Marshall Martinez was appointed as Interim Executive Director of Equality New Mexico (EQNM) and the EQNM Foundation in September of 2020. The previous Executive Director had been placed on administrative leave and then resigned his position, and there was an urgent need to find a replacement for him. Martinez, who had been involved with EQNM and the EQNM Foundation since 2002, was a member of a working committee whose goal was to rebuild and grow the organizations. He volunteered to serve as Interim Executive Director for a six month period to stabilize the organization. This helped the all-volunteer board mitigate the struggle of trying to engage in a search during this tumultuous time. The six month period is nearing its end and the boards have just completed an evaluation of his job performance.
EQNM and the EQNM Foundation conducted a community survey to obtain community input for our evaluation of Martinez’ performance. The responses from the community indicated the community was very pleased in the organizations’ new direction and approaches, as well as with the work and efforts of Marshall Martinez as interim Executive Director.
The EQNM and EQNM Foundation boards of directors are also very pleased with Martinez’ efforts over the past five/six months. Here are some results from a community survey that 66 people responded to earlier this year:
How would you rate your overall impressions of EQNM leadership right now? More than 70% of respondents rated their impressions as a 9 or 10 on a scale of 10.
Among the 52 respondents who had interacted with the Interim Executive Director, 73% rated their interactions with him as a 10 out of 10.
When asked how they would rate the current direction of EQNM Legislative Advocacy work, more than 75% rated it as a 9 or a 10.
More than 65% of respondents recommended EQNM to friends/family who are interested in LGBTQ issues.
Finally, more than 74% of respondents supported removing the "Interim" from Marshall’s title, making him the official Executive Director of Equality New Mexico.
As a result of the board’s and the community’s positive assessment of Martinez’ performance since his appointment, the board has offered Marshall Martinez the Executive Director position at EQNM and EQNMF on a permanent basis.
Martinez’ first Community Organizing job was at EQNM in 2002-2003 - when it was fighting for Workplace Discrimination protections at the State Legislature. In the years since Marshall has continued his activism and advocacy work, having supported many candidates and elected officials in their bids for public office on political campaigns. Marshall was the Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico for 5 years. Marshall is no stranger to the work and has proven to be well-suited to pick up the decades long mantle of EQNM and move us into the next decade.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors - Equality New Mexico and Equality New Mexico Foundation