Startalk Radio – Presenting Real Good: Season Five

Intro

In this episode of Startalk Radio, host Faith Saley is joined by Joelle Martinez, President and CEO of the Latino Leadership Institute, to discuss the importance of mentorship in leadership and empowering others. They explore their personal journeys to becoming leaders and the challenges faced by women and people of color in leadership positions.

Main Takeaways

Mentorship and Leadership

• Joelle Martinez emphasizes the importance of mentorship in leadership.
• Leaders need to learn how to lead authentically while staying true to themselves.
• Bringing your whole self to work is a challenge for women and people of color in leadership.
• Leadership is defined broadly and opportunities need to be created for everyone.
• Being a first-generation leader is both a blessing and a curse.

Inspiring Role Models

• Joelle Martinez admires Frida Kahlo as a strong female role model.
• Joelle’s grandmother, Ramona Martinez, was the first Latina president of the Denver City Council and inspired Joelle to pursue leadership.
• Ramona Martinez faced discrimination and worked her way up to become a respected leader.
• Joelle’s family has a history of entrepreneurship and social activism.

Imposter Syndrome and Overcoming Challenges

• Joelle Martinez overcame self-doubt and imposter syndrome to step into a position of power.
• Believing in oneself is key to success and leadership.
• Organizations perpetuate imposter syndrome by expecting individuals to assimilate and shed part of their identity to fit in.
• Leadership development programs must be culturally relevant and neuroscience-based to change mindsets and help individuals realize their heritage, culture, and authenticity are assets in the workplace.

Latino Businesses and Economic Growth

• Latinos often lack access to mentors and sponsors, particularly those who are also Latino.
• Access to networks, customers, and subject matter experts are essential for running a business, not just access to capital.
• The Latino Leadership Institute partners with US Bank to provide tools and resources to small Latino entrepreneurs.
• Collaboration with subject matter experts and the governance of a real board of directors is necessary for Latino businesses to prepare for capital investment.
• Helping Latino businesses grow and create jobs is a focus of the access business initiative.

Summary

Mentorship and Leadership

Joelle Martinez highlights the importance of mentorship in leadership, emphasizing the need for leaders to stay true to themselves while leading authentically. Women and people of color often face challenges in bringing their whole selves to work, and it is crucial to create opportunities for everyone in leadership positions. Being a first-generation leader comes with its blessings and curses, as leaders carry a lot of history, legacy, responsibility, and opportunity.

Inspiring Role Models

Joelle Martinez finds inspiration in Frida Kahlo as a strong female role model. She also shares the impactful story of her grandmother, Ramona Martinez, who became the first Latina president of the Denver City Council. Ramona’s courage and dedication inspired Joelle and showed her what success and leadership look like. Joelle’s family has a rich history of entrepreneurship and social activism, which has shaped her own journey as a leader.

Imposter Syndrome and Overcoming Challenges

Joelle Martinez opens up about her experience with imposter syndrome and self-doubt, highlighting the importance of believing in oneself to convince others of their worth. She discusses how organizations perpetuate imposter syndrome by expecting individuals to assimilate and shed part of their identity to fit in. To overcome these challenges, leadership development programs must be culturally relevant and neuroscience-based, helping individuals embrace their heritage, culture, and authenticity as assets in the workplace.

Latino Businesses and Economic Growth

Joelle Martinez addresses the lack of access to mentors and sponsors for Latino entrepreneurs, which hampers their business growth. The Latino Leadership Institute partners with US Bank to provide tools and resources to small Latino businesses, focusing on collaboration with subject matter experts and the establishment of real boards of directors. By helping Latino businesses grow and create jobs, the access business initiative aims to contribute to economic growth and close the opportunity gap.

Conclusion

In this episode, Joelle Martinez and Faith Saley discuss the importance of mentorship in leadership, the challenges faced by women and people of color, and the need for culturally relevant leadership development programs. They highlight inspiring role models and share personal stories of overcoming imposter syndrome and self-doubt. The conversation also delves into the importance of supporting Latino businesses and fostering economic growth. Overall, the episode emphasizes the power of mentorship, authenticity, and diversity in leadership.