John Martinez is a member of MDRC’s executive team and is a corporate officer. He is an expert in project incubation and start-up and serves as a senior advisor to many of MDRC’s youth-focused projects. John plays a key role in new program development across MDRC’s policy areas and centers and oversees MDRC’s grants-management and funder-relations functions. Over his 25+ years at MDRC, John has also focused on youth development, criminal justice, and employment policy.
John served as President of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management in 2022 and is a former Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Youth Employment Coalition. Before joining MDRC, John conducted research in a substance abuse treatment center and began his career as a food stamp eligibility worker. John holds a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from the University of Virginia.