Meet the Team: Q&A with Maria Martinez

Meet Maria Martinez, Director of Project Management and Construction at PBC Group (an affiliate of CLV Group). Maria’s 9-year career with us has been shaped by her distinct passion for mentorship, her technical expertise, and a dedication to creating a lasting, positive impact for the communities we operate in.

Dive into the article below to learn more about Maria’s career, her journey in the construction industry, and what she believes sets our company culture apart.??

Tell us about your career path with PBC Group.??

“It’s a long path! I am originally from Uruguay South America, born and raised in Montevideo, where I did my bachelor's and master's degrees. I worked as a Project Administrator/Coordinator while I was a student and then in an architectural firm as a designer and CAD drafter once I got my degree.?I then worked for multiple General Contractors as a Project/Construction Manager on both residential and commercial projects, including the construction of Uruguay’s main airport, Aeropuerto Internacional de Carrasco.??

I moved to Canada in 2014 to study Green Architecture at Algonquin College. Shortly before completing that program, I was hired by PBC as a Project Coordinator. The way things are built in Canada was different than what I was used to - I had to take a step back to take steps forward, but I knew I could prove myself if I got in the door. I was able to move up and become a Project Manager, then Senior Project Manager, and eventually became Director of Project Management and Construction.”???

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction????

“I was actually torn when choosing a discipline to study. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a kid, but when I was maybe one week out from choosing my path, I changed my mind and became an Architect instead.?I liked the drawing, sketching, and designing aspects of it.?

Once I got the opportunity to work on the actual construction site, there was no going back. I saw how designs come to life, how what you imagine becomes a real space. Watching something get built and witnessing the dynamics and challenges of a construction project, every day being different, I knew that was what I wanted to do. I never looked back.”??

What has been the most rewarding part of your career???

“With our company's dedication to not-for-profit work, I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations like the John Howard Society of Ottawa and Shepherds of Good Hope. The work that they do is incredibly impressive. I really admire how they help the community and the people that truly need it.??

The early stage of design with these organizations, where we learn about their unique needs, their services, and how their programs work, is so eye-opening. For us to be able to help them in some way, by creating housing or building the spaces that they need to operate and offer their services, is deeply meaningful.”??

On the other hand, what has been the biggest challenge throughout your career???

“The biggest challenge was moving to Canada and re-learning my entire degree, my entire career, in a different language. Everything I knew was in Spanish. Everything I had studied was in Spanish, so I moved here with the knowledge, the skills, and the technical tools for this industry, but in a completely different language. I am thankful for that year I studied at Algonquin because it gave me that time to find the right words.”??

Do you have advice for other women pursuing a career in this field, or any of the skilled trades???

“I love this question because it wasn’t always an easy path for me in my career. I found it challenging early on because despite having all the same qualifications, I was met with a lot of “NO’s”, simply because I am a woman. That was just the reality of the industry at the time, and I know many women can identify with that. Internally, I knew I was going to prove them wrong.??

So, that would be my advice - pursue what you love to do and just keep going. Know your value. Know your expertise. Know you can do it. We want women in this industry. We want diverse perspectives in this industry. We want the best of the best, and I can see that lived authentically within our team at PBC and CLV.”??

What is your favourite part about working at CLV and PBC???

“Hands down, it has to be the people. I love the culture here and really enjoy coming to work every day, spending time with everyone and mentoring each of my Project Managers. The relationships are so genuine, and it makes the final product even better. We operate as one united team, we want the best for each other and for our clients, and we always play to win.”??

What do you think makes CLV Group and PBC Group unique in our industry???

“The not-for-profit focus of many of our projects makes us who we are. With PBC and CLV collaborating, there is an increase in the scope and size of the projects we can take on. Everything grew considerably, so I love the fact that we now have these additional resources and team members and our company wants to continue investing in the not-for-profit work that we do. We want to keep those services available for those who need them. We’re going to keep helping people, no matter what.”??

Finally, what advice would you give to someone interested in pursuing a career in construction and development???

“Get as much knowledge as you can. Educate yourself in reading drawings, understanding the different disciplines and how they come together, and spend as much time as possible on the construction site.???

The best education in this industry is being there, being hands-on, and seeing the moving pieces come together. That’s the advice I always give my team - show up on site, watch, and ask questions. Communication, curiosity, and problem-solving will be key to your success in this field.”??

Visit the CLV Group and PBC Group careers page today at?https://clvgroup.bamboohr.com/careers ?to explore opportunities across our full platform of real estate services, including construction and development.??