Lanese Martin

The Hood Incubator sits on a front line of social justice and business: legal marijuana. They scour Oakland’s nascent industry for promising owners and great ideas. The team behind the Hood Incubator is incredibly young, and their good idea is likely on to something big: Oakland’s municipal government has called for a share of local marijuana dispensary licenses to go to entrepreneurs who once served time for pot.

Lanese guides the Hood Incubator’s political strategy, including base-building, community organizing, and policy advocacy work. Lanese began her professional career consulting small family businesses by systemizing their operations and developing growth strategies for them. While studying for an M.B.A. in Sustainable Enterprise she began to shift her professional focus from consulting to political organizing, focusing on progressive campaigns. Her work as the Field Director for an Oakland based nonprofit led to deep relationships with non-profits & Black & Brown communities not only in Oakland but across California. Additionally, her work as the Field Director for Nancy Skinner’s successful 2016 CA State Senate race led to strong relationships with elected leaders as well as their staff across the Bay Area. Lanese attained a B.A. in Political Science & Minor in Business from Dominican University of California and later returned for a M.B.A..