Martha Walters, MBA: Challenges, Sacrifices and Successes

As controller for Pride Conveyance in Hollister, California, Martha Walters manages the finances and cash flow for the local entity of a multinational company, overseeing payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and some administrative duties. She has five direct reports, works closely with the CFO, the local branch president, and director of operations.

This accomplished businesswoman and MBA (‘20) was named Outstanding MBA Graduate at CSUMB's 2020 College of Business Showcase Awards—an achievement that’s all the sweeter because her path to it was difficult. She has surmounted challenges that many women in manufacturing and other professional fields will find familiar, as well as ones with more personal roots.

Martha is the daughter of immigrants who worked in the fields to keep food on the table, and they did it with the intent of providing their family with a better life. “For my parents, education was always paramount. [They said,] ‘You're going to go to college. We'll find a way to pay for it.’”

“It's hard to put into words all the sacrifices that [my parents have] gone through. And it would have been wasteful for me not to take advantage of that opportunity.”

Going back to school can be a daunting choice for anyone, but it carried particular weight for Martha, who had struggled in college. “I was working two jobs and didn't have the highest GPA. I wasn't sure that I could complete my MBA.”

So why take it on? “I feel that, although the paradigm is changing in terms of the role that women, and minorities in particular, have in the workplace, it's still an uphill climb.”

As she hoped, Martha’s experience is enriching her professional life. “The most impactful takeaway is that I’m becoming more assertive, knowing that the MBA program gave me the tools to perform my job well.”

“I feel more vocal. I'm advocating not just for myself, but for other women and other minorities. I've been empowered by earning my MBA. I feel confident to speak up and know that my opinion matters.” 

Read Martha's full story at mbs.csumb.edu.

Martha completed her undergraduate work at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both International Business as well as Marketing Management. During her time at Cal Poly, Martha was fortunate to have participated in a study abroad program where she attended La Sorbonne Université in Paris, an experience that fueled her desire to work in the international business arena. Martha is currently the Controller for a multinational corporation based in Hollister, where she looks forward to implementing the skills she has acquired through CSUMB’s MBA program.

Martha’s journey to completing her MBA would not have been possible without her family’s unrelenting support. She thanks her husband Kevin, son Jacob, and daughter Elizabeth for believing in her and being her greatest source of inspiration throughout the program. She credits her parents, Javier and Guillermina Muñoz, for teaching her that with hard work and determination anything is possible. Martha also thanks her siblings: Javier, Lorena, Veronica, Monica, and Albert for encouraging her to become a better version of herself.

The love and support Martha received from her family gave her the courage to embark on this journey. She is honored and grateful to have been a part of this challenging yet rewarding experience.