Rising Tide Capital, which has become a highly regarded and nationally recognized
community development organization through its Jersey City headquarters and the
replication of its award-winning national model in 18 cities over the past two decades,
has selected Joynicole Martinez to serve as its next CEO.
The organization, which was co-founded by Alfa Demmellash and Alex Forrester in
2004, is set to begin the next chapter of its mission to empower entrepreneurs to start
and grow successful businesses and build vibrant communities.
Martinez will be tasked with planning the organization’s future growth and expansion
while the co-founders are shifting into roles focused on innovation to seize emerging
opportunities.
As part of this leadership transition, Forrester will take on the role of Chief Impact
Officer, concentrating on growing RTC’s presence in new markets,
while Demmellash will lead the organization’s regenerative leadership lab and cross-
sector initiative, Future Tide Partners.
Martinez’s appointment reflects the organization’s strength and dedication
to the mission. She brings more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership,
organizational strategy, governance alignment, and capacity building.
In her most recent role at Rising Tide Capital, Martinez served as President and Chief
Advancement and Innovation Officer. Martinez has played a key role in strengthening
the organization’s advancement strategy, deepening partnerships, improving
operational alignment, and positioning the organization for continued growth.
To date, Rising Tide Capital has supported more than 11,000 entrepreneurs across
fifteen states. Businesses run by program graduates have an 87 percent five-year
survival rate, well above national averages, and participating entrepreneurs see an
average 63 percent increase in household income over time.
Board of Trustees Chair Aicha Balla described the appointment as a clear sign of strong
leadership and enduring strength for the organization.
“Rising Tide Capital exists to change lives, and Dr. Martinez has spent years
demonstrating that she understands exactly what that responsibility requires,” Balla
said. “Her appointment signals that Rising Tide Capital is built to endure and to thrive
beyond any one leader.”
For Demmellash, the transition marks the achievement of a long-term goal.
“Building Rising Tide Capital has been the work of my life,” she said. “Watching
it grow into an institution capable of maintaining its mission through generations of
leadership is exactly what Alex and I aimed to accomplish. Dr. Joynicole is prepared to
lead this next chapter, and the organization is ready.”
In the coming months, Demmellash will focus her full attention on Future Tide Partners,
concentrating on shifting capital, policy, and culture toward a more inclusive and thriving
economy.
Building on this shared vision for the future, Martinez said, “I am honored to lead this
organization and its community of incredible team members, donors, and partners. My
deep respect and admiration for Rising Tide Capital and its mission come from personal
experience and passion. As we move forward, our commitment to this work grows
stronger and bolder every day. We will succeed as a community, and it is an honor to
be part of it.”
Under Martinez’s leadership, Rising Tide Capital will expand access to entrepreneurial
education and funding opportunities, strengthen its expanding national network, and
seek partnerships that accelerate inclusive economic growth. This transition signifies a
defining moment designed for scale as the organization advances toward its next stage
of impact and welcomes partners, investors and champions to help realize that vision.
