Nonprofit Consulting Firm - Martz & Associates

Founded by Dr. Mark Martz, the firm is grounded in decades of leadership experience across public health, public policy, academia, and the nonprofit sector. Dr. Martz and the team bring a proven track record of advancing complex initiatives—from statewide public health programs and federal grant implementation to community-based service delivery—always with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainable impact. Guided by a relationship-centered philosophy, Martz & Associates partners closely with clients to deliver tailored solutions in strategic planning, research and evaluation, grant development, public-private partnerships, and quality improvement.

The strength of Martz & Associates lies in its multidisciplinary team and engaged Board of Directors, whose collective expertise spans biostatistics, clinical research, health policy, financial management, and organizational development. With professionals who have led clinical trials, informed public health policy, designed quality improvement systems, and managed complex funding and compliance environments, the organization offers clients both technical excellence and practical, real-world insight. The Board further reinforces this foundation through strong governance, financial stewardship, and strategic guidance. Together, the team and Board are committed to building capacity, fostering innovation, and delivering evidence-informed solutions that create lasting value for clients, partners, and the communities they serve.

Founder & Principal

Mark Martz, PhD, MPA

Mark P. Martz is Founder and Principal, Martz & Associates. Before launching Martz & Associates, Mark served as the Executive Director of Axiom Community of Recovery, a nonprofit organization providing long term recovery services and support to individuals transitioning from a substance use disorder treatment environment back to community. Prior to this role, Mark spent 3.8 years as Director of the Arizona Center for Tobacco Cessation housed in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. From 2013-2018, he served at the Arizona Department of Health Services, providing support to the department in a variety of roles including as a policy consultant, program manager, and as Office Chief for Tobacco Prevention and Cessation. Mark received his Master in Public Administration from Wichita State University in 2007 and doctorate in Public Administration and Policy from Arizona State University in 2013. Dr. Martz’s professional and research interests focus on developing, implementing, and analyzing system-level interventions that improve health and well-being at an individual, community, and population level. When away from work, Mark enjoys spending time with family and friends, volunteering, trail running, open water swimming, competing in triathlons, and meandering through art galleries.

Community Outreach – Public Private Partnerships

Ed Durkin, BS

Ed has 15+ years of strategic partnership, consulting, and business development experience. Ed thrives in forming win-win outside the box strategic partnerships. He has experience with Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, sports & entertainment, and small family owned companies. Ed is a partner at 86 HOPE which is a boutique consulting group specializing in B2B partnerships, strategic consulting, and revenue growth. From the spring of 2020 till September, 2022, Ed served as the Public Private Partnership Consultant for the Arizona Center for Tobacco Cessation. Immediately prior to working with the Center, Ed was with the Phoenix Suns as a member of the Partnership Sales Team. Ed is a 2009 graduate from the University of Arizona Eller College of Management with degrees in Marketing and Business Management. He is also the Vice Chair of the Miracle League of Arizona, a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization in Scottsdale, AZ.

Statistician

Patrick O’Connor, PhD

Pat served as a Senior Research Specialist and Data Manager for the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline for 5 years while attaining his doctorate in biostatistics from the University of Arizona Mel & Enid College of Public Health in 2020. Since graduating he has worked for a contract research organization and has been lead biostatistician on product design studies ranging from oncology to ophthalmology to medical devices.

Health Policy and Public Health

Raju Thiagarajan, MD, MPH

Raju Thiagarajan is a seasoned public health professional with over 15 years of experience across public health policy, med-tech consulting, and academia. Raju holds a BS from Texas A&M University, an MD from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and an MPH from the University of Arizona. Currently an adjunct lecturer at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, Raju has contributed to the development of courses such as Health Systems Delivery as well as a site preceptor for public health students. He also served as a lead medical/public health consultant with Medcase for projects at Google, where he spearheaded initiatives and led a team of physicians in medical content analysis - focusing on COVID-19 and public health and medical misinformation. He was recognized by Medcase with a Global Leadership Award in 2022. Previously, Raju worked with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, where he worked in advancing public health policies, including efforts to address the opioid crisis, health insurance enrollment, community health worker workforce development, and improve health literacy. Additionally, he collaborated on special projects like HPV immunization literacy and worked with Central Arizona College to develop a Community Health Worker Certificate program. Current interests include infodemic management, specifically looking at how digital media contribute to medical and public health misinformation and distrust. Having worked to fostering collaborative partnerships, Raju understands the importance of working with and utilizing both traditional and nontraditional entities and strategies to address public health needs. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, photography, as well as running marathons.

Process and Quality Improvement

Taylor Grogg, MPH

Taylor holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Public Health and brings over 10 years of experience in process improvement and quality improvement. A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Taylor is passionate about helping organizations work smarter and more efficiently.

With a strong background supporting nonprofits, healthcare systems, and higher education institutions, Taylor focuses on practical, people-centered solutions that create lasting impact. Whether leading complex improvement initiatives or fine-tuning everyday workflows, Taylor brings a collaborative approach and a deep understanding of how to drive meaningful change.

