Katie Martinez Whittle – MMHPI – Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute

Katie Martinez Whittle

Chief of Staff, The Hackett Center for Mental Health

Katie is a Licensed Master Social Worker who has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years, with a focus on improving outcomes for those who are impacted by socioeconomic inequities and social justice for children and youth.

At The Hackett Center for Mental Health, Katie supports projects in the Greater Houston and Gulf Coast region, including the Be Well, Be Connected program, a SAMHSA-funded System of Care grant that is focused on improving the lives of youth who have serious mental health conditions. She also supports work to expand mental health services and supports in schools, serves as a supervisor and mentor for interns and future mental health leaders, and assists in expanding the reach and engagement of The Hackett Center in the community.

Prior to joining The Hackett Center, Katie lived in Denver where she was the Director of Communications and Engagement at A+ Colorado, a research and advocacy nonprofit organization working to improve education for students throughout Colorado. Katie completed her Master of Social Work at the University of Houston. As part of the program, her internships focused on public policy, education, and community outreach. While attending school, Katie was the Associate Director of Development at Children At Risk, a research and advocacy nonprofit in Texas. While completing her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Texas Tech University, Katie volunteered with youth who were at-risk which influenced her career trajectory. She was a mentor as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program for over 4 years and enjoys working with community programs to advance policies that will improve the lives of children and families.

In her evenings, Katie is an adjunct professor at the University of Houston – Downtown teaching graduate courses focused on Nonprofit Management. Katie’s self-care involves a lot of yoga, trivia and crossword puzzles, and being outdoors with her husband Bryce, daughter Nell, and two dogs.

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