Martha Gonzalez-Cortes recently joined the Kalamazoo Community Foundation as vice president of our Community Investment team.

Martha comes to us from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights where she served as Community Relations director, managing the statewide education and outreach team of the MDCR Community Relations Division.

With a public service career spanning more than 20 years, Martha has a proven track record of effectiveness working in nonprofit, academic, and public policy environments.

Prior to working for the State of Michigan, she served as CEO of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan and as the state director for the Office of Migrant Affairs.

Martha, a native of West Michigan, has a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in cultural anthropology from Stanford University.

"We’re thrilled to welcome Martha to our team," says Carrie Pickett-Erway, president/CEO. "Her experience and passion align with our mission and vision and we know she will contribute greatly to helping people in our community reach their full potential."

Says Martha, "It’s an honor to join the talented team at the Community Foundation. In my statewide work in different sectors over the years, Kalamazoo has always been a place of inspiration for creative collaboration, collective impact and innovation. I look forward to meeting the community partners, donors and residents that make Kalamazoo such a wonderful place to live!"

August 1, 2017