The New England Patriots have selected Marta Rivera as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award Presented by Nationwide.

The NFL, Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and Nationwide have partnered for the eighth annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the 2018 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market. 

The Patriots will honor Marta Rivera at their game on Thursday, Oct. 4 when they face the Indianapolis Colts. 

Born and raised in the Mission Hill neighborhood of Boston, Rivera carries more than 25 years of experience working in communities throughout the city. She is the Chief of Staff for the Mayor's Office of Health and Human Services in Boston. Before joining the Walsh administration in January, she was a self-employed consultant working with the Greater Boston Latino Network and the Obama Foundation. 

Prior to her consulting work, Rivera was the Service Delivery Manager for StreetSafe Boston, an initiative of the Boston Foundation designed to develop a proven program model to reduce gang-related violence in neighborhoods disproportionately and persistently affected by high rates of violent crimes. She also served as the Director of Capacity Building and Community Partnerships with the Boston Centers for Youth and Families. 

Rivera also spent the past 14 years as a Parenting Educator with Families First Parenting Programs, offering training to parents with limited access to parenting resources. Through Families First, Rivera has facilitated hundreds of workshops on a variety of topics, including positive discipline strategies, bullying and the impact of violence on children. 

Rivera's experience growing up in public housing in Mission Hill during one of Boston's most violent and challenging times fuels her passion to develop thriving communities. She is deeply committed to issues affecting urban families, youth and marginalized communities. This commitment is demonstrated by her service to several non-profits like My Brother's Keeper Boston, an initiative that addresses persistent opportunity gaps faced by young men of color.

Each award recipient will select an organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $2,000 donation.  

For over a decade, Rivera has served on the Board of Sociedad Latina and is currently the President. This community-based, non-profit organization addresses some of the more pressing issues facing Latino youth. She has chosen Sociedad Latina to receive the $2,000 donation.  

Now in its second year, Nationwide's support of the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards continues to demonstrate the company's commitment to the Hispanic community. In addition to Nationwide's partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Columbus-based insurance and financial services company also has partnerships with Latina Style, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Latino Professionals For America and Prospanica. The sponsorship of the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards aligns with Nationwide's goal of partnering with organizations that share the company's values of improving the lives of others and giving back to the community. 

"Nationwide is excited to continue to partner with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and the National Football League to once again present this year's Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards," said Jennifer MacKenzie, senior vice-president of Marketing at Nationwide. "Nationwide takes pride in providing resources, support and service to Hispanic consumers and business owners across the country. We look forward to celebrating the charitable efforts of Hispanic leaders in all 32 NFL markets during Hispanic Heritage Month."

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation – a nonprofit established by the White House in 1987 – inspires, prepares, and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce to meet America's priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles with satellite workspaces in New York, Silicon Valley, San Antonio, and Miami (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org).