Los Angeles native, Pauline Martinez, currently serves as Administrative Assistant to Dr. Manuel Castells, University Professor, and Wallis Annenberg Chair in Technology Communication and Society at the USC Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism. Her top priorities are to manage three ongoing research projects, provide a range of administrative support to Prof. Castells, and provide academic support to undergraduate and graduate scholars.
A USC double alumna with a bachelor's degree in Public Policy and Management, and a master's degree in Social Entrepreneurship, she also earned post-graduate certification in Business and Sustainability. Pauline solves complex problems, by focusing on mitigating the effects of environmental influences in vulnerable, urban multifamily communities. She invested over ten years in implementing solutions to improve water and energy efficiency, increase public safety, and initiate healthy nutrition options in Northeast Los Angeles. Her efforts realized over $200,000 in grants, rebates, and private donations in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the USC Good Neighborhood Campaign, the District One Councilman’s Office, and the Lincoln Heights Benefit Association.
Most recently, Pauline purchased her first investment property, going deeper into the practice of sustainable strategies concerning home renovation. By utilizing upcycling and recycling methods, Pauline and her team converted a neglected two-bedroom (+den), two-bathroom townhouse, into a modern, spacious three-bedroom, three-bathroom family home. The challenge was to make the unit livable while adding value to the process. Hiring local vendors and purchasing most of the building materials and appliances from non-profits and reputable discount outlets, her team regenerated inventories of furniture and artifacts back into local non-profit enterprises.
After the completion of the Ross Program, Pauline intends to found her own women-owned business (Pauline Martinez Investments/PMI), providing consulting services for urban, multifamily communities.