Christine Martinez de Castro Of CMC Group On How We Can Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management
An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
You can never be too educated. Young women should always think big and learn more; go beyond the boundaries of what is previously perceived as possible.
Despite strides towards equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership and management roles across various sectors. In this series, we would like to discuss the barriers to female advancement in these areas and explore actionable strategies for change. We are talking with accomplished women leaders, executives, and pioneers who have navigated these challenges successfully, to hear their experiences, tactics, and advice to inspire and guide the next generation of women toward achieving their full potential in leadership and management roles. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Christine Martinez.
Christine Martinez de Castro brings more than 25 years of sales, public relations, and marketing experience to her current position as Vice President of Sales & Marketing of CMC Group, a fully integrated real estate development company led by leading Miami real estate developer Ugo Colombo.
She began her career at Ketchum Public Relations, where she managed several key international accounts before joining Delta Air Lines’ Corporate Communications management team. Following the events of September 11, she was chosen to lead the cross-organizational communications efforts establishing the internal and external communications strategy. In 2010, with the real estate market’s return, Christine ventured into development sales and joined Fortune International Group as part of the sales team, successfully selling out Artech, Wind, Icon Brickell and Midtown.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Throughout my career, I have worked with various Fortune 500 companies, such as Delta Air Lines and Coca Cola, and have established an understanding of the corporate world, different demographics and markets, and the lives of executives, which has helped me in my current role at CMC Group.
My background has always been in public relations and marketing. After obtaining my real estate license and working in development sales, selling several buildings in Miami, I went back to marketing and started working closely with several developers to promote their buildings. I was able to closely learn their method behind creating the beautiful condos that adorn Miami’s skyline.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your career?
I was about 26 years old when I was working at Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta. I was the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications for Latin America and the CEO flew me to Mexico overnight because the airline was looking to buy Aeromexico and I needed to organize the media strategy, craft key messages and draft the press statements.
I was in the hotel room prepping the CEO, Leo Mullin, with talking points for his interviews and the only other person present was our President/COO Fred Reid, the founding CEO of Virgin America. I had worked closely with both of them before on other issues related to the region. A reporter walks into the suite, and he immediately assumed I was Leo Mullin’s wife, and called me Mrs. Mullin. It never crossed his mind I was part of the management team and I felt so discredited, but both Leo and Fred came to my defense and ultimately, the reporter felt awkward. It taught me at a young age that you can’t control what people will assume, but your reputation and hard work will always carry weight.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly influenced your path to leadership?
I think having a deep understanding of how to market and relate a development to the public has been instrumental to where I am now, career-wise. Working closely with developers has given me an understanding of how their minds work, further honing my skills to sell their product.
At CMC, we are a tight-knit family where many employees have worked together for more than 30 years. This, and being led by Ugo, has been instrumental in the firm’s staying power and my growth at the firm.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
My Mom. I know it sounds cliché but my mom, who is one of the smartest people I know, is my greatest role model. She married my dad when she was 19 and only has a high school education. She was a stay-at-home mom and then, in an effort to help her mom, took a huge risk and started a business simply so my grandmother, who was in her 60’s, would have an income and employment. My mother is smart, but she was completely inexperienced, and although she encountered many obstacles along the way, she made it through and today she is a successful businesswoman and highly respected. I have had the pleasure of watching my mom grow and transform. And now not only is she successful but she is the perfect example of a female leader. Her employees love her. She leans into her feminine power and isn’t afraid to be tough but also kind. As a result, her employees look after her and sing her praises. She is the most inspiring person I know and the biggest compliment I can receive is being told I am just like my mom.
Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
Matthew McConaughey’s book, ‘Greenlights,’ opened my eyes to how you can turn a negative situation into a positive one. Opportunities exist beyond a negative circumstance, and you can also change your perspective on how you view your current situation.
Do you have a favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Do you have a story about how that was relevant in your life or your work?
“If you don’t ask, the answer will always be no.” This quote resonates with women in general, especially when discussing their salaries and career opportunities. If you don’t take the initiative and ask, the absence of trying will have a negative result regardless.
How have you used your success to make the world a better place?
