Laura Martinez
she/her/hers
Director of Participant Experience
Laura Martinez brings more than a decade of experience advancing workforce development, education equity, and social justice. As Director of Participant Experience, Laura oversees the California Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship teams, ensuring participants statewide receive high-quality, supportive programming that opens pathways to meaningful, sustainable careers.
Laura Martinez
she/her/hers
Director of Participant Experience
Laura Martinez brings more than a decade of experience advancing workforce development, education equity, and social justice. As Director of Participant Experience, Laura oversees the California Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship teams, ensuring participants statewide receive high-quality, supportive programming that opens pathways to meaningful, sustainable careers.
Laura brings a strong background in workforce development to Chef Ann Foundation through her work at Bitwise Industries and Calbright College, where she helped design and lead pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship pathways rooted in access, dignity, and real economic opportunity. Her work expanded career-connected learning opportunities for adult learners across California. At the heart of Laura’s work is a deep commitment to enhancing the participant experience, building programs that honor lived experiences, strengthen community partnerships, and support long-term success.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Laura holds a dual BA in Communications and Spanish from San Francisco State University, an MA in International Studies with a focus on Communication for Development from Ohio University, and is a former Peace Corps volunteer.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, and being with her daughter and their pets.
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