For Laura Martinez, the path to leadership was anything but ordinary. As a leader at Toyota North America, where she manages human resources development for the company, Laura oversees strategic development, inspiring future leaders, and creating growth opportunities for team members. But her journey to this position wasn’t paved with ease. It was shaped by a combination of tenacity, faith, and the guidance of mentors. Her story is one of resilience and self-discovery, driven by a deep commitment to both her faith and her career.

A lifelong learner and strategic thinker, Laura’s commitment to professional and personal growth has been central to her success. Yet, the most transformative influence in her career came when she became part of the 4word community, a group that provides mentorship, support, and connection for Christian women in the workplace.

“I didn’t have women in my life to lean on for guidance,” Laura shares, reflecting on her journey before discovering 4word. “I didn’t have those Christ-minded mentors, which is what I was craving.” Now, through her involvement in 4word, Laura has found the community, mentorship, and spiritual support she was missing in her earlier years – giving her the confidence to embrace her leadership role and be a mentor to others.

Early Struggles and the Drive for Learning

Laura’s story begins in a small town where she was born two months premature. Given little chance to survive, doctors informed her mother that if she did live, she would likely have significant disabilities. But Laura’s mother, armed with hope and determination, took her baby home. “My mom and grandmother slept in shifts to watch me breathe, unsure if I’d survive the night,” she remembers. Despite the doctors’ grim prognosis, Laura’s life became a testament to resilience, and her passion for learning and growing started early.

“As a child, I was always around learning,” Laura says. “I wasn’t always top of my class, but I loved learning. I was curious, always asking questions, and trying to help others with what I’d learned.” This intrinsic love of learning helped Laura persevere through adversity, from being a young, single mother to navigating her career path in human resources and leadership development.

The Road to Leadership: Finding Purpose in People Development

After working various jobs to support her child, Laura found herself drawn to human resources. Her journey into this field was less about a calculated plan and more about a series of divine interventions. “I had to work to provide for my child,” Laura explains, “but I always had a desire to learn and grow. And through that process, I discovered my passion for helping others do the same.”

Through various roles in HR, including working at staffing companies and later in education, Laura’s talent for teaching and facilitating development became evident. “I liked figuring out problems and teaching others how to solve them. It was fulfilling to help others do their jobs better,” she says. This desire to help others develop their skills and reach their potential would become the foundation of Laura’s leadership philosophy.

In 2017, Laura landed a pivotal role at Toyota North America. “The Lord illuminated this role for me that I would have never taken,” Laura reflects. “But when I interviewed, He told me, ‘This is gonna be your home.’” At Toyota, Laura leads a talented team of professionals focused on creating growth and development experiences for team members. But more than just a career, it became a calling to inspire others through leadership development.

Discovering 4word: A Community of Mentorship and Faith

In her leadership role at Toyota, Laura had been helping others for years, but something was still missing. “I didn’t have a spiritual mom or women to lean on,” Laura explains. “I didn’t have those women who had gone before me to show me the way, especially as a mom with adult children and as a leader.” It wasn’t until she connected with 4word that Laura realized how much she had been craving a community of like-minded women.

Laura was first introduced to 4word by Mara McNeil, a 4word board member and a former CEO at Toyota. “Mara reached out to me and said, ‘Would you be interested in joining the 4word Mentor Program?’” Laura recalls. At first, she hesitated, citing excuses like a lack of time and money. But Mara’s offer changed everything. “This was an opportunity to get involved, and everything lined up. I joined the program and loved it.”

Through 4word, Laura found the mentorship, community, and spiritual support she had long been missing. “There’s something about the way that God moves in the women of 4word,” Laura says. “They’ve poured into me and built me up, reminding me that I am equipped for the tasks before me. I no longer question myself. 4word has helped me see that the experiences God gave me are for His glory. There’s no question about what I’m stepping into.”

Becoming a Mentor: Giving Back and Inspiring Others

As Laura grew in her confidence and spiritual maturity, she also began mentoring other women. “The way God moves in the lives of women through 4word is incredible,” Laura shares. “What I love about being a mentor is that you not only help women with their careers, but you also help them discover how to align their work with their faith. You get to see them grow and walk alongside them as they navigate life and career.”

In her role as a mentor, Laura has helped women in a variety of stages in their careers, offering guidance on everything from leadership challenges to personal growth. “It’s not about giving them all the answers. It’s about walking alongside them and helping them see their potential,” Laura says. “Mentorship is about helping someone else accelerate faster than you did. That’s what I want to be a part of.”

Laura’s involvement in the 4word Mentor Program has not only strengthened her faith but also deepened her understanding of her leadership potential. “Being a mentor in 4word has helped me see my own leadership abilities more clearly,” she admits. “It’s shown me that I can help others discover their potential, just as I’ve been able to discover mine.”

The 4word Community: A Place for Every Woman

For women like Laura, the 4word community has become a lifeline; a place to find mentorship, support, and guidance, no matter where they are in their career. “4word has shown me that I don’t have to navigate my career alone,” Laura says. “I have a community of women who are just as passionate about their faith and their careers as I am. That’s what makes 4word so special.”

4word offers multiple avenues for women to connect, grow, and find support, including Community Groups, the 4word Mentor Program, and 4word Collaboratories. Whether you are looking for a mentor, seeking personal and professional growth, or simply looking for a community of like-minded women, 4word has a place for you.

Laura’s journey with 4word has inspired her to encourage other women to get involved. “If you’re a woman of faith, the 4word Mentor Program is for you,” Laura says. “Don’t be afraid to take that first step, whether as a mentor or a mentee. You’ll discover so much about yourself, your faith, and your leadership potential.”

The Power of Faith and Mentorship

Laura Martinez’s story is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, community, and faith. Through 4word, she found the guidance, support, and encouragement she needed to step into her full potential as a leader, mentor, and woman of faith. Now, she’s paying it forward by helping other women discover their own God-given potential.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and faith, 4word offers the resources and community you need. Join 4word today and find your own path to leadership, mentorship, and personal growth. As Laura says, “4word is here to remind you that God has equipped you for this. It’s time to step into your purpose and make a difference.”

Laura Martinez is a leader at Toyota North America where she leads a talented group of human resources development professionals, focused on creating fantastic growth and development experiences for Toyota team members. Laura has responsibility for leading the strategic development approach to team member and leader development, inspiring future leaders, and ensuring an engaging team member experience. She consistently thinks strategically, encouraging others to recognize their full potential personally and professionally.

As a trailblazer, Laura models excellence and determination. She is a strategic thought leader with expertise in Instructional Design, Leadership Development, Cultural Transformation, Facilitation, and Coaching / Mentoring. 

Before joining Toyota, Laura had a successful career in recruiting and human resources. She also obtained an alternative teacher certification as a Dual Language elementary educator for Northwest ISD.

Laura is a lifelong learner, having earned a Master of Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction from Dallas Baptist University. She currently serves as a Board of Director with Uplift Education. Laura resides in Roanoke, Texas, alongside her husband. They have three children, some of whom have already left the nest. As their youngest is a sophomore in high school, they savor each moment, embracing transition into the empty nest phase of their lives. Laura’s household is further brightened by the presence of two delightful goldendoodle dogs, bringing joy and excitement to their family.