The Washington Redskins have selected Maria Cordona, Principal of Dewey Square Group, as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.

The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the fifth annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the 2015 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.

The Redskins will honor Maria on September 20 at their Hispanic Heritage game when they face the St. Louis Rams.

Maria has more than two decades of experience in the community affairs, government, politics, and public relations arenas. Recognized among the most influential Latinos in the country, Maria is a Principal at the Dewey Square Group (DSG), the founder of Latinovations, and a CNN/CNN en Español Political Contributor. As the head of DSG's Public Affairs Practice, she combines public policy, communications, coalition building, constituency outreach, government relations, traditional and new media at this premier national public affairs firm. During the 2008 Democratic primary election, she was senior adviser and spokesperson to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign and served on the campaign's Hispanic outreach team. During the 2008 general election, Maria was a key surrogate for the Obama for America campaign, a role she revisited in the most recent 2012 presidential election. Previously, she was a Senior Vice President for the New Democrat Network, and before that, the Communications Director for the Democratic National Committee. During the Clinton administration, she served as chief spokesperson at the Immigration and Naturalization Service at the U.S. Department of Justice after serving as Press Secretary for the Department of Commerce.

Each award recipient will select an organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $2,000 donation.  

Maria has chosen Hoops Sagrado to receive this donation.

The NFL will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during week 3 of the season. A national spotlight will be shined on the NFL's celebration during Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football.

About the Hispanic Heritage FoundationThe Hispanic Heritage Foundation is an award-winning nonprofit which inspires, identifies, prepares and connects Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America's priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions.  For more information on the year-round, high-impact programs and work of HHF, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards, visit www.hispanicheritage.org.