Maria Olmedo-Malagon
Maria Olmedo-Malagon has been at the Census Bureau for nearly a decade – and since 2016 runs the 2020 Census Integrated Partnerships and Communications Program. As program manager, she oversees a $1 billion communications campaign that includes paid advertising, public relations and events, social media, development of digital platforms and national and local partnerships.
Previously, Maria served as assistant division chief for Program Management and Communications in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Office. In this role, she oversaw all management, data user education, outreach and promotional efforts related to the survey. Before joining the Census Bureau, Maria was director for Food Safety Education at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Here, she managed an award-winning advertising, social media and public relations campaign. She also served as an executive officer in the Office of External Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency overseeing communications efforts during national disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy.
Maria started her career at the U.S. Census Bureau in 2004 as a governmental affairs specialist in the Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office, and was team leader for Stakeholders Relations in the 2010 Census Publicity Office, where she coordinated communication activities and managed messaging and content for Hispanic, Puerto Rican and immigrant populations.
Maria graduated magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico, where she majored in political science, and holds a master’s degree in Public Opinion and Survey Research from the University of Connecticut. She also received a master’s certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.
She is the recipient of several awards, including: USDA’s Cultural Transformation Award, the National Association of Government Communicator Blue Pencil Award, the Web Health Award and the Census Bureau Director’s Award for Innovation. Maria is a Senior Excellence in Government Fellow.
She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband Christian, daughter Sara and son Enrique.
Previously, Maria served as assistant division chief for Program Management and Communications in the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey Office. In this role, she oversaw all management, data user education, outreach and promotional efforts related to the survey. Before joining the Census Bureau, Maria was director for Food Safety Education at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Here, she managed an award-winning advertising, social media and public relations campaign. She also served as an executive officer in the Office of External Affairs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency overseeing communications efforts during national disasters, such as Superstorm Sandy.
Maria started her career at the U.S. Census Bureau in 2004 as a governmental affairs specialist in the Customer Liaison and Marketing Services Office, and was team leader for Stakeholders Relations in the 2010 Census Publicity Office, where she coordinated communication activities and managed messaging and content for Hispanic, Puerto Rican and immigrant populations.
Maria graduated magna cum laude from the University of Puerto Rico, where she majored in political science, and holds a master’s degree in Public Opinion and Survey Research from the University of Connecticut. She also received a master’s certificate in Project Management from George Washington University.
She is the recipient of several awards, including: USDA’s Cultural Transformation Award, the National Association of Government Communicator Blue Pencil Award, the Web Health Award and the Census Bureau Director’s Award for Innovation. Maria is a Senior Excellence in Government Fellow.
She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband Christian, daughter Sara and son Enrique.