Marilyn Nevy Cruz currently works at the inaugural national Federal Death Penalty Unit, serving clients across the country in federal capital cases facing the death penalty. She previously completed a two-year temporary duty assignment in the Program Operations Division of the Defender Services Office at the Administrative Office of the United States Courts. During that time, she was on leave from her position at the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the District of Columbia, where she investigated hundreds of federal criminal cases ranging from white-collar crimes to international drug trafficking and espionage.
Before working at the Public Defender Service, Marilyn worked at the Consulate of Guatemala in Los Angeles, California, on immigration protection matters. While in graduate school, she also worked as a behavior therapist with children and young adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice from San Francisco State University, a Master’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Fullerton, and completed one year of study at Växjö University in Sweden. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Affairs at Virginia Tech.
In addition to her professional career, Marilyn has been deeply involved with several community organizations. She is a proud member and Past President of the Rotary Club and Foundation of Washington, D.C., the oldest and largest Rotary Club in the nation’s capital. She currently serves as Assistant Governor for Washington, D.C., and as District Conference Chair for Rotary District 7620.
Marilyn is also the President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 11041 and Deputy Director of DC LULAC. She serves as President of her condominium association and sits on the Board of Directors of the Columbia Heights Educational Campus-MCIP, the Cal State DC Scholars Advisory Board, the National Women’s Foundation, the U.S. Foundation of the University of the Valley of Guatemala, and the Rotary Foundation of Washington, D.C. She is also the Franconia District Representative for the Fairfax County Advisory Social Services Board and Vice President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (OLOL Conference).
Marilyn is a proud Northern Virginia 40 Under 40 Honoree. She serves as Vice Chair and Latino Community Representative for the Alexandria City Community Gang Prevention Task Force and is currently a precinct election officer.
Marilyn, her husband David, and their Jack Russell Terrier, Charlie, live in Alexandria, Virginia.
