Isela Martinez

Villanova University

“Architect, sustainability leader, mother of four, and lifelong learner driven by resilience, strategy, and purpose.”

Age: 48

Hometown: Hampstead, NC

Fun fact about yourself: I paid my way through architecture school selling diamonds in a mall jewelry store. Today, I’m a licensed architect pursuing an MBA in sustainability and AI, but my most rewarding role has been raising four children through military deployments, career reinvention, and nonstop growth. Since 2018, my family has also hosted foreign exchange students, an experience that has filled our home with lifelong friendships, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Undergraduate School and Degree: Bachelor of Architecture, New School of Architecture & Design

Where are you currently working? LS3P, Project Architect (Transitioned from Sustainability Design Specialist this year)

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? I’m most proud of helping shift how sustainability is viewed within my firm. Over the past year, I helped lead AIA 2030 reporting initiatives, launched firmwide sustainability resources and presentations, developed workflows and tools that teams still use today, and helped make performance-driven design more approachable for project teams.

What means the most to me is the cultural shift that followed. Sustainability stopped feeling like an intimidating requirement and became part of everyday conversations around design excellence and project delivery. Seeing people actively engage with it, and even champion it themselves, has been incredibly rewarding.

As a Latina in a profession where representation remains limited, I’ve become increasingly passionate about mentorship and helping others see leadership roles as attainable.

Why did you choose this school’s online MBA program? I chose this program because it sat at the intersection of sustainability, business strategy, and AI- three areas shaping the future of design and leadership.

After years in architecture, I realized I didn’t just want to design buildings. I wanted to influence larger conversations around strategy, innovation, and long-term impact.

The online format also allowed me to continue growing professionally while balancing work, family life, and the realities of being a military spouse and mother of four.

What was your favorite part of being in an online MBA program? My favorite part was applying what I learned in real time. I wasn’t studying hypothetical business problems – I was using MBA concepts immediately in active projects, sustainability initiatives, and strategic conversations at work.

I also loved being surrounded by classmates from completely different industries. It challenged the way I think and made me a stronger collaborator and problem-solver.

How did your online MBA experience compare with your in-the-classroom experience as an undergraduate student? My undergraduate architecture education was highly creative, intense, and design-focused. The MBA experience felt different: more strategic, analytical, and self-directed.

Together, they’ve shaped how I approach leadership. Architecture taught me how to think creatively and solve problems visually, while the MBA strengthened my ability to connect ideas to business strategy, operations, and long-term decision-making.

What is your best piece of advice to an applicant for thriving in an online MBA program? Treat the program like a leadership lab, not just a degree. Apply what you learn immediately, stay disciplined with your time, and build relationships with your classmates.

Also, give yourself grace. Balancing work, school, and life isn’t easy, especially later in your career or while raising a family. Consistency matters more than perfection.

How has your online MBA education helped you in your current job? The MBA strengthened my ability to connect design decisions to business outcomes. I now approach sustainability not just as a design goal, but as a strategic conversation that involves performance, operations, client value, and long-term resilience.

It also gave me the confidence to step into higher-level conversations around innovation, data, leadership, and organizational strategy.

Did you earn a promotion while in the program or immediately after graduation? I stepped into a firm-wide sustainability design specialist role and am now transitioning back into a Project Architect role with expanded strategic influence.

The shift reflects both technical growth and leadership development, integrating sustainability directly into project delivery.

Why did you pursue an online MBA program instead of a full-time residential or executive MBA program? I didn’t want to pause my career to grow professionally. I wanted to evolve while actively working, leading projects, and raising a family.

The online format allowed me to immediately apply what I was learning while balancing the realities of work, motherhood, and life. It was demanding, but incredibly rewarding.

It also made it possible to balance career, education, and family without compromising on rigor.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What insights did you gain from using AI? AI was integrated into the program as both a tool and a strategic discussion topic. We explored how it can support analysis, decision-making, and innovation across industries.

My biggest takeaway is that AI amplifies expertise; it doesn’t replace it. The real value comes from combining technology with human judgment, creativity, and experience.

Number of Hours Per Week Spent on an Online MBA: 15–20 hours per week

What is your ultimate long-term professional goal? My long-term goal is to help shape a more resilient and sustainable built environment by connecting design, business strategy, and performance-driven decision-making.

I want to lead conversations around how buildings respond to climate challenges while still creating spaces that genuinely improve people’s lives.

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