols 100 Most Influential Hispanics 20062005: Finalist for Hispanic Business magazines Woman of the Year AwardReceived the KU Law Alumni Association Distinguished Alumnus/na Award2004: Selected for Hispanic magazines annual list of "100 Top Latinas"Chosen for Hispanic Business magazines "100 Most Influential Hispanics"Janet Murgua grew up in Kansas City, Kansas. She received three degrees from KU: a B.S. degree in journalism (1982), a B.A. degree in Spanish (1982), and a J.D. degree (1985) from the School of Law.