{"id":771,"date":"2024-10-25T22:20:53","date_gmt":"2024-10-25T22:20:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/?post_type=stories&p=771"},"modified":"2025-03-29T01:17:25","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T01:17:25","slug":"anastasia-martinez-22","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/stories\/anastasia-martinez-22\/","title":{"rendered":"Anastasia Martinez \u201922"},"content":{"rendered":"

Majors: <\/strong>Business Administration<\/a> and Spanish<\/a><\/p>\n

What is your current position\/career?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Right after graduating, I <\/span>started working in venture capital,<\/span> primarily with impact funds that invest in underrepresented founders. I <\/span>secured a role at a $100 million venture fund that exclusively invested in U.S. Latino startups. With my skills in marketing and data analytics, I was able to support the fund and its\u2019 founders in various capacities. <\/span><\/p>\n

How did Cal Lutheran and\/or your business administration and spanish programs set you up for success in this position\/career?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cal Lutheran was<\/span> instrumental in preparing me for my career, especially through the mentorship I received from professors like LaVerne Seales, PhD, and Gerhard Apfelthaler, PhD. They nurtured my curiosity and passion for innovation, and the environment at Cal Lutheran gave me the confidence to pursue my interests in venture capital, with a particular focus on supporting the Latino community. My Spanish major also played a crucial role in helping me understand and connect with Latino entrepreneurs, which is a core part of my work today. The strong presence of the Hispanic community at Cal Lutheran reinforced my desire to make an impact by deploying capital into Latino-owned businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

What skills or proficiencies did you acquire at Cal Lutheran, through your studies or other activities, that you now use in your current position\/career?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was an active member in several business clubs, most notably Delta Sigma Pi, and I was vocal in a majority of the courses I took, especially my Business capstone taught by Tim Bruer and a marketing class by Dr. Susan Murphy. <\/span>By taking myself out of my comfort zone, I learned how to communicate effectively, lead by example, improve project management skills, and embrace my creativity. All of those attributes have made me into a well rounded professional, enabling me to work effectively with various teams. <\/span><\/p>\n

In general, what were some of your favorite aspects of the business administration and Spanish programs? Such as research, classes, professors, etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

My favorite class was films in Spanish taught by Rafaela Fiore Urizar, PhD. She has exquisite taste in films and she still has me thinking about certain ones. I really miss Cal Lutheran, it was one of the most open, warm, receptive environments. If it wasn\u2019t for that, I\u2019m not sure I would\u2019ve evolved the way I did because it was a positive place for me to grow as a young adult and challenge myself.<\/span><\/p>\n

How did your majors aid you in your path and studies? Why did you choose your majors?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am happy that I double majored. <\/span>Growing up, I sometimes felt disconnected from my heritage, so studying Spanish allowed me to reconnect with my culture and appreciate the richness of Latino culture. At the same time, the Business major equipped me with essential skills that apply to any industry. <\/span>Together, these two disciplines helped me find my niche in venture capital, where I can blend my business acumen with my passion for uplifting the Latino community.<\/span><\/p>\n

Could you share about your experience being named as Young Alumna of the Year<\/a> from Cal Lutheran? What was it like, how did you feel? What does the title represent?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Being named Young Alumna of the Year was incredibly validating for me. At the time, I was going through a tough period, feeling forced to make a career pivot, and wrestling with self-doubt. Getting that recognition was a powerful, external reminder that I was on the right path. It silenced the inner voice of doubt that kept telling me otherwise. Receiving the award was a clear message that I had earned my place and that I was, in fact, at the top of my game. <\/span><\/p>\n

I remember feeling so proud, beaming with joy because that recognition confirmed that the sacrifices I\u2019d made\u2014traveling frequently, being away from my family, and facing professional challenges\u2014were worth it and that I preserved. The recognition also sets a new standard for what Cal Lutheran alumni can achieve\u2014one that emphasizes community, integrity, and striving for greatness. I\u2019m not only honored to hold this title but to also embody it.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Right after graduating, I started working in venture capital, with impact funds that invest in underrepresented founders. The environment at Cal Lutheran gave me the confidence to pursue my interests in venture capital, with a particular focus on supporting the Latino community.The strong presence of the Hispanic community at Cal Lutheran reinforced my desire to make an impact by deploying capital into Latino-owned businesses. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":772,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[10,31],"tags":[3,34],"class_list":["post-771","stories","type-stories","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-administration","category-spanish","tag-alumni","tag-double-major"],"acf":{"test":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories\/771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/stories"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/49"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.callutheran.edu\/stories\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}