Yvette Martinez

I attribute my success to refusing to let my past define my future. I've been through a lot - I've been to prison and faced real life obstacles - but I refused to let that stop me. Everything I've achieved has come from determination, discipline, and willingness to learn. I built my career from the ground up, teaching myself as I went along because I'm a fast learner. My three daughters are my biggest motivation. I want them to see that no matter what circumstances you're under, no matter where you come from, you can rise, build, and create a better life through hard work. When COVID hit and everyone quit, putting the company in a position where they could be closed because no one wanted to work, I stepped in. I was a new hire and everyone just quit one day, but I stayed and taught myself to be an operational manager. Even when my nine-month-old daughter was intubated for two months, I worked from inside the hospital and self-taught myself the role right there in the hospital room. I've proven to myself and to people around me that growth is always possible, no matter where you come from.

The best career advice I've received has come through the actions and mentorship of my two bosses, Phil Maselli and Mark Pontarelli. When I interviewed for my position at MOK with Phil, I had zero experience and a background of being in prison. I told him, 'Hey, I really don't have too much to offer besides I am a hard worker and I'm willing to learn. I will be here every day, I will show up.' He gave me a chance and believed in me. He was very tough on me, always pushing me to improve. He would say, 'Get on top of your emails, you have to word that better, you have to speak better. Put the comma, put the period.' He had all the right intentions on helping me grow and become a better person. What inspires me most is that he's battling cancer and they told him he's going to die in a couple months, but he still shows up to work from the comfort of his bed, running a big operation throughout the United States. That's inspirational. My previous boss Mark Pontarelli at American Carrier Transport also believed in me. When everyone walked out in September after I was hired in July, I stayed with the company. When my nine-month-old daughter was intubated for two months, he allowed me to work inside the hospital. He gave me all the resources I needed and just believed in me. He was tough too and kept me sharp. He would push me to step out of my comfort zone, telling me I have to speak better and putting me up to real tough challenges. He believed in me when opening the terminal in Houston, Texas, took the chance, and our terminal in Houston is very successful to this day. Both of them taught me that with the right support, belief, and willingness to push yourself, you can achieve things you never thought possible.

I would tell young women not to be intimidated by the fact that this is a male-dominated industry. We are just as capable as men. Don't be afraid to speak up and be confident and professional. Learn as much as you can and stay consistent. Build respect through your actions with your coworkers and customers. Your work will speak for itself. Don't let the male-dominated nature of the field hold you back - just show up, do the work, and prove yourself through your actions.

That will be jumping in to add more detail regarding her incredibly inspirational story through overcoming adversity and jumping back into the career she is now striving, motherhood and her wonderful children, her interests and hobbies outside of work, how she would like to connect with other women within our community, how she would like to inspire others by sharing her story especially with young women, details regarding the supervisors who have impacted her life and given her the step up within the career realm and any other details you would like to share with our readers.

The values most important to me are integrity, accountability, and respect. I believe in doing what I say I'm going to do and taking responsibility for my work and my mistakes. I treat people with professionalism and respect. These values guide how I lead my team and how I live my life every day. I'm also showing my kids these same values - teaching them to take accountability and show respect to others, even if they are being mean or however things are going. I always stand on those three things: integrity, accountability, and respect. Family is also incredibly important to me. I'm a single mother of three daughters, and they come first. Everything I do is focused on giving them the best life possible and showing them that you can overcome any obstacle.