Our Team
Jenn Pellegrino
FOUNDER
A native of rural upstate New York, Jenn Pellegrino founded Defend Forgotten America Action to champion forgotten communities and restore power to the people who built America.
Jenn previously served as Chief Spokesperson for the America First Policy Institute, a primetime host for Newsmax, and a White House Correspondent during President Trump’s first term. In these roles, she saw firsthand how Washington’s bureaucracy holds back small businesses and working families.
From the border crisis to the lawlessness in America’s cities to the runaway inflation of the Biden administration, her reporting has exposed how the Washington establishment has failed everyday Americans. Through Defend Forgotten America Action, she’s now fighting to ensure state and local leaders—not unelected bureaucrats—drive America’s future.
A proud alumnus of the University of South Carolina and an avid marathon runner, Jenn has completed over 80 marathons throughout the United States.
Jorge E. Martinez
executive vice president and chief of staff
Jorge Martinez is a nationally recognized expert in public affairs, strategic communications, and political outreach, with over three decades of experience delivering winning strategies for high-stakes initiatives across the public and private sectors.
Jorge previously served as National Director of Hispanic Outreach at the America First Policy Institute, where his leadership was instrumental in achieving a historic milestone: President Donald J. Trump secured the highest level of Hispanic support ever for a Republican presidential candidate. A trusted Administration advisor, Jorge is frequently tapped to manage advance operations for numerous White House trips to different parts of the world, most recently for President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
Previously, Jorge was Chief of Staff and Executive Vice President for York Exponential, a leading robotics and artificial intelligence company. He also served as Press Secretary at the U.S. Department of Justice, where he was a key advisor during high-profile national events.
Jorge continues to appear in media outlets throughout the world, including Spanish-language networks.
