As a first-generation Greek American, Marina Hadjioannou Waters, has dedicated 20 years of her career and academic interests advocating for the civil, political, and cultural rights of communities facing discrimination. She was the first University of Arizona student to pursue a simultaneous Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health degrees. As a law student, she worked for the State of Arizona, Office of Civil Rights and received a one-year fellowship to advance policy around the Americans with Disabilities Act.
After completing her degrees, she worked and taught in the fields of international public health and human rights law. A staff attorney at the University of Arizona, Marina represented indigenous communities as part of a team that brought legal claims against governments in foreign courts and to international human rights institutions. Without a doubt, her international work and interest in the field of disability culminated in her work for LUNA Language Services.
In her role as President, Marina oversees the growth of the company by managing contracts and establishing outreach programs with community partners. She works to promote language access for growing multilingual communities and to support organizations seeking to diversify their workforce and expand their services to the entire community. In addition to Title VI consulting, Marina publicly speaks on the important topics of nondiscrimination, multiculturalism, and corporate social responsibility.
Beyond her work at LUNA, Marina proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Exodus Refugee & Immigration (Vice President), Community Health Network Foundation (Board Chair), and is the head of Policy for the National Council of Interpreters in Health Care (NCIHC). Marina works across the region as the International Services Lead Volunteer for the Indiana American Red Cross. She also serves on Language Access Task Forces for the City of Indianapolis and the Supreme Court of Indiana.
For her leadership in her community, Marina was recognized as a Women of Influence in 2017 and as Alumna of the Year for her alma mater at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zucherman College of Public Health in 2021. Marina is also a runner, photographer, writer, mother of two, manages a flock of 40 chickens, and loves being part of a growing multicultural community in Indianapolis.