Meet Sienna Martinez | Chief Executive Officer, MiMentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sienna Martinez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sienna, what do you attribute your success to?
MiMentor, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in 2012 by a group of physicians who sought to pay it forward to the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing mentorship and by creating a network that has grown to over 15,000 members in the last 11 years! Our mission is to develop and support innovative and inclusive mentorship opportunities that will inspire the next generation of diverse healthcare leaders from underserved communities through mentorship, virtual and in-person programming.

Now, in my role as the Chief Executive Officer of MiMentor, leading our incredible team of over 70 volunteers across California, I feel truly blessed and privileged. We’re the ones who craft both our virtual and in-person programs for our vast network of 15,000 members. Together, we’re making a real impact, molding the future of healthcare, connection by connection.

What really drives our organization’s success is the strength we find in unity. Our grassroots leadership team is a melting pot of diverse backgrounds, experiences, ages, professions, networks, and skills. It’s this beautiful mix that allows us to achieve so much more together than we ever could alone.

I recently had the honor of leading the planning committee for our annual Women in Medicine conference. Traditionally, it’s been held in either Southern or Northern California due to our strong network of partners in those areas. However, having grown up in the Central Valley myself, along with a few others on my team, we recognized the pressing need for such conferences in that region.

Dr. Margarita Loeza, a key leader in both our organization and at Charles Drew University, initiated contact with a newly established medical school in the Central Valley. She then passed the baton to one of our local Central Valley leader, Jennifer Balino, who cultivated the relationship with our new partner. The medical school not only agreed to host but also to sponsor the event. Simultaneously, another leader, Viclarie Lozoya, established a connection with the UCSF Center for Latinx Excellence, which generously offered to host and sponsor as well. Meanwhile, I maintained communication with AltaMed, a long-time supporter in Southern California, who eagerly partnered with us for the conference. This collaboration led to a significant milestone for our organization: for the first time in the seven years of hosting this conference, we expanded to three locations with a hybrid format, drawing nearly 100 attendees across Southern California, Northern California, and the Central Valley.

This accomplishment underscores how we harness the strength of our unity to make impactful strides as an organization.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career journey has been guided by a deep connection to a mission rather than attachment to any specific organization. This mindset led me to my current role as Chief Executive Officer at MiMentor. Before this, I spent four years as a volunteer, which provided a constant anchor amidst life changes such as transferring universities, graduating college, and switching jobs. Through my involvement in MiMentor, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by leaders who share my cultural background and have experienced similar journeys. This support system has been incredibly valuable, helping to boost my confidence and bridge the gap between where I was and where I wanted to be. Witnessing powerful men and women from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine excelling in their fields inspired me to push myself further and believe in my abilities. Now, I truly believe that with determination and strategy, I can accomplish anything.

My approach has always been to identify needs within organizations and position myself as being integral to the solution. A goal of mine has been to get paid to be myself, and I am truly blessed that my work with MiMentor aligns perfectly with this aspiration. I’ve learned that confidence and consistency are key differentiators in any profession. Despite not always feeling comfortable putting myself out there or fully recognizing my own value, I’ve come to understand that nobody truly has it all figured out—we’re all just navigating through life. What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to showing up every day and striving for improvement. My morning routine, which includes prioritizing physical exercise, plays a significant role in setting a positive tone for the day. By choosing to invest in myself first thing in the morning, I find that I’m better equipped to tackle whatever challenges come my way.

In essence, my story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and a relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth. What I want the world to know is that success isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up consistently, believing in yourself, and embracing the journey of continuous improvement. And through my work with MiMentor, I hope to inspire others to do the same, empowering them to realize their full potential and make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When visiting Los Angeles, my number one recommendation would be to experience the excitement of a Dodgers game. For other experiences, I would recommend one day in Orange County, starting with tea at the Hello Kitty Cafe in Irvine and ending with Disneyland – California Adventure.

For the fitness and outdoorsy types, a hike through Topanga Canyon or a workout at Manhattan Beach offers the perfect blend of fitness and scenery.

For creative energy I recommend a visit to Little Tokyo starting with an appointment at Pinku DIY Studio, where you can craft your own jewelry box or phone case and the Little Tokyo Mall where you can capture some fun memories in the anime-style photo booths.

As far as food recommendations, mariscos at Conis is a must, Omakase at Sushi Tama, and enjoying fresh catches and micheladas at San Pedro Fish Market.

For a night out, I recommend La Cita Bar and then Leo’s Tacos for a late-night bite.

Lastly, I would recommend any concert or show at the Hollywood Bowl. It is my all-time favorite venue. And of course, no trip to SoCal would be complete without some boba from Sunright Tea Studio—refreshing and delicious, it’s the perfect way to end any adventure in the area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to give a special shoutout to MiMentor, an organization that has played a pivotal role in shaping my journey towards medicine. But I specifically want to express my gratitude to my mentor, Dr. Alfred Glover, whom I connected with through MiMentor. Dr. Alfred Glover has been an incredible source of inspiration for me, not only in my aspirations as a future physician leader but also as a person, a thinker, and a community advocate. His guidance has been transformative, especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine like myself, providing the necessary support and encouragement to navigate the challenges of healthcare education and excel in it.

One piece of advice from Dr. Glover that resonates deeply with me is the importance of reinventing oneself every 5-10 years. This mindset reminds me of the need for continuous growth and adaptation in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare. Dr. Glover’s mentorship exemplifies the profound impact that supportive mentors can have on shaping the future of healthcare.

Website: www.mimentor.org

Instagram: mimentor

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siennamartinez6/