Wanda Martinez-Johncox
Wanda Martinez-Johncox
Rotary Club of Rochester Southwest
Wanda will be partnering with Pam on our DEI breakout sessions and is part of the panel for our DEI panel discussion.
Rotary Club of Rochester Southwest
Wanda will be partnering with Pam on our DEI breakout sessions and is part of the panel for our DEI panel discussion.
Wanda was born and raised in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. She was the 1997 National Chess Champion of Puerto Rico, and channeled her strategic thinking into a nearly 11-year career at the Canandaigua Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), where she became a dedicated voice for LGBTQ+ veterans, especially during the, "don't ask, don't tell" period.
Her commitment to education shines through her 11-year role on the Out Alliance's Education Team. Wanda's works were displayed at one of the Changemakers Exhibition at the Rochester Museum & Science Center for her advocacy and work in the community.
In response to Hurricane Maria's devastation, Wanda founded Re-lief Corp, a nonprofit organization providing essential resources to those in need. Her advocacy extended to various boards, including the LGBTQ+ Community Advisory Board, Women Build Board Member Habitat for Humanity, farm workers and immigration advocacy through the Rural & Migrant Ministry, Pink Nail Society, Inc., and the American Red Cross. Simultaneously, Wanda's personal commitment to causes like volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Roc Pride, Team Rubicon and deployments with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Responder, translator and Mass Care. Wanda is also teaching chess to veterans.
Wanda became a Rotarian in 2021. She received a Rotarian Rookie of the year 2022 and a Paul Harris in 2022. She is an RLI Graduate (2022) and her current role in Rotary District 7120 is DEI Committee Chair 2023-2026.
Wanda resides in Canandaigua, NY with her wife, two kids and her dog Toy.
In response to Hurricane Maria's devastation, Wanda founded Re-lief Corp, a nonprofit organization providing essential resources to those in need. Her advocacy extended to various boards, including the LGBTQ+ Community Advisory Board, Women Build Board Member Habitat for Humanity, farm workers and immigration advocacy through the Rural & Migrant Ministry, Pink Nail Society, Inc., and the American Red Cross. Simultaneously, Wanda's personal commitment to causes like volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Roc Pride, Team Rubicon and deployments with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Responder, translator and Mass Care. Wanda is also teaching chess to veterans.
Wanda became a Rotarian in 2021. She received a Rotarian Rookie of the year 2022 and a Paul Harris in 2022. She is an RLI Graduate (2022) and her current role in Rotary District 7120 is DEI Committee Chair 2023-2026.
Wanda resides in Canandaigua, NY with her wife, two kids and her dog Toy.