Editor’s Note: McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care are profiling the McKnight’s 2024 Women of Distinction honorees daily from July 1 to Aug. 13. For additional McKnight’s Women of Distinction content, visit this page.
Lesly Martinez was attending her brother’s karate practice when she received an invitation to interview at Atria Senior Living in Louisville, KY. From there, her life was changed forever. She started off as a receptionist and now is regional vice president.
Martinez’s commitment to excellence is evident from the numerous awards she and her team have received. While she served as life guidance director, assistant executive director and executive director at Atria Westchase in Houston, the community earned four consecutive Quality Enhancement Awards, scoring higher than 90% every year on operational audits. In addition, beginning in 2023 and continuing in 2024, Martinez is overseeing million-dollar renovation projects at each of 12 Holiday by Atria communities in Texas.
“Being authentically you is key. You might admire another leader for how they act, but at the same time, you do not have to imitate them. Integrity and showing up authentically are big,” Martinez said. “I often hear, ‘Yes, I want that role, but I’m just a housekeeper,’ or, ‘I want to be a general manager one day, but I do not know how to get there.’ That is the best part of my job – helping other people reach their career goals. When someone has the energy and eagerness, they have the tools. I hold them accountable, introduce mentors and pair the right training.”
More about Martinez:
- Martinez’s personal inspiration comes from her parents and sister. Her mom emigrated from El Salvador to the United States. She now is a citizen and, along with Martinez’s father, owns an insurance business.
- At Holiday Parkview in Allen, TX, where Martinez has overseen operations since January 2022, the team is celebrating a fourth consecutive Caring Star award based on reviews.
- After eight months as a receptionist, Martinez was promoted to Engage Life director in 2012. She then was promoted to assistant executive director and then executive director, a position in which she served until 2018.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care. Healthcare Services Group was the Platinum sponsor of this year’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction Awards and Forum. PointClickCare was the Gold sponsor, and PharMerica was the Silver sponsor. Other sponsors included Curana Health, DirecTV for Business, Easyshifts, Hireology, Reliant Rehabilitation, ShiftKey and Sentrics.
Visit this web page to see lists of honorees from 2024 and previous years.
