Nancy Martinez: Driving Change by Creating Happier & Healthier Work Environments

Workplace well-being and employee happiness are not just feel-good con­cepts, they are essential for productivity, engage­ment, and long-term business success. When employees feel valued, supported, and fulfilled, they perform better, collab­orate more effectively, and stay moti­vated. Raising awareness of workplace happiness helps organizations shift from outdated models focused solely on results to creating environments where people thrive. A happy workplace fosters innovation, reduces burnout, and im­proves retention. A prominent consul­tant dedicated to enhancing employee well-being and happiness in the work­place is Nancy Martínez.

Nancy Martínez's journey began with her studies at the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico, where she pursued trade relationships, a field she never anticipated would shape her career so profoundly. She later earned a master’s degree in administration with a special­ization in human resources, followed by another master’s in gamification, re­inforcing her innovative approach to workplace learning.

Her professional career started at just 17, selling courses before stepping into the corporate world. She gained her first real industry experience at ADECCO, a leading human resources firm, where she began as an intern. Initially drawn to marketing, she transitioned between roles, working as a marketing assistant before fate redirected her path back to human resources. She then built a de­cade-long career at Banamex, followed by a pivotal role in training at MetLife. Now, as CEO of Grupo Live, Nancy is a trailblazer in workplace happiness, emo­tional intelligence, and gamified learn­ing, being a pioneer in Mexico and Latin America.

Below is an excerpt of Nancy Martínez's exclusive interaction with The Global Women Leader magazine.

Can you share insights into your early years? What significant influences helped shape you into the person you are today?

Growing up, I lived in a poor and dangerous neighborhood. My father was strict, often saying no to everything and resorting to harsh discipline. This fueled my rebellious nature and strengthened my resolve to become independent. I started working at a young age with two clear goals, leaving home and breaking free from poverty.

One day, while playing basketball, my best friend suddenly started acting strangely. As my friends ran, I stood frozen. Days later, he was killed. Only then did I realize he had been the neighborhood bully. That moment changed me. I vowed to become my best self, work harder, and achieve all my dreams.

Share insights into your extensive professional journey in the organizational L&D space. What key areas of expertise do you bring to the table as a trainer?

I have always believed that training should be more than just a process, it should be engaging, immersive, and truly transformative. As a consultant, speaker, trainer, and facilitator, I quickly realized that traditional methods simply do not work. That is why I developed my own methodology, ensuring that every consultant I train masters it to perfection.

For real learning to happen, people must first recognize the need for change, growth, or improvement. Without that awareness, no amount of training will be effective. This is why gamification is at the core of what we do. Instead of relying on PowerPoint presentations or manuals, we use play and reflection, turning learning into an experience that sparks self-discovery and growth.

Our approach is disruptive, engag­ing, and unlike anything traditional. Clients are often surprised by how much they enjoy the process. Beyond learning, we integrate well-being and happiness. Imagine starting a session with aromatherapy and self-connection. It changes everything.

In Mexico, many training programs still follow a conventional format, but we choose to be different. And that difference is what sets us apart.

Nancy Martínez is redefining workplace culture, proving that happiness, well-being, and productivity go hand in hand for lasting success

What inspired you to establish Grupo Live? Describe the vision behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

Eleven years ago, I faced a turning point in my life when I was fired from a company I was working for. At first, it felt like a huge setback, but in that moment, I saw an opportunity. I imagined myself at 50, still working for someone else, vulnerable to the same situation. That is when I decided to create something of my own, and formed Grupo Live.

I wanted to do things differently. Instead of following traditional HR consulting methods, I immersed myself in positive psychology and organizational well-being. I discovered that workplace happiness wasn’t just a feel-good concept, it had the power to transform businesses. When employees feel valued and fulfilled, they become more productive, engaged, and resilient. That realization became the foundation of Live 13.5, making us the first company in Latin America to focus on workplace happiness.

Our mission is to help companies become both more human and more profitable by prioritizing employee well-being. We offer consulting, leadership training, and team-building programs that focus on people-first management. In 2020, we launched Empresas Más Felices (Happiest Organizations), a certification to measure workplace happiness, helping businesses create meaningful change. We have faced challenges, some companies misunderstood the concept, while others wanted to buy recognition. But instead of backing down, we made happiness assessments more accessible for organizations truly committed to improving employees' lives.

In 2023, we took this mission even further by launching WOHAW, the largest well-being and happiness congress in the Spanish-speaking world. This experiential and disruptive event brings together top experts to share insights on happiness at work. This year, it will take place on October 1st and 2nd in Mexico City. Looking back, what once seemed like a setback turned into my greatest opportunity. Today, Grupo Live continues to grow, helping organizations create thriving workplaces where people feel happy, valued, and inspired. And I truly believe that is the key to lasting success.

Every business leader faces challenges along their journey. What are the major challenges you encounter in your role, and how do you navigate them?

My first challenge was making my business sustainable, especially with a concept like workplace happiness, which was not well understood. I did not listen to doubts or negativity, and stayed focused on my goal and purpose. I also had to manage my emotional intelligence. Hence, I prepared myself in various schools to become a better CEO. This helped me navigate uncertainties and kept my company from failing.

Before the pandemic, many directors did not believe in happiness at work. But post-pandemic, things changed. I built an ecosystem, Live 13.5, Happiest Organizations, and Congress, to create awareness and credibility through scientific support.

What do you consider the most significant milestones in your professional journey so far?

One of the defining moments in my journey was standing in front of CEOs who firmly believed that employees existed solely to work and deliver results. Deep inside, I knew something was off. But instead of letting their skepticism discourage me, I saw it as an opportunity, to find a better way to communicate why employee well-being matters.

The most pivotal milestone, however, was creating Happiest Organizations. Unlike other prominent companies, that evaluate workplace environments, no one was measuring well-being and happiness at work. Considering this, I partnered with scientists in Argentina to develop a tool that could do just that.

Then came 2020, and the world changed. I faced a choice, either cancel the project or prove that companies prioritizing employee happiness thrived even in a crisis. I launched the project called Hero Organizations, now called Happiest Organizations and the response was extraordinary. Employees willingly took pay cuts to protect their colleagues. That moment reinforced what I had always believed, that happiness at work is not just a concept, it is a powerful force for change.

Nancy Martínez, CEO, Grupo Live

Nancy Martínez is the CEO of Grupo Live, a pioneer in helping companies create strategies where well-being and happiness in the workplace are their main competitive advantages. She leads innovative strategies to transform organizational culture, integrating well-being and happiness with productivity. With a passion for helping organizations become more profitable and humane, she assists their employees in progressing and improving their lives.