John Martinez is the Executive Director of Centro Campesino, a South Florida–based community development corporation dedicated to empowering families and strengthening communities. Under his leadership, Centro Campesino advances affordable housing, supports aspiring homeowners, and expands economic and educational opportunities. The organization envisions a thriving, collaborative community in which all families can pursue lasting economic mobility.

With more than 30 years of experience in community-based work, Mr. Martinez brings extensive expertise in multicultural outreach, organizational capacity-building, and national program leadership. His career spans a wide range of community and economic development roles, including leading a community development corporation; guiding a community action agency; directing a rural USDA Enterprise Community; managing an urban school-to-work initiative; and serving as the National Director of Workforce Development for UnidosUS (formerly the National Council of La Raza), the nation’s leading Latino civil rights and advocacy organization.

Mr. Martinez is a 2024 graduate of the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program in partnership with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He holds a Master of Science from Louisiana State University and a summa cum laude Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.

He currently serves on the Truist Bank South Florida Community Development Advisory Board and on the Board of MAFO – the National Partnership for Farmworkers and Rural Communities. His prior service includes membership on the UnidosUS Affiliate Council and as a Senior Fellow on Mexico with the U.S.–Mexico Solidarity Foundation.