Make-a-Wish replaces president of Bethesda-based chapter

The local chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation on Monday replaced its president after an investigation by its national headquarters into staff complaints about management style -- and on the heels of the resignations Friday of all but one of the 20-person local board of directors.

Catherine C. Martens's departure after a little more than two years as head of the Bethesda-based Mid-Atlantic chapter was due to "unacceptable workplace conduct," said national spokesman Paul Allvin from Phoenix. "It did not involve financial improprieties or the granting of wishes or criminal conduct," he said.

Late last year, the headquarters reviewed staff complaints about what they deemed a hostile work environment, according to staff statements shared with reviewers and The Washington Post. The local chapter has experienced high turnover, Allvin confirmed.

Martens, reached at home Monday, declined to say whether she left voluntarily, "but I would be happy to talk about this as it progresses." She would not comment on staff complaints.

The most recent tax returns for the local chapter shows Martens earned $190,000 a year as president. Last April, she also became chairman of an umbrella group of 21 local charities that broke away from the local United Way and formed Community 1st. Martens, 59, said she retains that position.

The local chapter covers the District, Maryland, Delaware and Northern Virginia and has granted about 330 wishes each of the past three years, according to national records. It had public donations of $4.6 million in the fiscal year ending in August 30, 2008.

Susan Sewell, of the national headquarters staff, will be interim director.