Wendys Story
WENDY'S STORY
Wendy’s story began in 1983, born to loving parents Juan Carlos and Cora Martinez in Managua, Nicaragua. She moved with her family to West Palm Beach, Florida when she was just five. She was raised to be proud of her Latina roots while embracing her future. She loved the beach and sought the solace of the ocean throughout her life to regenerate and reengage with her roots. Wendy always lived life with enthusiasm and deeply enjoyed her time with her family, while also cultivating her friendships, her athleticism, and love of travel. She never held back a compliment, had a knack for picking out the perfect gift, and everyone close to her knew they could count on her.
Throughout her academic career, Wendy was a standout student while also being an active member of her church family, a loving daughter, and a role model for her younger brother Juan Carlos Jr. In elementary school, she was a Member of the Honor Roll Society and received the Presidential Award.
Wendy got her first taste of Europe at age 12, when she visited Germany, Switzerland, and other countries to participate in a European Choral Festival. This sparked a lifetime of discoveries and enthusiasm for travel, which allowed her to appreciate other countries, cultures, mission trips, places, and long-lasting friendships. She found the world a delightful place to be part of.
At Lake Worth High, Wendy was a cheerleader, a competitive swimmer and President of her class. Here she met her best friend Luz, a friendship that spanned decades, babies, and careers. She continued to thrive in college and discovered a driving passion for Latin American affairs and foreign policy.
At 23, a scholarship from CHLI (Congregational Hispanic Leadership Institute) https://www.chli.org/ brought her to Washington, D.C. and launched her career in international affairs. While working for the Nicaraguan Embassy in D.C, she earned her Master’s in Latin American Studies at Georgetown University’s prestigious School of Foreign Service https://www.georgetown.edu/. She especially enjoyed serving as an intern for the USAID’s Human Right Office in Bogota, Colombia https://www.usaid.gov/colombia, where she had the opportunity to collaborate with local organizations to help displace young people living in areas of risk. She also worked as an electoral observer of the Organization of American States.
At the Inter-American Development Bank https://www.iadb.org/en, she worked hard to promote sustainability, and generate social impact, and never stopped thinking about how to facilitate and encourage economic development in emerging economies. Wendy was most at ease in multicultural settings. She picked jobs that allowed her to have the greatest impact and to achieve long lasting replicable results.
Wendy thrived in international affairs, but she believed that life begins by stepping outside of your comfort zone. Her fearlessness led her to shift her professional trajectory, so that she could work in technology at a start-up. This decision brought her to Fiscal Note, a startup dedicated to making government more transparent and accountable. At Fiscal Note, Wendy’s humble and hard work eventually earned her the title of Chief of Staff. In this role, Wendy fused her commitment to Fiscal Note’s growth with her love of giving back, helping to carve out a model of corporate citizenship that is now a key part of her legacy.
In all her spare time, Wendy met and fell in love with Daniel Hincapie, her fiancé. She also developed deep and loving friendships with women whom she admired, and whom loved her deeply. She teasingly called them her cabinet – and she sought and gave advice about work, love, friendships, with a group of women she considered her D.C. family.
Wendy worked long hours – but still loved to attend concerts, to go dancing and brunching, and to take cooking classes. She was a big believer in spreadsheets and helped to plan a close friend’s bachelorette party right down to the sparkly T-Shirt and other bridal flair, which she insisted that everyone wore. Wendy was especially grateful to be with a loving man who would stand beside her at Church and shared her passion for volunteering and running. They ran their first marathon together in 2018 in San Diego.
Dani proposed to Wendy on September 12, 2018, managing to surprise her with the help of another close friend, Erica, with the perfect emerald ring at her favorite location in D.C. – The Spanish Steps. She was thrilled to have finally found “the one” and eagerly agreed as they started planning their life together.
Just one short week later, on the evening of September 18, 2018, Wendy lost her life to a senseless act of violence when she went out of an early evening run. She was training to qualify for the Boston Marathon and told Dani she would return with porkchops for dinner. Minutes before she left, she had confirmed plans with another close friend, Kristina, to go wedding dress shopping later that week. Wendy and Dani were planning two weddings, one in Colombia and one in the U.S. She had picked out a gorgeous gown with Cora, her mother, just days earlier, but wanted a friend’s opinion on the second gown.
Wendy’s story ended steps from her Logan Circle apartment; she was only 35.
Those fortunate to know and love Wendy know that she was a unique, warm, inspiring human being, with the very best laugh. She was a passionate dreamer who sought to change the world by empowering women in technology, entrepreneurship, and connecting deeply with her community thru running, fitness, coaching, and networking. Above all, she was a gift to all the people she met, and memories of and with her will be cherished forever.
While the assailant ended her life that night, her light and inspiration will forever live on through the Wendy Martinez Legacy Project.
In 2005, Wendy was interviewed by her hometown’s local paper, the Palm Beach Post, and she said to the reporter that she wanted to be remembered in life for three things:
• For her Christian Faith
• For being a woman who helped others.
• For being a contributor to strengthen the relationship among the Latin American Countries.
Through her personal relationships, career, professional experience, church family, and travels, we are grateful that God fulfilled the desires of her heart! Wendy will always be remembered as the girl who enjoyed life to the fullest and loved, inspired, and served people with grace, humility, and grateful heart.
