News + Ideas

The Impact Blog is a spotlight series that highlights and celebrates the diverse employees that make MGAC tick. Beyond their day-to-day schedules, we want to know how they have a greater impact on their colleagues, their company, and the communities in which they live and work. We want to know what makes them get out of bed in the morning, what led them to their current role, and what they hope their lasting impact will be.

Today, we get to know Carmen Martinez, Project Manager at MGAC.

MGAC: Hello and welcome to the Impact Blog, Carmen!

Carmen Martinez (CM): Thank you!

MGAC: What is your role here at MGAC?

CM: I’m a project manager. That essentially means ensuring projects are on budget, on time, in line with the design, regulations, and codes, and meeting the client expectations. I’m with the London office, but currently based in Jamaica for a project here!

MGAC: When did you join the company?

CM: I joined in September of 2023.

MGAC: What brought you to MGAC?

CM: Previously, I worked as an assistant project manager for a contractor. That’s a pretty different role day-to-day from what I’m doing now, and I was ready for a change. A recruiter reached out to me, and I explained everything I’d hope for in a new role—supportive leadership, a diverse team, interesting projects—and she mentioned MGAC as a good fit.

MGAC: And how have you settled in since then?

CM: It’s been great. I’m now co-chair of our women’s network here at MGAC and part of the wellbeing group that’s being set up. Within the project management team, I’m also part of an IT group that’s focused on technology and investigating ways we can leverage it to be more efficient and effective.

MGAC: That’s great to hear. Did you always see yourself in this industry? 

CM: No, I originally thought I’d be a doctor. My mum is who pushed me to pursue construction engineering. I’m originally from Spain and was first generation going to university, so there were high expectations there—to be a doctor, be an engineer, be an architect. I thought doctor, but she thought that would take too long. Not that the engineering path is short! I always had an inquisitive mind, and so the studies kept my interest.

MGAC: Sounds like mum may have been onto something!

CM: Maybe!

MGAC: What do you think younger you would think about your role today? 

CM: I probably wouldn’t have pictured myself on a busy construction site leading important conversations, shouting across the site over noise, practicing patience and diplomacy in moments of tension. Younger me might have been kicked out quickly because I was still learning that last point! But there’s a lot to like about my role that I think I would come to appreciate.

MGAC: Tell us more.

CM: It’s a very diverse industry where you get to work with people from all walks of life. In some ways it’s difficult, because there are a lot of people tied to very old ways of doing things, but there are also people who are innovating on a daily basis and working hard to come up with better and brighter ways of doing things. There’s a challenge there, and I believe growth always comes from challenges. Growing as a professional and a person in that way is really rewarding.

MGAC: Fair enough! What’s keeping you busy at work right now?

CM: I am based in Jamaica working on a function centre for Sandals Hotels. The goal is for it to be the biggest in the Caribbean and their flagship location for conferences and events. It’s a very hands-on project, which is why I’m based here full-time. Because it’s so hands-on, I’m leaning heavily on my contracting background and on-site quite a lot. In Jamaica, there are very traditional contractors and then those who are getting into the new technologies you see more commonly in the U.S. and the UK. That difference means it’s vital to have someone plugged in at every level managing workloads, resources, timelines. Essentially, some of the things a contractor might do elsewhere isn’t commonplace here, so it’s in my purview as well.

MGAC: You mentioned the function center will be the flagship for conferences and events. How is the project bringing that to life?

CM: It’s designed to be very flexible to be able to host conferences, concerts, even large-scale weddings. There’s a large ballroom that contains three partitions, so one event could have different spaces for different use cases: pre-function networking, meetings, speaker sessions, cocktail hours, receptions, you name it. With that, state-of-the-art technology and high-end sound and lighting—far beyond what you’d normally see in similar venues in the Caribbean— is seamlessly built-in throughout to support any kind of event.

MGAC: Very cool! And is this the first project you’ve travelled and spent time on the ground for?

CM: This is my second! My first project with MGAC was in Montenegro working on a large development with residential and hospitality components, which I mostly managed from London. I’d worked on that, gone on holiday, and then immediately went to Jamaica for this current project!

MGAC: Wow! And do you enjoy getting to work in different places?

