Community Engagement Manager Raúl Martínez spends a sunny day on the green at the Yakima Country Club.
Raúl Martínez joins Inatai Foundation as Community Engagement Manager. We asked Raúl ten questions to learn more about his background, community, and how he connects to our work at Inatai.
Name:Raúl Martínez
Pronouns: he/him
Role: Community Engagement Manager
Home County: Yakima, Yakima County
1. What are three words that describe you?
Collaborative, creative, and grounded.
2. What is the “long story short” of how you landed at Inatai?
I learned about Inatai by following the work the foundation has been doing in communities across Washington. What stood out to me was the long-term vision and the focus on building real power with communities, not just serving them from a distance. My career has always centered on showing up, listening, and helping people navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind. I wanted to be part of a team that understands both the people and the systems and works to change both. Joining Inatai felt like the right place to keep doing that work.
3. What excites you most about being part of Team Inatai?
I’m drawn to Inatai’s long-term approach and the commitment to real change that takes time, trust, and consistency. It feels rare to find an organization willing to stay in the work for the long haul. I’m also excited to be part of a team that leads with values and honesty. Being around people who show up with that kind of intention makes the work feel meaningful.
4. Tell us about the community or communities you belong to.
I’m rooted in the Yakima Valley and in the experiences of being a first-generation Mexican American. I belong to communities that include Spanish-speaking families and many others who show up for one another with strength, care, and a deep sense of connection. These communities shaped me, and they continue to guide how I show up in my work and in my life.
5. Inatai’s strategies are underlined by a 50-Year Vision informed by communities. What is it about your community that keeps you hopeful for the future?
I am hopeful because people across Washington show a level of resilience and mutual support that is real and lasting. Communities stay connected through relationships, shared history, and the way people show up for one another. That gives me confidence that together we can help shape a more just and equitable future for our state.
6. Finish this sentence: The Inatai value the most resonates with me is…
Learning.
7. What is your favorite fact about Washington?
I love that Washington is one of the few places where you can drive from a desert to a rainforest in just a few hours. The variety of landscapes and how different the state can look and feel in a single day is something I have always appreciated.
8. Where is your favorite place in Washington?
One of my favorite places in Washington is the Yakima Greenway. It is a gorgeous stretch of land that follows the Yakima River for nearly twenty miles. It is great for walking, biking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors, and it is amazing to see the diverse wildlife along the way.
9. What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that you would recommend? Why?
I would recommend watching one of Juan Gabriel’s live performances at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. He challenged expectations of what it meant to be a Mexican man while performing songs with emotional depth and blending mariachi, orchestra, and pop in a way that still feels timeless.
10. What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I enjoy spending time in community in different ways, whether that is being outdoors playing golf, running, or working out. I also love going to live shows and working on producing music whenever I can. It is a good balance of movement, creativity, and connection.
