LAURA MARTINEZ
Summary
Community affairs and economic development professional with experience serving as a connector between public agencies, elected officials, businesses, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and residents. Skilled at building trusted relationships, navigating complex systems, coordinating cross-sector resources, and translating community and business priorities into actionable solutions. Experienced in supporting public-space activation, small-business development, community engagement, grant development, program implementation, and strategic events. Proven ability to anticipate and respond to community concerns, facilitate collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and move initiatives from concept through implementation. Award-winning grant writer with more than $35,000 secured in funding for business associations, community organizations, cultural programming, and local businesses.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Coordinator I
CITY OF PORTLAND — PORTLAND SOLUTIONS
01.2025 - Current
- Serve as a community-facing coordinator connecting business owners, residents, City agencies, public safety partners, elected officials, and community organizations to address livability and public-space concerns.
- Conduct site visits throughout Portland's four districts to identify community and business needs and develop high-level presentations, reports, and work plans to support public-space cleaning, activation, and problem-solving efforts.
- Partner directly with local business owners to understand concerns, coordinate appropriate resources, and facilitate solutions related to public safety, graffiti, illegal dumping, and other livability issues.
- Help community members navigate complex government reporting systems, improving their ability to communicate concerns and access appropriate City services.
- Receive, research, document, and follow up on community complaints while coordinating service delivery and tracking outcomes.
- Participate in weekly meetings with Portland Police and other problem-solving partners to identify issues, coordinate responses, and advance solutions.
- Serve as a liaison among City Council offices, stakeholders, residents, business and neighborhood associations, nonprofits, and other organizations, providing presentations and facilitating communication across groups.
- Created an Economic Development Series for District 1 Business Associations to increase awareness of resources and funding opportunities for small businesses.
- Partnered with Senator Kayse Jama on District 1 event marketing and community engagement initiatives.
District Ambassador, Council District 1
VENTURE PORTLAND
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Built and maintained relationships with District 1 businesses, community organizations, residents, public agencies, and elected officials to identify needs and connect stakeholders with resources.
- Supported economic development initiatives focused on strengthening small businesses and improving commercial districts.
- Coordinated community engagement efforts and worked across organizations to address neighborhood priorities and livability concerns.
- Developed and maintained relationships with diverse institutions, nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations while facilitating communication and collaboration.
Founder / CEO
WORLD FUSION EVENTS
01.2011 - Current
- Lead development and implementation of community-centered cultural, educational, and economic engagement programs connecting artists, businesses, community organizations, and the public.
- Develop partnerships, negotiate agreements, coordinate stakeholders, manage vendors, and oversee program logistics from concept through execution.
- Conceptualized and organized the World Music and Cultural Entertainment Series, creating recurring opportunities for community members to experience cultural traditions, music, food, and arts.
- Co-founded the Latin Artists Connectivity Series, creating a platform for artists from Latin America and local artists to connect, share resources, and participate in compensated programming.
- Created Building Bridges, an interactive children's cultural education program in partnership with Ethos Music Center and Hands On Art and Play.
- Established working relationships with U.S. Senators Merkley and Wyden and their staff to navigate visa and work-permit issues for international artists, coordinating with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security.
- Manage communications, programming, contracts, negotiations, transportation, and stakeholder follow-up for professional and international artists.
- Evaluate service providers, speakers, suppliers, staff, and volunteers to ensure programs meet quality standards and resources are used effectively.
Enforcement Assistant
OREGON PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Supported administrative and regulatory functions within a state agency environment, developed experience working within government processes and public-sector systems.
Administrative Assistant
OREGON UTILITY NOTIFICATION CENTER
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Delivered administrative and organizational support to enhance service delivery in public-service environment.
President
MIDWAY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
01.2023 - Current
- Lead initiatives supporting the vitality, visibility, and economic development of the Midway Business District.
- Raised $16,000 in grants and sponsorships for the organization.
- Increased social media engagement by 110%, contributing to increased donations and creation of a Community Investors membership category.
- Assisted small businesses with operations, marketing, financial resources, and livability-related challenges.
- Created networking mixers, tours, luncheons, and special events designed to strengthen small-business engagement and relationships.
- Rebranded the association to highlight the arts and identity of the district and oversaw development of a branded district decal series.
- Worked with Oregon state agencies and City of Portland agencies to coordinate resources addressing public-space and livability issues, resulting in a $10,000 Portland Solutions investment for an additional district mural.