I believe making the world a better place starts at home. I’ve raised three girls who are currently young professionals, just starting their careers. I’ve instilled in them three key pillars — have a good work ethic, do not be entitled and always be learning. They are outstanding examples of good employees and leaders.
In the community, I always try to advocate for other women and girls. I’ve spoken at my daughters’ schools and discuss with their friends the opportunities and possibilities for them to women leaders in the workplace.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. According to this report, only about 31.7% of top executive positions across industries are held by women. This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women. In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women from leadership and management?
There is not one thing in particular that holds women back — it’s more of a mindset issue. For young boys, it’s a matter of “when” they will become leaders. For young girls, it’s a matter of “if” you are presented with the right opportunities to pursue that path. Changing society’s mindset is key. Why would we question ourselves “if” we can be CEOs? The mentality of “when” should be implanted at a young age in all children to eliminate stereotypes and allow for more possibilities.
This might be intuitive to you but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why more women should become leaders and managers?
“Women belong in places where decisions are being made.” This quote by RGB has really impacted me in so many ways — diversity of opinion provides you with different perspectives, leading to more creativity and innovation, ultimately resulting in a conclusion that is beneficial to all.
Can you please share “5 Things We Need To Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership and Management?”
1 . Exposure, from an early age, to show young girls what career options are on the table, such as leadership positions in the worlds of business, finance, real estate, law, etc. Marketing and public relations is a very female-oriented profession. My entry into residential development sales didn’t happen until later in my career. For girls just starting to figure out what they want to do, it’s extremely helpful to know that a role like this is even on the table.
2 . You can never be too educated. Young women should always think big and learn more; go beyond the boundaries of what is previously perceived as possible.
3 . Start developing their business acumen at an early age by having business-focused conversations so they can understand the lingo, know the questions to ask and learn how to identify opportunities.
4 . Teach women leadership qualities as they are growing up. A life and business lesson to always keep in mind is to know that if you do well, it will motivate other people to follow you. Be charismatic, respectful, and always work on developing your personal brand.
5. Look for mentors everywhere and don’t be afraid to learn from them! I am fortunate in that I get to work side by side with my current mentors. Ugo and Art, our CFO, have over 35 strong and successful years in this business and they teach me something new every day. They are inclusive and supportive with everyone on our team and as a result they make us all better. Mentors don’t necessarily have to be women but rather people that take the time guide you into becoming stronger in your role.
In your opinion, what systemic changes are needed to facilitate more equitable access for women to leadership roles?
Women have to envision themselves in leadership roles, just like men do.
What strategies have you found most effective in mentoring and supporting other women to pursue leadership positions?
Always reaching back to pull other women up and be willing to have conversations, whether it be light, serious, motivational, or whatever else, getting the word out there is key. Women continue to be an untapped resource in the C-Suite. Incredibly successful women are still seen as the exception, not the norm, which is why they’re constantly highlighted and stand out. Women in leadership positions need to be the standard.
How would you advise a woman leader about how to navigate the challenges of being a woman in a leadership role within a male-dominated industry?
It’s what I experience every day in my role. Ultimately, it’s about equity, not equality. I don’t want to be a male leader. I have certain values as a woman that are beneficial when dealing with others in the business world. It’s all about authenticity and staying true to who you are. It’s an evolution, not a revolution — there is strength in being a woman, it’s about time we all learn how to leverage it.
How do you balance the demand for authoritative leadership with the stereotypical expectations of female behavior in professional settings?
‘Be true to who you are.’ I believe professionalism is the most important. I’m here to get the job done and my performance will speak for itself.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would love to see professional development programs for young girls. Not only can they be mothers, teachers and caregivers, but also lawyers, developers, financiers — anything they want to be. The key is to create the opportunity for them to be exposed to these roles and conversations, whether it be by attending a conference, taking part in an internship, or participating in an educational program. Representation is also everything. The better female role models there are in the business world, the more young girls will feel like being an executive is a tangible trajectory.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
LinkedIn- Christine Martinez de Castro
Instagram- (CMC.MKT.SALES)
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Christine Martinez de Castro Of CMC Group On How We Can Increase Women’s Engagement in Leadership… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.