Sylvia Martinez, Girls Inc. Distinguished Alumna and national scholar, will become the new President and CEO of Girls Inc. of Memphis. Martinez will draw on over 160 years of legacy with the organization in its unrelenting quest to make strong, smart, and bold girls. Girls Inc has long been a leader in youth development with necessary programs that help girls overcome barriers so that they can realize their potential. For Martinez, this appointment is at once a professional honor and the pinnacle culmination of her dedicated career advocating for girls and women.
This transition comes as Martinez faces the changing challenges in nonprofits’ missions, especially in the rapidly growing complex funding landscape. She has learned that dependence on charitable donations alone is no longer acceptable for fundraising requirements in contemporary philanthropy. She now believes that “today’s donors expect greater transparency, measurable outcomes, and a focus on long-term sustainability”. To these expectations, she has refocused on reimagining the whole operational strategy, diversifying the organization’s streams of revenue, and embracing what makes the organization innovative, such that it could be sustainable.
Martinez aims to open access for all girls to Girls Inc. of Memphis, regardless of economic status. The organization will continue to deliver top-notch programs that maximize participation with minimum financial barriers to entry in this period of changing nonprofit funding dynamics. To achieve this, Martinez is looking at operational efficiency as well as expanding the partnerships with corporate sponsors, individual donors, and government agencies while exploring new avenues for resource development.
Beyond her work at Girls Inc., Martinez also pursues her dissertation in urban education at the University of Memphis. Sylvia Martinez, through her scholarship and work life, exemplifies a deep passion for education, service, and innovation dedicated to ensuring that the mission of Girls Inc. endures for generations to come.
