March 3, 2026

Anastasia Martinez didn’t start with a leadership title or a clear path. 

She had curiosity and a willingness to follow ideas, even when they didn’t have obvious answers. That mindset, shaped early and sharpened at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has guided her work in venture capital and in pushing for more equitable investment practices. 

She came to RPI as a McNair Scholar, part of a federally funded program that supports first-generation and underrepresented students preparing for graduate school. The fellowship was more than financial help. It gave her a sense of direction during a time when she was figuring out how to turn her interests in business, marketing, and community into something lasting. 

“Being a McNair Scholar and receiving that fellowship made everything possible,” she said. “It allowed me to focus fully on my education and take advantage of opportunities I didn’t even know existed before I became an RPI student.” 

Learning in a Global Setting 

At the Lally School of Management, Anastasia studied Business Analytics. Many of her classmates were international students, and their perspectives shifted how she approached problems. Case studies weren’t just theory—classmates brought in real examples from their home countries. She started noticing blind spots in her thinking and learned to listen before leading. 

“That experience forced me to be open minded,” she said. “It made me realize how much you can miss if you only look at problems through one lens.” 

This way of thinking became a core part of her leadership style. She still relies on it when evaluating founders, ideas, and investments. 

Turning Ideas Into Action 

RPI’s question, “Why not change the world?” stuck with her. At Lally, it wasn’t just a slogan—it shaped how she worked. In venture capital, that mindset helped her tackle a gap she uncovered through research: less than one percent of venture funding goes to Latino-led startups. That wasn’t just a statistic to her. It was something to fix. 

She joined a VC firm with a fund size of $100M focused on Latino founders and used what she learned at RPI to evaluate companies. She also pushed back on industry norms that often overlook underrepresented entrepreneurs. 

“If there are billions of dollars in this market, then equity is not just possible, it’s necessary,” she said. 

Learning from Mentors, Giving Back in Return 

Mentorship has shaped Anastasia’s path. One of her most influential mentors was a Latina general partner at her firm, someone who didn’t sugarcoat the challenges. 

“She was honest with me about the politics of the role and how to navigate them,” Anastasia said. “That kind of honesty is what makes mentorship meaningful.” 

She also learned from founders like Sandra Velasquez, who was making Nopalera products in her apartment when they met. Watching her grow the business globally showed Anastasia that rejection doesn’t end the story—resilience does more than timing. 

Now she makes time for students and early-career professionals, especially those who don’t yet see people who look like them in the industries they want to enter. 

“If you don’t see people like you in the room, that’s often a sign you belong there,” she said. 

Redefining What Success Looks Like 

Her path hasn’t been straightforward. Moving from California to New York, getting into VC earlier than planned, and learning how to pace herself took constant adjustment. 

As a student, she worked at full speed. Now she knows when to slow down to make better choices. 

“There are moments when you need to accelerate, and moments when slowing down actually leads to better decisions,” she said. 

Staying Connected to RPI 

Anastasia stays closely tied to RPI and the Lally School—not just out of gratitude, but because they still represent innovation, access, and community. She sees alumni stories as reminders that higher education still opens doors, especially for first-generation students. 

“Those stories help refuel inspiration,” she said. “They show that the investment is worth it.” 

Advice to Students 

Her advice to new students at RPI is simple: get involved early, build real relationships, and don’t wait to share your story. 

“Start owning your narrative,” she said. “You don’t have to wait until someone gives you permission to speak.” 

Her path shows that leadership isn’t about following a script. It’s about asking better questions, staying open, and helping others move forward too. 

Author: Lynda Holt, holtl3@rpi.edu