- Collaborated with MetroEast to screen Food Foray, highlighting small businesses across Portland Districts 1 and 2; will partner with Food Foray to develop custom recipes and proprietary food items as promotional swag for the Mural Tour, creating additional opportunities to showcase local businesses and strengthen the visitor experience.
Education
Associate of Arts - Retail Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising
Los AngelesProfessional Meeting & Events Planning Certificate Program -
California State University, Long Beach
Administration of Non-Profits Certificate Program -
California State University, Long Beach
Art of Leadership Program: Board & Leadership Development -
Regional Arts and Culture Council
OregonFinancial Stewardship Resources: Grants & Treasurer Training -
Oregon State University
OregonSkills
- Community Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement
- Economic Development & Small-Business Support
- Public-Private & Cross-Sector Partnerships
- Government & Community Relations
- Community Outreach & Engagement Strategy
- Strategic Relationship & Partnership Development
- Program Development & Implementation
- Public-Space Activation & Livability Initiatives
- Grant Writing, Administration & Reporting
- Issue Resolution & Resource Coordination
- Facilitation, Presentations & Public Speaking
- Event & Community Program Management
- Strategic Communications, Marketing & Media Relations
- Oregon Public Meetings Law & Government Processes
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Microsoft Office Suite Google Workspace PowerPoint Zoom Microsoft Teams Google Chat QuickBooks Square Canva Adobe Photoshop WordPress Weebly GoDaddy Constant Contact Mailchimp Wild Apricot Social Media & Digital Marketing
Personal Information
Title: COMMUNITY AFFAIRS | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
- Bilingual English/Spanish
- Languages: English / Spanish
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Nilda Vazquez Scholarship — Creative Placemaking Conference, Professional Development Grant — Regional Arts & Culture Council, 2013 SGMP Rance Willis Planner Development Scholarship
VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
- Venture Portland, Board Member, 2026, Present
- Midway Business Association, President, 2023, Present
- Community Investment Trust, Advisory Committee Member
- Thrive East PDX, Economic Equity Workgroup Member
GRANTS, PARTNERSHIPS & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
- Secured more than $35,000 in grant funding for business associations, individuals, local businesses, and community programming.
- Secured a $10,000 Prosper Portland Vibrant Districts Grant for staffing at the Midway Business Association.
- Secured a $5,000 Prosper Portland Community Grant supporting a Latino community event.
- Secured a $2,500 Lane Arts Council grant for Empresarios, Fiesta Cultural cultural programming.
- Manage grant tracking and reporting and prepare detailed materials for funders.
- Developed marketing and communications materials that generated free advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
- Created newsletters, media kits, press releases, public service announcements, branded materials, and digital campaigns supporting community and business initiatives.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
- Curated two major mural reveal celebrations for the Midway Business Association, including projects funded by Venture Portland and the City of Portland.
- Organized the Leaders of East Portland mural reveal, bringing together community members, business stakeholders, artists, and all three District 1 City Councilors; the event drew more than 200 attendees.
- Created Nuestras Raices / Ven A Nuestra Casa, a program celebrating Latino/a/x/e arts, culture, and heritage; coordinated required permits with fire, health, and other agencies.
- Served as an integral member of the design and execution team for the Call 811 float in the Starlight Parade.
- Coordinated community events involving artists, businesses, public agencies, elected officials, nonprofits, and residents.
- Served as Hospitality Team Captain for the late Oregon State Representative Hoa Nguyen.
Timeline
Project Coordinator I
CITY OF PORTLAND — PORTLAND SOLUTIONS
01.2025 - Current
District Ambassador, Council District 1
VENTURE PORTLAND
01.2023 - 01.2025
President
MIDWAY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
01.2023 - Current
Enforcement Assistant
OREGON PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
01.2013 - 01.2015
Founder / CEO
WORLD FUSION EVENTS
01.2011 - Current
Administrative Assistant
OREGON UTILITY NOTIFICATION CENTER
01.2010 - 01.2014
Associate of Arts - Retail Marketing
Fashion Institute of Design And Merchandising
Professional Meeting & Events Planning Certificate Program -
California State University, Long Beach
Administration of Non-Profits Certificate Program -
California State University, Long Beach
Art of Leadership Program: Board & Leadership Development -
Regional Arts and Culture Council
Financial Stewardship Resources: Grants & Treasurer Training -
Oregon State University