Heather Martin, Acting Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Director
Experience and Achievements
Heather Martin began her role as acting deputy chief of staff in the Office of the Director on March 10, 2025. Previously, she served as a senior advisor in the Office of the Director and was responsible for protocol and advance functions related to the director’s executive travel and engagements including planning, coordinating, and executing logistics, as well as the development of briefing materials.
Martin began her career at USCIS in 2008, serving in various roles in the Office of Communications. As a communications strategist, she planned large scale rollouts and developed external messaging for a variety of complex immigration issues in partnership with DHS and the White House. She has also served as an advisor in the External Affairs Directorate, coordinating travel and events for the director and acting as a senior advisor to the Chief of the Office of Legislative Affairs.
She has deployed with the Surge Capacity Force to support FEMA External Affairs during Hurricanes Sandy in New York, Irma in Florida, and Tropical Storm Helene in North Carolina.
Before joining the Office of the Director in 2022, Martin served on detail to the DHS Office of the Secretary as an advance representative and protocol officer at DHS, coordinating the secretary's participation in events and meetings throughout the country and abroad.