CVJC announces hiring of its new executive director

Alma Martinez has deep community roots in Merced County and the San Joaquin Valley

The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) is proud to announce the appointment of Alma Martinez as its new Executive Director.

Ms. Martinez brings over 20 years of personal and professional experience as a former journalist, Latino and immigrant community liaison in the public and private sector, and the founding director of the Central Valley Latino Leadership Academy.

Drawing upon her own lived experiences, Ms. Martinez embodies an authentic set of Central Valley values shaped by her family’s immigration journey from Mexico and her personal growth as an English learner.

Through her determined efforts to learn English, she found inspiration and formative connection to the stories and narratives found in newspapers, instilling in her a deep belief in the power of a community-centered free press reporting news stories that reflect the everyday lives of those whose voices are often overlooked in the media.

This, coupled with her dedication to the Central Valley, make her the ideal candidate to lead CVJC in its mission to support a thriving, sustainable free press for a growing multiracial, multicultural, and multilingual Central Valley.

CVJC incoming Board Chair Priscilla Enriquez shared her enthusiasm for the appointment, stating, "Ms. Martinez’s extensive experience grounded in the community will help shape the Valley’s news infrastructure in a completely different way. Her ability to genuinely connect with people, build nonprofit start-ups, form partnerships, and successfully resource community-based efforts will be instrumental in shaping the future of journalism in our region and championing the voices of our diverse communities."

Ms. Martinez's leadership in the Central Valley journalism career began at the non-profit public radio network Radio Bilingue, where, as their first environmental health reporter, she spent over a decade witnessing the profound impact that storytelling can have on communities. This experience ignited her passion for shining a light on the region's resilience and the importance of a dependable free press in highlighting the Central Valley's challenges and victories.

Ms. Martinez's strategic vision for CVJC centers on people—emphasizing storytelling, innovative funding partnerships and resource development, and the continued visibility for diverse storytellers. She is committed to ensuring effective journalism in a region of the state that has gone underreported and under-resourced. 

Upon her appointment, Ms. Martinez expressed her eagerness to contribute to CVJC's mission: "I am thrilled to join the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative as its inaugural Executive Director.

I believe access to timely, fact-based, quality local news in a region as culturally and economically rich as ours is key to a prosperous future. I look forward to working with the talented CVJC team, fostering connections within the Central Valley's journalism network, and ensuring our stories are told with objectivity, empathy, and impact.”