Team Member Spotlight: Lauren Martinez - Penn-Mar

Team Member Spotlight: Lauren Martinez

Posted on January 28, 2025

Each month, we highlight a “behind-the-scenes” team member whose work supports our mission, but whose face you might not often see on our social media pages.

We’re excited to help you get to know our innovative team and the complex work we do.

So, tune in for our #TeamMemberSpotlight, where our team members share in their own words a bit about themselves!

Lauren at disney world with minnie mouse behind her. What is your job title? I am a Support Team Manager for the Northwest team at our Westminster location.

How long have you been with Penn-Mar? I just celebrated two years with Penn-Mar this January!

How did you get connected with Penn-Mar? I was looking for a career switch for several months and Penn-Mar kept popping up! I knew of someone who already worked in the organization, and my husband was also interested in applying but the timing hadn’t worked out yet. When I saw the position for a Quality Coordinator on Indeed, I took the leap of faith and applied. We are both now happily employed at Penn-Mar!

What was your previous work experience prior to Penn-Mar and how did it prepare you for your current role? I’ve had a lot of different work experiences in service industries and spent quite some time in early childhood education, but what prepared me the most for this role I owe to my brother, who also has an IDD.

What does your work entail? As a Support Team Manager, I support a team of DSPs and coordinate community supports for those we support. Collaboration is a huge part of the role as well, and coordinating with all of those at West is essential to the functionality of community supports.

What’s an average day like for you? It varies from day to day, but most days I am collaborating with team members and connecting with those we support to ensure things are running smoothly.

What’s one thing you wish people realized about your job? There are a lot of people asking for a moment of your time, whether it’s a team member, a person we support, a family member or other support organization. Making time for everyone among the other job duties is a delicate balance, but it’s the part I love the most.

In another life, your career path is . . .  I originally went to school in hopes of becoming a pediatric doctor so I could join Doctors Without Borders, but quickly discovered that Chemistry was the bane of my existence. I ended up in Anthropology and had hoped to live abroad tied to a relief organization, but life took a very different turn for me. I still get to use my Anthropology degree daily though!

Why is Penn-Mar’s mission important to you? Everyone is in search of their version of a best life. Helping support someone to find that best life based on the way they want to discover it is such an honor and something I am passionate about.

What’s one thing you wished the general public knew about people with IDD? They are just like you and me. They have hopes and dreams, opinions and thoughts, and they just want to be treated and have the same opportunities as anyone else would. I wish the general community could reach the point where they wouldn’t look at someone with IDD as someone with a limitation, but rather an asset that brings a lot to the table that everyone could learn from.

What is your favorite quote or mantra? “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

Or  “Hakuna Matata” – Lion King

Any hidden talents or fun facts someone wouldn’t know about you? I don’t think I have any hidden talents or fun facts, but I am known for my love of all things Disney. I am also passionate about reading, traveling, and music.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, you’d visit . . . Traveling is one of my favorite things to do. I am always planning trips in my head of where I want to go next. Right now, Spain sounds amazing.

In your spare time, you’ll be found . . .  Usually curled up watching a Disney movie or Harry Potter or sometimes even reading a book.

A book, movie, TV show, sports team, etc. you love: One of my favorite book series is the Chronicles of Narnia, and my favorite TV show is New Girl.

Something fun, interesting, or meaningful about yourself: I am really big on family and live in a multi-generational home. I recently became a mom, and my daughter is the biggest blessing to my life.

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