Luis Martinez, M.Ed.
Managing Partner
Human Capital Strategy Partners
PO Box 242, Pittsford, NY 14534
Phone:  585-766-9536
Luis@HumanCapitalSP.com

Luis Martínez has been successfully coaching and advising professionals and executives since 1983.  In 2008 Luis formed a strategic management consulting firm, Gran Altura, Inc.   Through this client-focused firm Luis effectively serves many businesses and individuals who want to achieve higher levels of performance. 

Prior to establishing Gran Altura, Luis was employed in top level positions in multinational manufacturing, healthcare and business consulting.  In Xerox, Luis directed a global human resources team for Worldwide Manufacturing with facilities in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia.  Prior to Xerox, Luis was Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Lehigh Valley Hospital.  Previous designations and assignments for Luis also include Vice President and General Manager of Exide Batteries in Puerto Rico, where his business acumen led the successful turn-around of a manufacturing / sales / service division.  He was also Director of Human Resources at Exide Technologies, Manager at The Hay Group, and Field Supervisor in the Federal Government.

With a B.A. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of Delaware, Luis has earned certification as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and as a Certified Compensation Professional (CCP).  Bilingual and bicultural in Spanish, Luis is a trusted advisor and strategic partner to senior leaders.  His comprehensive career development books, Getting There and Getting There Volume 2, are receiving highest reviews in Amazon.com. 

Born and raised in Cuba, Luis was sent to the United States at the age of 12 by his parents to avoid his conscription into Fidel Castro’s militia.  He learned to speak English in 7th grade, and after his parents arrived in Miami, Luis attended 6 schools in 5 years, while his parents moved through three states in search of better jobs.  Luis observed his parents, Jose Luis and Zoila, as they managed through crises – a story of courage and survival.  Luis credits their tutelage for his boundless faith and optimism.

An avid sports car racer, triathlete, Kung Fu brown belt and writer, Luis makes his home with his family in Pittsford, near Rochester, New York.

Summary of the Session: The World Is Flat - Implications for Business, Ethics and Human Resources

Changes are upon us at unprecedented speed. The world is quickly becoming a level playing field (flat) where all cultures and races demand access. Globalization is blurring all boundaries – political, geographic, cultural, language, even personal. How do we prepare for these changes?  What can / should we do as nations, companies, communities and individuals to become inclusive and remain competitive?

Learning objectives of the session:

• To learn the basic tenets of Thomas Friedman’s book, The World is Flat and its implications for diversity and inclusion
• Anticipate and discover issues brought by globalization for all businesses, even smaller ones
• Understand that diversity and inclusion go well beyond race, or gender, or age issues, and transcend cultures and languages and even ways of thinking.
• To offer a number of provocative suggestions and insights to properly prepare for inexorable global change, employing interactive discussion and encouraging give and take with the audience.