Chris Martinez is CLF’s Senior Vice President for People, Culture, and Equity.
Before joining CLF in 2021, Chris served as the Chief People Officer for the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, MI and the Vice President for Leadership Development for the YMCA of Greater Richmond, VA. Chris has also served as a trainer, conference organizer, and DEI Advisory Council Member for the YMCA of the USA in Chicago, IL. Chris has extensive experience leading non-profit organizations, developing comprehensive DEI strategies, and facilitating a healthy and positive workplace culture.
Chris has spearheaded a number of important projects, including developing statewide conferences for emerging multicultural leaders, creating and implementing large-scale coaching and mentoring programs and serving as a U.S. delegate to the YMCA’s international Mano a Mano sin Fronteras (Hand-to-Hand without Borders) summit.
Chris continues to serve the YMCA in a volunteer capacity and has a passion for animal welfare, volunteering for such organizations as the ASPCA. He recently relocated from Raleigh, NC and spends his spare time tending to his menagerie of rescue pets.
Chris holds a B.S. degree in Youth Development with concentrations in Non-Profit Business Management and Sociology from Springfield College in Springfield, MA.