Michael Martinez - SVL Cultura Ambassador

March 29, 2022

Michael Martinez is a 30-year industry veteran of Silicon Valley and an accomplished communications executive highly regarded for 25+ years of experience in global and enterprise-wide communications. Recognized as an authentic, trusted advisor and culturally competent leader, Michael is a natural relationship builder and cross-functional collaborator who has led global business and technical communications initiatives for leading technology companies. An engineer by education, his combined technical and business acumen has led to unique and creative transformation communications outcomes.

Most recently at Microsoft where he served as Director of Communications, Michael served as Head of Global Communications Strategy for Roche Biotechnology where he led communications efforts for the company’s Digital Transformation and SaaS Business Group. Prior experience also includes senior communications roles at Hitachi Vantara and Cisco Systems where he drove CxO communications for the Digital Transformation, IoT and Cybersecurity Organizations. His domain expertise includes Digital Innovation, SaaS, Cloud and Smart Technologies and Semiconductor Capex among other key areas.

The son of migrant working parents who emigrated to the U.S. from Oaxaca and Nuevo Leon Mexico in the early 1950’s with a vision of achieving the American Dream and educating their children, Michael is extremely passionate of his Mexican cultural roots and the values he was raised with especially in regards to education and in giving back to his Latino community. Whether it be child advocacy in education, STEM education, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion or volunteering his time as advisor and mentor to both the STEM and Robotics Club at San Benito High School in Hollister, California. Michael makes every effort to ensure the Latinos are well represented. He currently serves as a member and creative director to the Chairman of the non-profit HITEC (Hispanic IT Executive Council) where he has supported numerous projects.

“Having grown up in a migrant family working the agricultural fields of San Benito County, I came to learn what coming from humble beginnings meant. My parents spoke of opportunity and the route to get there. They were visionaries themselves even without an education. Those lessons I learned at the dinner table gave me the confidence to set high expectations for myself. So today, it is all about helping young Latino’s strive for a similar future.”

Michael is a graduate of the University of Redlands where he majored in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. He completed additional executive education in mergers and acquisitions at The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.