Ms. Mariela Cardona

Ricardo Vanella, Joanna Esty, Virgilio Reyes, Mariela Cardona, William J. Walker, Julio Hang, Carl Freeman, Shannon Heitkamp, IADCF, OEA, Defense,

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Ms. Mariela Cardona

Treasurer

Inter-American Defense College Foundation
Fort Lesley J. McNair,
Washington D.C.

USA

Mariela Cardona, an esteemed Inter-American Defense College (IADC) alum from Class 47, is a distinguished academic. She holds a degree in journalism from New York University, a Master’s in International Relations from The American University in Washington DC, and a Master’s in Hemispheric Defense and Security from the prestigious Universidad del Salvador in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the IADC.

During her time at the IADC, Mariela not only excelled academically, earning the second-highest academic recognition, but also showcased exceptional leadership skills. She spearheaded various social activities and formed enduring friendships with her peers, a clear testament to her sociable nature and her ability to connect with others.

Mariela served as Director of Public Affairs, Public Engagement, and Customer Service for the legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service under the US Department of Justice (1989- 2003), later transitioning to the Department of Homeland Security (2003- 2019), where she managed a multichannel engagement center serving over 400,000 customers per day. She retired as a Senior Executive in 2019.

Mariela is a national expert on US immigration law, media relations, community engagement, servant leadership, and customer experience. She remains professionally engaged as a consultant under the banner of Mariela M. Cardona LLC.

Mariela’s commitment to serving on the IADC Foundation board results from her formative experience at the IADC. This year of personal and professional growth accelerated her career and cemented a professional network in the Americas that continues to exist today.

She firmly believes that the Foundation can provide a robust support network for past, present, and future students, faculty, and IADC leadership. By uniting dedicated individuals who share a passion for service, she sees the Foundation as a catalyst for strengthening hemispheric defense and security in the Americas.

She is willing to serve the Foundation and its leadership in whichever capacity her skills are currently needed.