PFLAG National Board of Directors Welcomes Walmart’s Kathy Martinez

Martinez is Director of Labor Relations for Walmart’s South East Area

WASHINGTON–PFLAG National announces the election of Kathy Martinez, Director of Labor Relations for Walmart’s South East, to the Board of Directors. Martinez joins the 20-member board, as the nation’s largest and longest-serving organization for LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) people, their parents and families, and allies begins 48 years of operation.

President of the Board Kathy Godwin said of Martinez, “PFLAG National is very excited to welcome Kathy to our Board of Directors. For years, Kathy has been an advocate for PFLAG National within Walmart, especially in moving the nation’s largest employer to be welcoming and affirming of employees, vendors, and customers who are LGBTQ+ throughout the U.S. Further, her personal experience as a Latinx, lesbian parent will contribute welcome insight to PFLAG’s governance.”

“Kathy Martinez is dedicated to delivering the skills needed to uplift and energize individuals to reach their greatest potential. She has demonstrated that through her work with Walmart’s PRIDE Associate Resource Group, as well as through her service to Dress for Success Miami. PFLAG National is very excited to welcome her expertise to our Board of Directors,” said PFLAG National Executive Director Brian K. Bond.

Martinez has more than 15 years’ experience in human resources, employee and labor relations. As Labor Relations Director at Walmart, her work includes communication and training, and developing strategies and implementation of short and long-term associate relations plans. For nearly 10 years, Walmart has been a corporate partner of PFLAG National. Together, they have delivered equity and inclusion learning sessions to its vast network of employees through PFLAG National’s Straight for Equality^TM program. As a member of Walmart’s PRIDE Associate Resource Group leadership team for the U.S. and in her role as Labor Relations Director for the South East, Martinez has played a key role in elevating LGBTQ+ inclusive trainings and policies at Walmart, including the addition of pronoun buttons to its 1.3 million associate uniforms.

Martinez said of her election, “I am honored by the opportunity to serve on the PLAG National Board of Directors. I am passionate and encouraged by their work to move forward LGBTQ+ equality and rights. I most certainly consider being part of an organization that works tirelessly to support our LGBTQ+ communities a dream come true. I am excited and eager to learn from some amazing individuals that believe in inclusion, as well as to humbly offer my knowledge to continue to bring the organization forward.”

The proud mother of three, Martinez, her wife, and their daughters live in South Florida. In addition to her work with PFLAG, Martinez serves on the board of directors of Dress for Success Miami, where she has volunteered since 2011.

ABOUT PFLAG NATIONAL
PFLAG National is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies. With over 400 chapters and 200,000 members and supporters crossing multiple generations of families in major urban centers, small cities, and rural areas across America, PFLAG is committed to creating a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed. To learn more, visit pflag.org, like us on Facebook (/pflag), or follow us on Twitter (@pflag) or Instagram.