Karla Martinez is PIF’s Deputy Director of Policy, where she manages PIF’s policy agenda integrating deep policy analysis with coalition-based advocacy. Karla is an analyst and social justice advocate with deep experience advancing immigrant health, food access, and equitable public benefits at the national, state, and local levels. Prior to joining PIF, Karla led immigrant health policy strategy at Community Catalyst, a PIF Steering Committee member. Previously at Every Texan, she led statewide policy campaigns and coalition strategies to advance racially equitable health and food policy. Karla has been part of PIF in several capacities including working groups, co-chairing the Nerds workgroup, and co-created Seguro Texas, a PIF state coalition. Her background also includes hands‑on program administration, community outreach, evaluation, and bilingual technical assistance across education service centers, health care institutions, and global health initiatives. Karla holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center. In 2023 Karla was one of 14 young leaders around the country to join the inaugural class of Rising Leaders for Results Fellowship with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, and is a 2024 Future of Texas Award recipient, recognized for her leadership in advancing equity‑driven policy solutions.
