Eller Alumna and Casa Martinez CEO, Adriana Martinez, Named Business Woman of the Year
Adriana Martinez ’08 BSBA (Accounting), ’09 MAcc, and member of the Eller National Board of Advisors, was recently named Business Woman of the Year at the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala. The honor recognizes Martinez's exceptional leadership in building one of the region's fastest-growing specialty food brands.
As CEO and president of Casa Martinez Company, Martinez has transformed her family's cherished salsa recipes into a thriving premium food business. Since its founding in 2012, under Martinez's leadership, Casa Martinez has become known for its commitment to using all-natural ingredients and traditional preparation methods, earning a dedicated following among food enthusiasts and retailers alike. The company's premium salsas can be found in 14,000 specialty grocery stores and major supermarket chains nationwide and abroad.
In her speech, Martinez talked about how her family values of hard work and persistence helped her build a successful company. “Since I was a little girl, I was taught at home that to accomplish anything in life, I always had to guide my life with honesty, respect, hard work, a good work ethic, and integrity. Today, these are the principles that still guide me. Be tenacious, persistent, resilient, and driven. When you start a company, ask for that one opportunity over and over, and not give up because you know that this could be the opportunity that makes the difference.”
Martinez also emphasized how her education at the Eller College shaped her career. She now gives back to the Eller community by providing scholarships for Hispanic women at the college.
"Adriana exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen we strive to instill in our students,” says Karthik Kannan, dean and Halle Chair in Leadership of the Eller College. “She has demonstrated that combining passion with solid business fundamentals can lead to extraordinary outcomes. We are immensely proud to count her among our distinguished alumni."
The annual gala, a key event for Tucson's business community, celebrates outstanding achievements by Hispanic business leaders who demonstrate excellence in entrepreneurship, innovation, and community impact.