Roxana Martinez

Honestly, I think it comes down to the people I’ve chosen to surround myself with. I’ve always been intentional about having strong mentors, not just inside my company, but outside of it too. And sometimes the most valuable ones come from completely unexpected places. One of my most important mentors isn’t in construction at all, they come from business development in a totally different field, and that outside perspective has been invaluable. I’ve built a network of people who challenge me, push me, and believe in me, both within the industry and beyond it.

The other part is just not giving up. There have been tough moments, for sure. But I’ve always believed that if you stay determined and keep doing the work, things move forward. For me it’s really been that combination, the right people around you and the perseverance to keep going.

That success is built on hard work, discipline, integrity, and accountability; no matter what. I learned that from my parents first. They showed me that consistency and responsibility matter just as much as talent, maybe even more. That stayed with me.

Later on, Christophe, one of our leaders, added another layer to that. Seeing how he leads, with patience, approachability, and a genuine investment in the people around him, made me realize that the best leaders aren’t just competent, they’re trusted. That’s the kind of leader I want to be.

Just do it. Don’t overthink it. I know that sounds simple, but honestly it’s the hardest thing, because we tend to wait until we feel ready, and that moment rarely comes. You’re going to feel nervous, you’re going to feel scared, you’re going to feel like you’re not 100% there yet. Do it anyway. That’s how you grow. That’s how you learn. Experience is the only real way in.

And take ownership of your own development. Seek out the training, put yourself in the rooms where things are happening, invest in yourself before anyone else does. The women I admire most in this industry didn’t wait for permission, they went out and built their credibility, one step at a time.

The gender imbalance in construction is still very real. I’ve walked into industry events where decision-makers are presenting, speakers are commanding the room, and women make up maybe 5% of the audience. It’s not that we’re absent from the industry; it’s that we’re still being asked to prove ourselves over and over again. 

But that’s exactly where the opportunity lies. More women are entering construction and moving into leadership than ever before. The industry is recognizing that diverse teams make better decisions and deliver better projects. And with technology reshaping how we build, new doors are opening every day, doors women are already walking through.

Congruence is number one for me. I really believe in the alignment between what you say and what you do. If you commit to something, you follow through, full stop. That’s how I was raised, and it’s something I hold myself to every single day, whether it’s with my team, my clients, or in my personal life.

The second one is perseverance. I’ve been through moments in my career and my personal life where things were hard, where I questioned myself, where it would have been easier to stop. But I truly believe that the only way through is through. You have to stay determined, keep pushing, and trust that the effort will pay off. Those two values — doing what you say and never giving up — are really the foundation of everything for me.