Adriana Martinez
Adriana Martinez is a Regional Quality Manager at Ecolab with more than 20 years of experience leading quality and validation initiatives across highly regulated manufacturing environments. She brings deep expertise in product quality, reliability, and compliance, with a career spanning automotive, medical devices, wipes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, APIs, and OTC products. Known for her disciplined, systems-focused approach, Adriana has built and maintained robust quality programs across new product development, supplier quality, validation, sterilization, calibration, microbiology, and regulatory compliance.
Throughout her career, Adriana has consistently delivered results in complex, global organizations. She has held progressive leadership roles at Ecolab, BD, Kimberly-Clark, Tecumseh Products, and Alcoa Fujikura, where she led quality system implementations, process validation programs, internal and external audits, and large-scale remediation efforts. Her work has included establishing ISO and FDA-compliant quality systems, leading cross-functional initiatives, improving supplier performance, and resolving post-release quality issues to enhance product safety, reliability, and customer trust.
A respected people leader and mentor, Adriana is deeply committed to developing talent and fostering a strong quality culture aligned with business objectives. She is recognized for her ability to coach teams, drive continuous improvement, and align individual growth with organizational needs. Adriana holds a master’s degree in Productivity and a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, and she is fluent in English and Spanish.
• Universidad Autonoma del Noroeste
• Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to building a strong foundation in quality and validation through hands-on leadership and global collaboration. Working within Ecolab’s Global Technical Organization, I’ve had the opportunity to help standardize validation policies and procedures across regions and businesses, strengthening consistency and compliance at scale. Combined with over 20 years of experience across highly regulated manufacturing industries, a strong work ethic, and a belief that teams do their best work when they work hard and enjoy what they do, these experiences have shaped my growth as a quality leader.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came from my manager, Nicola, whose leadership style has had a lasting impact on me. She leads with trust, compassion, and a strong sense of humanity, empowering her teams to make decisions and take ownership of their work. That encouragement—to lead with confidence, integrity, and respect for others—has been both motivating and uplifting throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to truly listen to feedback and use it as a tool for growth. Apply what you learn to your own career, stay curious, and commit to continuous learning so you can evolve professionally and become the best version of yourself.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are giving back, family, and service to others. I place a high priority on charity and community involvement, spending meaningful time with my family, and showing care through acts of service. At home, one of my greatest joys is cooking for my children, which reflects my belief in nurturing strong connections both personally and professionally.