Alma Karina Martinez Leads El Monte with Vision and Resilience

Alma Karina Martinez’s journey to becoming the city manager of El Monte, California—her role for nearly six years—reflects her exceptional resilience and drive. As the first Latina to manage a large city, her path from arriving in the country at fourteen to this prestigious position epitomizes the American dream, especially given her start in a cramped, one-car garage without basic amenities.

Martinez’s early years, spent helping her mother clean houses, sowed the seeds of her dedication to education and her tireless advocacy for working-class communities—a devotion that would become the hallmark of her career. This dedication shone brightly as she pursued higher education, earning her master’s in urban planning from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a focus on housing and communities of color.

Martinez’s tenure as El Monte’s city manager is marked by her tenacity in the face of obstacles. She has not only acknowledged the hardships but has transformed them into milestones, reassuring investors of the city’s vitality. Post-pandemic, her unwavering commitment to economic growth and community enrichment stands out as her legacy.

“Together, my staff and I, with the support from the city council, have fostered economic development in our city,” Martinez says. “Through our efforts, we have ensured that economic development initiatives are approached with a community-first mindset, prioritizing the needs of residents and local businesses above all else.” 

Her career has taken her to various municipal and private sector roles across Southern California including Los Angeles and Compton, which enriches her expertise in development and community engagement. This broad experience has been pivotal to El Monte’s revitalization efforts, ensuring they resonate with the needs and aspirations of its residents and align with the city council’s vision for progress.

A crowning achievement for Martinez was enticing major businesses to set roots in El Monte, heralding a new era of opportunity and services. The City of El Monte is expected to welcome Target and Chick-fil-A this year, followed by In-N-Out, Raising Cane’s, and Starbucks. Her leadership provided clarity through chaotic times, such as the pandemic, where her strategic implementation of council-approved programs underscored her commitment to the city’s wellbeing. 

“Every day, I am driven to make a positive impact on our community,” Martinez says. “My motivation stems from the belief that we can always do better and that every step we take toward progress, no matter how small, is significant. As a city manager, it is the people of El Monte who inspire me to support their needs and ensure that everyone can thrive.” 

It is no surprise that Martinez’s invaluable experience has been vital to the city, and her tenure has made her an anomaly within city management as it is rare for city managers to stay in the role for over two years. This speaks volume about Martinez’s impact and the stability that the El Monte city council has developed.

Peering into the future, Martinez aspires to clear the path for the next generation of women leaders, particularly Latinas and women of color, in city management. She champions mentorship, lifelong learning, and the creation of a robust support network as critical for success.

“I believe in the power of guidance and knowledge sharing, which is why I want to establish a mentorship program for people of color aspiring to become city managers,” Martinez says. “This would not only benefit the participants, but would also positively impact on the community, by ensuring that a diverse range of voices and perspectives are represented in local government.”

Martinez’s narrative is not just her own—it’s a beacon for tenacity, showing that dedication and unwavering commitment can surmount even the steepest of challenges. Her ascent from humble beginnings to the leadership of El Monte is a profound source of inspiration for all striving to make a meaningful impact in their communities.