Meet Martha Karavitis-Hemmati - the 14th District 2025 Unsung Heroine!

Martha Karavitis-Hemmati is a higher education leader and workforce development strategist with more than 20 years of experience advancing equitable, career-aligned pathways in business and technology.

Her expertise includes advanced information technology, employer engagement, curriculum innovation, and digital equity, with a focus on removing barriers and expanding opportunity for diverse learners. She currently leads a four-year U.S. Department of Labor Strengthening Community Colleges grant developing accelerated programs in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing to align education with high-growth industries.

Karavitis-Hemmati has managed major federal and state initiatives and built partnerships that connect students directly to quality careers. Beyond campus, she advances digital inclusion through community collaboration, including a Digital Equity event that served more than 400 participants and distributed refurbished laptops to low-income families.

As co-chair of the Cook County Digital Equity Action Committee, she works to close gaps in access to technology, connectivity, and digital skills. She holds degrees from DePaul University and Keller Graduate School of Management.