Taylor’s work is grounded in a commitment to mission-driven organizations and making a positive difference through streamlined, effective processes.

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Board of Directors

Meet the members of our board.

Mark Martz

Board Chair

Mark P. Martz, PhD, MPA is Board President and Founder of Martz & Associates. Dr. Martz brings over 15 years of extensive leadership experience from roles at the Arizona Department of Health Services, the University of Arizona’s Zuckerman College of Public Health, nonprofit hospitals, and community-based nonprofit organizations. His work portfolio has focused on advancing public health programs, improving system performance, and supporting individuals and communities affected by substance use and other health challenges.

He holds a doctorate in Public Administration & Policy from Arizona State University and a Master of Public Administration from Wichita State University. His professional interests center on developing and evaluating innovative, data-driven solutions that improve population health outcomes and strengthen community systems.

Christina Panaitescu

Secretary

Christina Panaitescu, GPC, is a credentialed grant professional with more than two decades of experience strengthening communities, advancing nonprofit capacity, and guiding organizations through strategic, data driven decision making. As the Community Partnerships Program Manager for the City of Goodyear, Christina brings a strong governance perspective through her expertise in policy guidance, grant administration, compliance oversight, and long range planning. Her work reflects Martz & Associates’ commitment to building capacity, strengthening systems, and improving community well being through partnership based, evidence informed support.

Jackie K. Assini

Treasurer

Jackie K. Assini brings over 25 years of experience in accounting and financial management, with a focus on supporting organizations in achieving sustainable, mission-driven impact. She holds an accounting degree from the University of Arizona and is recognized for her strong foundation in compliance, financial analysis, and strategic planning.

Jackie began her career as a Financial Analyst at the University of Arizona and Stanford University, managing complex government grants and contracts across federal, private, and nonprofit sectors. Her work emphasized regulatory compliance, accurate reporting, and aligning financial management with program success. In August 2025, she founded Straight 2 Bookkeeping, where she provides bookkeeping, financial analysis, and budget planning services to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses.

As Treasurer, Jackie is committed to strong financial stewardship, transparency, and ensuring resources are effectively aligned to support long-term organizational health and wellbeing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Martz & Associates

Martz & Associates is a Phoenix-based 501(c)(3) public health and nonprofit consulting firm founded in 2021. The firm partners with government agencies, healthcare organizations, academic institutions, and community-based nonprofits to strengthen systems and improve community health outcomes through evidence-informed strategies.

The mission of Martz & Associates is to improve health and wellbeing by building knowledge, capacity, and resources that lead to sustainable, measurable impact. The firm emphasizes a relationship-centered approach, combining technical rigor with close collaboration and continuous stakeholder engagement.

The firm delivers a comprehensive suite of consulting services, including:

Strategic planning and technical assistance
Grant strategy, writing, and lifecycle management
Project management and implementation support
Research, evaluation, and data analysis
Quality improvement and process optimization
Public-private partnership development

These services are designed to support both immediate outcomes and long-term organizational capacity.

Martz & Associates has deep expertise in:

Substance use prevention/recovery; Opioid abatement
Rural health initiatives
Community health needs assessments (CHNAs) and improvement plans
Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement
Health equity and systems-level policy change
Technology driven solutions

The firm is particularly committed to supporting rural and underserved communities.

The firm is led by Founder and Principal Dr. Mark P. Martz, PhD, MPA, an experienced public health leader with:

Doctorate in Public Administration & Policy (ASU)
Former Office Chief at Arizona Department of Health Services
Former Director of the Arizona Center for Tobacco Cessation
Executive Director of a nonprofit recovery organization

He has overseen multimillion-dollar public health programs and large-scale statewide initiatives.

Martz & Associates leverages a multidisciplinary team with expertise in:

Biostatistics and advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis
Public-private partnerships and revenue growth
Medical and public health consulting
Lean Six Sigma quality improvement

Team members collectively bring decades of experience across government, academia, healthcare, Private, and nonprofit sectors.

Key differentiators include:

Deep public health and policy expertise combined with real-world implementation experience
Strong track record across government, nonprofit, and academic sectors
Commitment to measurable impact and client capacity building
Specialized focus on complex issues like opioid prevention and health system transformation
Relationship-driven approach grounded in trust and collaboration

Organizations choose Martz & Associates because the firm:

Delivers high-quality, evidence-informed solutions
Builds internal capacity that lasts beyond the project
Helps clients secure funding, improve performance, and expand impact
Brings trusted leadership and proven results across complex public health and nonprofit challenges

Ultimately, Martz & Associates serves as a strategic partner committed to long-term success and community impact.

About Us

Mark Martz, PhD, MPA

Ed Durkin, BS

Patrick O’Connor, PhD

Raju Thiagarajan, MD, MPH

Taylor Grogg, MPH

Board of Directors

Mark Martz

Christina Panaitescu

Jackie K. Assini

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Martz & Associates

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What is Martz & Associates mission and core approach?

What core services does Martz & Associates provide?

What areas of specialization does Martz & Associates focus on?

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What experience does the broader team bring?

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