Maria Fernanda Martinez currently serves as Chief of Operations and Student Affairs at the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies. Ms. Martinez joined the Perry Center in April 2011 and has previously served as an Operations Coordinator and Protocol Officer.

Prior to joining the Perry Center, Ms. Martinez worked at the Inter-American Defense Board and Inter-American Defense College as Protocol Coordinator from 2005-2011.

Born and raised in Cartago, Colombia, Ms. Martinez holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics from the Catholic University of Manizales, Colombia.

Her most notable awards include the Inter-American Defense Board Medal with one gold star and the "Faith in the Cause" Medal of the General Command of the Colombian Military Forces.