July 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
CONTACT:
media@aclu.org
INDIANAPOLIS -- The
Board of Directors of the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana today
announced the appointment of Claudia Peña Porretti as Executive Director,
effective July 17, 2006. Porretti succeeds Fran Quigley, who has accepted a
position as Director of Development and Operations for the Indiana University
School of Medicine's Kenya Partnership.
"Claudia Porretti has an
extraordinary blend of commitment, achievement and passion for the cause of
protecting all Americans' civil liberties," said Catherine Gibson, President of
the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Indiana. "Her understanding of minority
rights, the legal process, and her experience in fund raising and non-profit
management will allow her to continue to 'carry the torch' for Hoosiers.
Fran Quigley was an exemplary Executive Director for this organization, and we
all look forward to ensuring that Claudia continues the group's fine work."
Porretti comes to the ACLU of Indiana from Hoosier Veterans
Assistance Foundation of Indiana, Inc. (HVAF), where she has served as Director
of Development and Communications since 2005. HVAF is a non-profit organization
dedicated to eliminating homelessness for veterans and their families. Prior to
that, she was Director of Development and Special Events for La Plaza, Inc,
a non-profit Hispanic organization that provides programs and services in
the areas of health, social services, education, arts and culture, and economic
development to the Central Indiana Latino community.
"I could not
be more proud to further the mission, goals and great work of the ACLU,
especially in today's climate," Porretti said.
Porretti is a 2006
graduate of the Indiana University School of Law. During her studies, she served
as Secretary of the Hispanic Law Association, and was a member of the Black Law
Student Association. She is currently attending Indiana University School of
Public and Environmental Affairs, and expects to earn her Master of Public
Affairs in Nonprofit Management in May 2008.
In addition, Porretti has completed two courses at the IU Center on
Philanthropy's Fund Raising School. She received her Bachelor of Science in
Business Administration at Indiana Institute of Technology (Fort Wayne) in 2001,
and an Associate in Science (Business Administration) from Norwalk Community
College (Norwalk, Connecticut) in May 1993.
