Alexis Martinez, MPH

I am optimistic about philanthropy’s potential to grow toward a more inclusive sector. I believe that those working in philanthropy can adopt collaborative approaches to create access to systems that are often restricted to specific groups and difficult to navigate.

As the Senior Partnerships Associate, I contribute to the Meyer Foundation by managing and supporting key parts of our general grantmaking and capacity building programs. I currently oversee a number of current and prospective grantee partners in our regional grantmaking and program portfolio.

My recent completion of a Master of Public Health graduate degree with a concentration in global health from Southern New Hampshire University has deepened my understanding of the intersection between health, racial equity, and justice. I’m committed to leveraging this understanding in my role to further drive my work at Meyer, where we invest in organizations that build power and address systemic inequities disproportionately affecting communities of color.

Before joining the Foundation, I was a graduate student at the American University School of International Service, studying international development specific to Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). As a student, I learned the external factors that lead many immigrants from places like LAC to the United States, particularly to the Greater Washington region. My studies have given me a more holistic view of the lives of people who are struggling within our current systems and, coupled with the experiences of my family who immigrated to the U.S. from Chile and Guatemala, my passion for advancing equity and justice in our region has only deepened.

I joined the Meyer Foundation in 2018.