Profile

Javier Gutierrez is a public health professional and a community organizer with a commitment and passion for building relationships and promoting equity. Javier began his career in community organizing working in Michigan and California on issues and projects related to health Care workers, environmental issues, and electoral campaigns before returning to Massachusetts to work in public health at the city and state level.   

Javier’s public health career includes significant roles at the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health where he focused on addressing racial equity and designing engagement strategies at all levels. He gained insight on the importance of addressing multiple systems such as public health, housing, and transportation in order to reduce racial inequities. In 2019, he transitioned to Madison Park Development Corporation as the Director of Health Equity and Resident Engagement, focusing on social determinants of health. In this role he developed his commitment and understanding that centering  community engagement is central to tackling public, health, and development challenges.  He elaborates, “I truly believe that relationships begin at the community level. How you engage, build trust, and collaborate with people is the same whether you're working on community development, public health, or environmental issues.”  

In September 2023, Javier joined the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) as the Director of Community Engagement where he oversees MAPC’s efforts to ensure that community residents and stakeholders have a voice in the future of Greater Boston. Javier develops the vision and infrastructure that enables equitable community engagement within MAPC’s projects, building long-term relationships and capacity with MAPC staff, municipal staff, local stakeholders, and residents. He emphasizes the importance of integrating community engagement into daily life and laying the foundation for long term impact, even when results may not immediate.    

Later this month, Javier and his colleagues will lead a Community Engagement and Planning Workshop to introduce participants to current community engagement and planning principles and practices. In April, Javier and his colleagues will lead Sustainable Strategies for Language Access, a two-part interactive workshop in which participants will discuss bridging language access and meaningful multilingual participation. 

When he’s not at work, Javier enjoys running, drinking coffee, listening to Maná, and working on his personal project, Barbers for Health, an innovative community project that empowers barbers to participate in community health improvement.