With a 37-year career in the telecommunications industry – 30 of them dedicated to wireless – Martha has established herself as a visionary leader in one of the world’s most dynamic industries. Her passion for the fast pace of wireless technology drove her professional development, rising from Senior Engineer to Vice President, and making a significant mark at every stage. In December 2023, she capped a brilliant career with her retirement from T-Mobile USA.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and the daughter of immigrants with deep roots in the southern part of the state, Martha demonstrated a keen interest in mathematics and science from a young age. This enthusiasm led her to study at the UCLA School of Engineering, where she earned her B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1988. A proud Bruin at heart, she maintains a close connection to her alma mater, actively participating as a member of the UCLA School of Engineering Alumni Advisory Council. She has been a featured speaker at initiatives such as “Women in Engineering” and the Society of Women Engineers Evening with Industry.
During her time in college, Martha served in a leadership role in the Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE), convinced of the transformative power of mentoring and role modeling for women and girls in STEM. This conviction has led her to remain connected to SHPE as a life member and board member of the Los Angeles chapter.
After graduating, she joined Pacific Bell as a transportation engineer. Her wireless career began in 1995 with Pacific Bell Mobile Services, where she held the position of Senior Switch Engineer. Since then, her career progressed steadily: she was Director of Operations at Cingular Wireless, Executive Director of Engineering and Operations at AT&T Wireless, and then joined T-Mobile in 2008, rising in 2018 to Vice President in charge of the state of California. Under her leadership, more than 360 employees spread across three offices worked in key areas such as RF engineering, field operations and site development. Martha often proudly says, “I’ve been a part of all the G…. 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, and I am looking forward to 6G.”
T-Mobile was a great fit for her desire to put strategy into action, place the customer first, promote operational excellence and develop future leaders. The Southern California Area leads the nation in performance, project delivery, forging partnerships and people development. All while having # 1 Market Share and among the company’s lowest churn. She leads her teams to high performance while creating a positive work culture. Her team consistently had among the highest employee satisfaction results in the nation.
Her commitment to diversity and inclusion was also exemplary: she was active in the Technology Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Alliance, as well as internal groups Women & Allies Network, Women in Technology, Multicultural Alliance, and was an executive co-sponsor of the Eleva group.
Since her retirement, Martha has focused her energy on strengthening communities. She currently mentors women engineers, both inside and outside of T-Mobile, and chairs the board of directors for the American Red Cross of Los Angeles – Region 2. In addition, she serves on the Advisory Board of Kollab Youth Workforce, supporting youth in Los Angeles County as they explore careers in business, STEAM and emerging high-demand sectors.
Her love for engineering continues: she sits on the Advisory Board of Harmoni Tower and recently joined the board of Wescom Financial. A true believer in continuous learning, Martha will complete her MBA in September 2025.
She resides in Chino Hills, California, with her husband Fernando and their furry companion Huck. She is the mother of three grown children, Chris, Jeannine and Nicholas. In her spare time she enjoys theater, gardening, hiking, reading and travel, exploring at least two new destinations each year. Her recent adventures took her to Mexico City and Oaxaca, and for the summer of 2025 she already has plans to explore the majestic Swiss Alps.