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Laura Martinez, a Colombian American born and raised in South Florida, is the director of account management for brand partnerships at NGLmitú, a leading Latino-focused media company with a social audience of over 15 million. She leads a national team managing more than 130 social campaigns each year, working across strategy, creative, production, and media to deliver performance-driven, culturally authentic work. As a consultative partner to major brands like Walmart, AT&T, and Disney, Martinez helps translate business goals into campaigns that truly resonate with Latino audiences.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
My greatest career accomplishment is carving out a path for myself in the media industry. I’m the first in my family to pursue this space, and I entered it without a network, a roadmap, or any experience in brand partnerships. I had to figure out how to break in, stand out, and lead, all while learning on the job. In under four years, I’ve gone from the youngest team member to leading the team nationally. And I truly believe this is only the beginning.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
My greatest personal accomplishment is staying true to who I am and finding the fun in everything, especially in the workplace. Life is too short! I’ve always followed my heart, worn it on my sleeve, and pursued what I’m genuinely passionate about, even when it wasn’t the easiest or most conventional path. Choosing authenticity over assimilation has allowed me to grow into the adult version of myself that I’m truly proud of. I can confidently look back knowing I have no regrets, because I’ve stayed grounded in who I am every step of the way.
What do you do today to impact your community?
Outside of my work amplifying Latino voices through media, I stay active in building community within the advertising industry and supporting underrepresented professionals. I serve as the Professional Development Officer for MLT’s South Florida Alumni Group and as Communications Chair for my local AAF chapter. I also recently completed The Creative Ladder’s Rising Leaders Academy, a six-month program focused on helping minority talent grow into leadership roles in marketing and advertising. I do this work because I believe we go farther together, and I want to help make the path easier for those coming next.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’m not someone who maps out every step in advance. Instead, I focus on continuous growth and learning. I love working in brand partnerships and hope to keep evolving in this space, especially in client-facing roles where I can build meaningful relationships and help brands achieve their business goals. I love to win. I’m also deeply curious about where the industry is heading and could see myself exploring roles in the AdTech or Marketing Tech space to stay at the forefront of innovation. That said, I don’t want to put myself in a box. I trust my instincts and believe that as long as I stay curious, passionate, and values-driven, I’ll continue moving in the right direction.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
I want to see more women, especially Latinas, in leadership. Representation at the top has been key to my own growth, and I want to help build a world where that is the norm, not the exception. I am also passionate about pay equity and creating a culture where women feel empowered to speak up, celebrate their wins, and advocate for themselves. Just as importantly, I believe in women supporting each other. There is no room for competition rooted in scarcity. We rise higher when we lift each other up.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
One of the most meaningful moments in my career has been watching the short films from the Walmart x mitú Filmmaker Mentorship Program premiere on screen at film festivals. Through this partnership, we have supported eight emerging Latino filmmakers by giving them the funding, mentorship, and resources to script, produce, and shoot their own short films. Seeing their families and loved ones in the audience, emotional, proud, and deeply moved, was unforgettable. It reminded me that this work is not just about campaigns or “KPI”, it is about telling stories that matter and empowering our community to succeed.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
Probably that being in bed by 10pm is a game changer. I used to be a proud night owl who thought sleep was optional. Now I thrive on early mornings, a workout, and starting the day with coffee and a clear head. I’m officially a viejita (and proud).
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
Oof … easiest question ever. For us Colombians (and my family in particular), we take our coffee very seriously, so it’s no surprise that my favorite sacred cultural tradition is the after-lunch cafecito, or the cafecito you have cuando estás haciendo la visita, when the conversation really gets good (IYKYK). There’s truly nothing like it.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“Hasta la raíz” by Natalia Lafourcade.
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Connect with Laura Martinez on LinkedIn.
