Diverse career experience leads finance guru to JLL
Senior Finance Director Marty Martin uses expertise to drive innovation in commercial real estate
JLL’s Marty Martin, has worked for several complex global companies throughout his diverse career. World energy leader GE Energy, multinational technology company Dell Technologies, and one of the world’s leading hotel companies, InterContinental Hotels Group, are just a few of the companies where Marty drew upon his Six Sigma Green Belt certification to lead improvement projects. In each job, he relied on the strength of his education and experience in finance, strategy and operations to achieve the best business results and push for pragmatic innovation.
But it wasn’t until he arrived at JLL, that he was able to use the unique combination of his education in finance with an emphasis on real estate. Today, Marty leads a diverse team as a Senior Director of Finance working on a multinational investment bank and financial services account in a high visibility, client-facing role.
Overcoming obstacles and finding solutions is something Marty has dealt with since he was a young child. Growing up, he lived with severe asthma which inhibited him from attending school regularly or playing sports. But it was overcoming that experience that he says helped shape who he is today.
“As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done’ and that’s my mantra for my career and in life,” said Marty.
In his spare time, Marty volunteers with Ronald McDonald House Charities, something he’s been involved with for nearly nine years, and is also a member of JLL’s Empower Black Professionals Network out of the Atlanta office.
Marty connected with us to share more about his education, career path, passion for helping others and his advice for future Black leaders.
What do you do at JLL?
I am a Senior Director of Finance for one of our multinational investment bank and financial services accounts. In my role, I lead a large team performing end-to-end finance and accounting services for their portfolio including financial strategy, innovation, and data solutions.
How did you make your way to JLL?
I was initially recruited to JLL to work on a major U.S. airline account. Just recently, I was recruited to work with a new client, a multinational investment bank and financial services company.
Where did you go to college/university?
I received my MBA from St. Leo University. For my undergrad degree, I attended Morehouse College, the only all-male Historically Black College or University in the world. Morehouse has some amazing alumni in their legacy, such as Martin Luther King Jr., Howard Thurman, Shelton "Spike" Lee, and Jeh Johnson.
Join our Talent Network
Let's stay connected. Our Talent Network is the ideal place to enhance your job search, speed up the application process or simply learn more about life at JLL.
What do you enjoy most about working here?
JLL inspires ambition talent to achieve more through opportunities and challenges that brings the best out of its people. I like the value and expertise we bring to our clients. You can hear their relief knowing that we are supportive of their Corporate Real Estate needs. Additionally, I love working with very talented people.
What does the JLL’s Empower Black Professionals Network (BPN) mean to you?
It is accountability for Black professionals to challenge the evolving need of networking and support across a unique firm. This gives Black professionals a voice from various levels within a matrixed organization. I appreciate the opportunity to support the BPN. When I think of the BPN, I think of three words – dynamic, innovative, and culture.
Do you have a message about developing racial inclusivity at work?
The human race is the only race.
Who inspires you, whether in your community, professionally, or personally?
People who commit selfless acts of kindness.
Tell us about your volunteer work with Ronald McDonald House Charities – how did you get involved?
As a child, I had severe asthma that would cause asthma attacks. I was only able to physically attend 2nd grade for just over 60 days as I spent most of the school year in the hospital. I was referred to a world-renowned asthma specialist, Dr. Keith Phillips, who would remain my doctor for 20 years. He worked out of Emory/Egleston Ronald McDonald Clinic and would help me learn to manage my asthma. He even got me to the point where I was able to play school sports like track, basketball, football and tennis. When I was a finance manager at InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) where my team was looking for a charity to support, I shared my story with my team, and we scheduled our first charity event where we prepared meals for families who were staying at the newly built Ronald McDonald House. This is a tradition I continue to do with my own children because I know the value of a good home cooked meal from having to spend so much time in a hospital as a child.
What advice do you have to inspire success at JLL?
Execution and persistence will get you far.
