Katherine Martorell

Katherine Denisse Martorell Awad (Santiago, 18 January 1982) She served as Undersecretary for Crime Prevention during the second administration of President Sebastián Piñera from 2018 to 2021, and was previously a councillor for Quinta Normal between 2012 and 2016.

She has served on the board of the party’s policy institute, the Instituto Libertad, Her parents met while working at Codelco and separated when she was eight years old.

She read law at the Universidad Central de Chile (UCEN), a public administrator and law graduate.

Political career Martorell began her public service as legal director and head of community development (DIDECO) at the Municipality of Conchalí. She later served as councillor for Quinta Normal between 2012 and 2016,

Undersecretary (2018–2021) On 11 March 2018, under the second Piñera administration, she was appointed Undersecretary for Crime Prevention, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

During her tenure she oversaw the creation of the Comisaría Virtual (Virtual Police Station), a digital platform enabling citizens to process administrative matters with Carabineros without attending a police station in person. The platform, launched in 2019, was part of a modernisation drive to digitise public safety services.

Public profile: 2021– Martorell resigned her post on 17 August 2021 to join the presidential campaign of Sebastián Sichel as spokesperson for the Chile Vamos coalition. Following the first-round results, she later joined the José Antonio Kast campaign team in the area of public security.

Between April 2022 and December 2024, she served in the administration of Providencia Mayor Evelyn Matthei, advising on legal and public safety matters. Known for her composed and pragmatic style, she has remained a visible public figure, frequently appearing as a commentator on security and governance.

On 25 January 2023, she was appointed by the Senate as a member of the xpert Commission, tasked with advising the Constitutional Council in drafting a new constitutional text. Within the commission she focused on public security, institutional order, and strengthening autonomous bodies.