Meet Marta Leira: Englert Community Engagement Coordinator
Posted on February 20, 2026 by Cat Dooley
IOWA CITY, IA February 21, 2026 – The Englert welcomes Marta Leira as new Community Engagement Coordinator. After participating in our arts administration internship this past summer, Marta joined our administrative team as a box office associate and quickly became a house manager and took on additional accessibility work creating a more welcoming environment to enjoy art.
Marta grew up in a multicultural and bilingual household (Spanish/American) here in Iowa City. “Our community is unique in so many ways. I am grateful to have been raised in a place that celebrates art and emphasizes community and collaboration” – Marta Leira, Community Engagement Coordinator. Marta spent her time growing up here taking advantage of the wealth of community-based learning opportunities offered from printmaking workshops to religious studies courses!
Marta has always been passionate about the intersection between STEM and the arts. She graduated from the University of Iowa in 2025 with a B.S. in psychology and a minor in gender, health, and healthcare equity and saw the way art fortifies communities as its own form of medicine. For fun, Marta loves being outside and reading. Notably combining these two interests on the Northside patio when it’s warm! She also is interested in learning languages and is currently working on Portuguese fluency.
“Marta is a true ray of sunshine. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her on both a professional and personal level over the past few months. She continues to wow me from exciting recipes or the best snack recommendations at the co-op and of course her genuine care and kindess towards our community! Her energy is contagious and I have already learned so much and continue to be inspired by her eagerness to learn and grow our organization. ” – Cat Dooley, Senior Marketing Manager.
You may recognize Marta from being a helpful face or voice in our box office and at events. Since she joined our administrative team this fall, she has excelled. Marta’s natural instinct to go above and beyond for our community, staff, and artists to feel safe and informed is why she felt like the natural choice to take on our community engagement efforts.
“I am beyond excited for Marta to take over the Community Engagement world!! I can’t think of a better human to take on this work. It has been a joy to watch her grow in her time at The Englert since first meeting her as one of our Arts Admin Interns to now taking on a full-time role. She’s been graciously helping me out with community engagements since last September and I can’t wait to see all of the wonderful work she will accomplish in this position. I’m so proud!” – Whit Martinez, former Community Engagement Coordinator
Our team is truly lucky to have Marta’s perspective in the room at a full-time capacity. She has an effortless way of creating a welcoming space for everyone that comes into the building, her eagerness to connect with those around her brings us all closer and her impact has already been so strong. We are excited to see what creativity she will bring to this role and trust that she will continue to harbor safe, welcoming, and fun experiences for our community.
“I am looking forward to continuing collaborations and increasing accessibility in our space. The Englert is located – both literally and metaphorically – in the heart of it all. Like so many others, I have laughed here, cried here, and learned here. I am beyond excited for the opportunity to continue to grow here and give back to a community that has given me so much” – Marta Leira, Community Engagement Coordinator
