by Joelle L. Martinez | Aug 5, 2026
A recent Wall Street Journal article profiled a growing number of companies generating millions of dollars in annual revenue with only one or two employees. Powered by artificial intelligence, these businesses represent a remarkable leap in productivity. They also...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Jul 22, 2026
The latest Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) U.S. Latino Economic Impact Report should change the way we think about the American economy. For years, conversations about Latino economic advancement have focused on workforce participation, entrepreneurship, purchasing...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Jul 8, 2026
The Fourth of July has long been a conflicted holiday for me. This year, as America marked 250 years of independence, I felt that tension more deeply than ever. I love this country. That has never been in question. For much of my career, I have dedicated myself to...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Jul 1, 2026
Latino economic power has transformed the marketplace. Corporate investment has not. The last time the United States hosted the FIFA World Cup was 1994. America looked very different then. The Latino population was approximately 26 million people. Latino purchasing...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Jun 24, 2026
By Joelle Martinez For decades, we have talked about the Latina wage gap. We have measured its impact on earnings, retirement savings, homeownership, and economic mobility. We have calculated what it costs women, families, and communities when talent is undervalued...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Jun 17, 2026
Every four years, something remarkable happens. Flags appear on car windows. Group chats come alive. Restaurants fill with fans. Grandparents share stories about the countries they left decades ago. Children fantasize about one day playing on the pitch. The World Cup...
by Joelle L. Martinez | May 27, 2026
Every Graduation Marks the Beginning of a New Chapter Every graduation marks a transition. It creates a bridge between who we are today and who we have the potential to become. That reality explains why graduation season feels so emotional. People do not celebrate a...
by Joelle L. Martinez | May 20, 2026
May 20, 2026 By Joelle L. Martinez When Policy Stops Being Abstract Before I launched the LLI more than 12 years ago, I spent much of my career in and out of Washington, D.C., managing economic policy portfolios tied to workforce development, entrepreneurship,...
by Joelle L. Martinez | May 13, 2026
Why Mental Health Is a Leadership Issue May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year the topic feels especially personal. Originally, I planned to write about statistics. The numbers certainly matter. Nearly one in five Latino adults experiences mental illness...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Apr 22, 2026
I received an email this week from my dear friend, Dr. David Hayes-Bautista, one of the original architects behind the Latino GDP. The headline was clear: Latino GDP has reached $4.4 trillion, making it the fourth-largest economy in the world if it stood on its own....
by Joelle L. Martinez | Apr 15, 2026
April 15, 2026 By Joelle Martinez Last week, I had the honor of presenting at the LGHN Annual Conference, where I posed a question to leaders from across the country: are we underscaling our own future? Demographic Destiny—But Not a Guarantee When we look at the...
by Joelle L. Martinez | Apr 8, 2026
April 8, 2026 By Joelle Martinez One of the most important lessons I continue to learn as a leader and CEO is this: there is always more to see. Not just in the market. Not just in the organizations we lead. But within ourselves. At every stage of leadership, we are...
