Stories
From saxophone to software engineering, Ivan Martinez Morales carries Rosie’s House with him every step of the way.
A native Phoenician and proud Rosie’s House alumnus, Ivan studied saxophone from 2009–2012 under Marvin Scott and Michael Hernandez. As a member of the Rosie’s House Saxophone Quartet and the Phoenix Youth Symphony, music became a foundation for personal growth, discipline, and teamwork.
“Rosie’s House taught me leadership, collaboration, and perseverance,” Ivan shares. “Those lessons carried me through the Navy and have shaped every success I’ve had since.”
— Ivan Martinez Morales
After graduating from Central High School, Ivan enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard submarines. He later became the first in his family to graduate college, earning a Computer Science degree from ASU as a NASA Space Grant Scholar.
Now a Software Engineer at Plaid and founder of Papago Software, Ivan continues to give back as Vice President of the Rosie’s House Board of Directors—bringing his leadership full circle.