Robert D. and Billie Ray Pillar of Character Award 2024 - Marta Codina

Marta Codina joined The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center’s National Advisory Council in 2011 and served as chair in 2021-2022. A native of Cuba, Marta came to the United States as a refugee in the early 1960s with her parents. Her passion is “making a difference” through leadership development and diversity, equity, and inclusion. For nearly 15 years, Marta has been an integral part of The Ray Center’s mission to improve civility through character development and ethical leadership. Marta’s leadership was instrumental in the transition of Character Counts! in Iowa to The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University along with the acquisition of the global CHARACTER COUNTS! initiative.
A veteran of more than 40 years in the financial services industry, Marta started her career as a bank teller during high school in Houston, Texas. She moved to Iowa in 1992 and has been actively involved in many initiatives to positively impact central Iowa. In addition to her many years of service to The Ray Center and CHARACTER COUNTS!, Marta has served on the Greater Des Moines Partnership Board/Executive Committee, Central Iowa Community Foundation, Drake University Board of Trustees, and as a co-chair of the Junior Achievement of Central Iowa board. Marta recently led an important community initiative to strategize solutions for racial inequities in the Des Moines Metro, the DSM 4 Equity Task Force. She is a 2021 recipient of the Des Moines Business Record’s Women of Influence award.
Marta is currently in an enterprise-level role at Wells Fargo with the Growth and Branch Administration team, where she is responsible for strategies and execution around customer experience across all branches.
Marta and her husband, Jim Bruno, are proud parents to their son, Nicholas, and daughter, Maddie, and enjoy spending time with their grandsons, Jett and Dash.
The Ray Awards are the organization’s highest honor and reflect Governor and Mrs. Ray’s lifelong commitment to civility and character development. The Pillar of Character Award was presented to Governor Ray in 2003 and Mrs. Billie Ray in 2021 for their visionary leadership and exemplary character. The award is named in honor of Governor and Mrs. Ray to honor their legacy.