Carmen M. Feliciano

Ms. Carmen M. Feliciano currently serves as Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at UnidosUS (formerly known as “the National Council of La Raza”). In this role, Ms. Feliciano is responsible for advancing the organization’s public policy and advocacy agenda. The Policy and Advocacy team aims to achieve transformational public policy change that improves the social, economic, and political status of the U.S. Latino community.

Prior to her position at UnidosUS, she served as the Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (“PRFAA”) in Washington, DC. In this role, Ms. Feliciano was the liaison between the Executive branch of the Government of Puerto Rico and the Federal Government. Before her appointment to lead PRFAA, she was the Executive Director of the Office of the Senate of Puerto Rico in Washington, DC.

She also worked for fifteen years in various roles in Capitol Hill. During her last eight years on the Hill, she was Chief of Staff to the former Congressman and now Governor of Puerto Rico, Pedro R. Pierluisi (D-PR). As the Chief Strategic Policy Advisor, she developed and implemented all policy objectives, strategies, and operating plans for the Washington, DC and District office. Ms. Feliciano also coordinated strategies that led to overwhelming bi-partisan approval of legislation dealing with fiscal issues, self-determination, health, and economic development.

Her Hill experience also includes working for Congressman and former Governor of Puerto Rico, Luis G. Fortuño (R-AL-PR) where she developed and implemented the Congressman’s appropriations legislative strategy. She also served as principal advisor on issues pertaining to Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Judiciary. In addition, she also supported the Congressman in his position as Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Conference. Ms. Feliciano Hill experience began working for Congressman and former Governor of Puerto Rico, Carlos Romero-Barceló, advising him on the adoption of policy positions on a wide range of issues.

In addition to her Hill experience, Ms. Feliciano served as the Hispanic National Bar Association Executive Director. In this capacity, she was responsible for the Association’s day-to-day management in accordance with the strategic goals set by the Board. She was instrumental in coordinating the annual convention, job fair, fundraising efforts, moot court competition, and board meetings.

A native of Puerto Rico, Ms. Feliciano has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and French, Magna Cum Laude, and a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University. She is admitted to practice law in New York, Puerto Rico, United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico, and the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her three daughters and her dog, Maya.