Martha Castillo is a lifelong advocate for educational equity and community empowerment, whose leadership is grounded in a deep commitment to giving back. As the daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and a proud first-generation college graduate, Martha understands the barriers many students and families face when navigating the education system—and she has dedicated her career to breaking them down.

Her journey of service began just after high school, when she volunteered as a youth mentor for justice-involved youth. She later served as a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), supporting children in the foster care system. These early experiences ignited a passion for community advocacy that continues to shape her leadership today.

Martha launched her career as a special education teacher in The Bronx before returning to Los Angeles as a college readiness counselor, helping students from underserved communities successfully transition from high school to higher education. Throughout her career, she has championed culturally responsive education, first-gen student support, and family engagement as critical levers for equity.

She brings over a decade of experience to her role as Executive Director of Leaders in Training (LIT), including serving as a Learning Success Coach at ASU Prep Digital and as a virtual instructor with the UCLA Extension College Counseling Certificate Program. Her approach is deeply personal—shaped by her own experience navigating community college with an undiagnosed learning disability and persisting through the education system as a Latina, first-generation student.

Martha holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from the University of La Verne, a master’s in Education from The City College of New York, and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Arizona. Her doctoral research explored the power of cultural capital and family motivation in Latina college student persistence.

Now based in Las Vegas, she is deeply committed to uplifting youth in historically underserved communities across the East Side and beyond. As Executive Director, Martha leads LIT with a bold vision to expand college access, deepen community partnerships, and cultivate the next generation of equity-minded leaders. She embodies LIT’s mission to develop leaders who rise up and give back to the communities they come from.

​Communication can be relayed at [email protected]