CM: Yes! I find it exciting. I’d always wanted a career that allowed me to see the world. As a child, I was adventurous, and growing up in Madrid, I was in a scouts-like program. When it was time to finish university, I decided to go off to London.

MGAC: So what’s next for you?

CM: I don’t know yet! We really want to do more work in the Caribbean and continue to build our presence there, so I might be around for a little while if more projects pop up here. Otherwise, I am excited to see where the work takes me!

MGAC: We will stay tuned! When you think about your career down the line, and all the adventures and projects you’re able to be a part of, what do you want your impact to be?

CM: I think the construction world can be harsh at times, unnecessarily so. With that, I always try to lead with kindness so future generations come to an industry that is more inclusive, more diverse, and an environment where you can be your whole self and genuinely enjoy the work. Kindness also extends to the environment. Construction has such a big impact on the environment. That can mean cutting down what used to be a forest or a mountain to create infrastructure for humans. There’s also a tendency to default to building with concrete. I think it’s important to merge with the environment, prioritize sustainability, and build kindly in that way. We’re getting better, but we can do more and for me, it’s important to be a leader there.

MGAC: And for the time being, what does an ideal day on the job look like for you?

CM: I think it looks like my days right now! I’ve got a really supportive team, an understanding client, and good communication with our contractor and external teams. We’ve got challenges, but we’re working through them, and doing that in a positive way. With any project there can be stress at times, but it can be productive if it is a healthy level! I’ve got a lovely colleague who sits next to me. I’ve got perfect weekends with nice weather. People come here for holidays, and I get to experience this place every single day! It’s hard to ask for more, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating this project when it’s finished!

MGAC: How do you plan to celebrate?

CM: I think any good celebration has two things: good music and good food! I’d love for everyone who’s worked on this project and everyone at Sandals to take a moment to really celebrate the accomplishment. We’re building a wonderful event space, so I think it would be really fun to have an event of our own to commemorate the work here!

MGAC: Sign us up! What gives you energy each day to keep up with ambitious builds like this one?

CM: I’ve got a good support circle. My colleagues and my partner who moved here with me keep me motivated and on track. The matcha tea my partner makes for me keeps me going as well!

MGAC: Amazing! Now are you ready for some rapid-fire questions?

CM: Yes!

MGAC: You’re starting your workday. What’s the first thing you do?

CM: Make a list of the day’s priorities.

MGAC: And the last thing? 

CM: Review what I’ve accomplished that day and note what I must focus on tomorrow.

MGAC: What’s the first item on your to-do list right now?

CM: Send meeting minutes.

MGAC: Early bird or night owl?

CM: Depends! I was a night owl in the UK, but here I am trying to make the most of every day, so I’m up earlier.

MGAC: Inbox zero or no?

CM: I love a squeaky clean inbox, but it can be challenging with busy projects like this one. Some days you have to work with what you’ve got, but that zero unread is always a goal.

MGAC: What’s the most interesting thing in your work bag right now?

CM: Books, no matter where I am. Right now, Manifest by Roxie Nafousi is at the ready.

MGAC: What can you not get through the workday without?

CM: Matcha! Some days, just the one, others are two-matcha days!

MGAC: What’s the most-used app on your phone?

CM: WhatsApp, followed by Pinterest.

MGAC: Packed lunch or lunch out?

CM: Packed lunch. Spanish food!

MGAC: How might you describe your job in five words or less?

CM: Riding a bicycle on fire!

MGAC: What’s your work goal for 2025?

CM: Deliver this project on time!

MGAC: Looking at the industry ten years from now, what do you predict will have changed?

CM: More technology. But not in a scary terminators way! Things that make work easier.

MGAC: What would your dream project look like?

CM: Two things: First, a project in Singapore in line with the cutting-edge sustainable builds there. And then, a bunker! I’ve always dreamed of doing a bunker! I’m a big nerd for those.

MGAC: What are you known for around the office?

CM: My colleague next to me says thinking outside the box, and being just the right amount of weird!

MGAC: What’s something your colleagues don’t know about you?

CM: I do acrobatics—I was inspired by Cirque du Soleil—and I scuba dive. I love how quiet it is under the water.

MGAC: Where might we find you if you’re not at work?

CM: In the UK, at a park or museum. Here, the beach or the garden.