Alyssa Martinez

CHCI Environment Postgraduate Fellow  

Presented by Breakthrough Energy  

Hometown: Whittier, California  

School: University of Southern California Sol Price School of Public Policy  

Degree: Master of Public Administration  

Placement: The Office of Representative Robert Garcia

Alyssa (she/her) grew up in southeast Los Angeles, California, splitting her time between Maywood and Whittier. Her early years were marked by her father’s eight-year tenure on the Maywood City Council, where she learned the profound impact of civic engagement and community leadership. Living in areas burdened by freeways and industrial pollution, Alyssa’s passion for policy and positive change was ignited, fueled by the environmental and health injustices faced by her communities.  

Alyssa pursued higher education at the University of Southern California, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Public Policy and a Master of Public Administration. During her undergraduate studies, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris, France, for a year. There, she experienced firsthand how accessibility to public transportation, parks, and third spaces can significantly improve communities’ mental and physical health. Alyssa was also selected as a Comcast Fellow through the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP), gaining valuable insights into policy evaluation and legislative processes. As a Comcast fellow, Alyssa evaluated state bills during committee considerations, reviewed proposed bill amendments, and participated in mock congressional hearings. She demonstrated her leadership by drafting and presenting a comprehensive mock bill on expanding broadband internet access in California, providing a nuanced contextualization of the issue, and detailing the social and fiscal impacts of legislation.  

Throughout her time at USC, Alyssa also served as both Co-chair and Professional Development Chair for the USC Price Latinx Student Association. In these roles, she engaged alumni and executed professional development events, fostering a supportive network for Latinx students. In her professional career, Alyssa worked with Lee Andrews Group, a public relations firm, focusing on stakeholder engagement and strategic messaging for the SoCalgas Angeles Link project–what could be the nation’s largest clean, renewable hydrogen energy pipeline system that could deliver energy to the Los Angeles region. She managed a community-based organization stakeholder group, ensuring that disadvantaged and environmental justice communities had a voice in the project.  

As a CHCI Clean Energy Postgraduate Fellow, Alyssa looks forward to deepening her understanding of clean energy and environmental policy. She aims to contribute to clean energy advancements while empowering communities to actively participate in decision-making processes. Alyssa’s dedication to ensuring a legacy of environmental justice and community empowerment is evident in her commitment to creating a sustainable and equitable future for all.