Marc Eichenbaum

2000 Scholar

A Better You: Facing Burnout and Mental Health Head On

Marc Eichenbaum serves as the Special Assistant to the Mayor for Homeless Initiatives. Marc is a licensed attorney who specializes in public policy, strategic communications, and governmental affairs, leading programs to drive social impact.

First appointed by Houston Mayor Annise Parker, and subsequently by Mayor Sylvester Turner, Marc manages the City’s involvement in The Way Home, Houston’s globally recognized homeless housing initiative. Since 2012, The Way Home housed more than 30,000 individuals experiencing homelessness, effectively ending veteran homelessness, and reducing overall homelessness by over 60%. Marc created the city’s innovative Public Intoxication Team, is at the forefront of developing holistic and effective strategies to reduce encampments, and handles a variety of behavioral health issues for the Mayor. Named by Bloomberg Cities as one of “10 Innovators Who are Raising the Bar in the Fight Against COVID-19,” Marc has advised more than 70 cities, from Orlando, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Denver, to London, England; Perth, Australia; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on how to create collective-impact, transformative systems to reduce homelessness.

Previously, Marc oversaw external affairs for the City’s Housing and Community Development Department. In addition to successfully advocating for the passage of over 200 pieces of local legislation, Marc worked on a variety of transformational community revitalization and economic development initiatives, creating thousands of jobs and affordable homes.

Marc currently serves on the Leadership Council for the National Alliance for Ending Homelessness. He has served on the boards and leadership committees for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Holocaust Museum Houston, Alley Theatre, Discovery Green, and the Jewish Federation of Houston. From the Texas Senate to the Houston Grand Opera, Marc has received numerous awards and honors, frequently speaks at events across the country, and has been featured in The New York Times, CNN, and NPR. He is a Leadership Houston Fellow and is a member of The University of Texas Friars Society.