This is part of an ongoing series introducing the leaders, teachers, and staff who make St. Paul a special place.
Marisol Martinez serves as St. Paul’s business manager, bringing 13 years of human resources expertise and a passion for service to her role on the executive leadership team. Since joining St. Paul in February 2024, she’s been working to streamline processes while overseeing the Lion Care Program — all with the goal of making everyone’s time at St. Paul rewarding.
The eldest of six children, Marisol was born in Merced and is a proud big sister to Frank, Merilenne, Jarlin, Aileen, and Nathan. In 2022, she became an auntie to Ezekiah, who attends St. Paul Preschool. “He is the light and joy in our house!” she shares.
After moving away to Groveland during her junior year of high school, Marisol returned to Merced a year later to attend Merced Junior College. She’s lived here ever since.
“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the executive leadership team. Getting to serve is the best way to lead.”
— Marisol Martinez, Business Manager
While attending college, Marisol started working as a recruiter for a staffing agency and discovered her calling.
“Very early on I realized this was what I was meant to do,” she recalls. “The world of HR became my passion.” She continued her education at Stanislaus State until her junior year, when she made the difficult decision to withdraw to continue working full time.
Before coming to St. Paul, Marisol worked for only three other companies, spending 11 of her 13 years of HR experience in the dairy industry. “An industry I knew very little of even though I lived in the Central Valley,” she admits. “Also an industry I fell in love with.”
St. Paul marks her first time working in education. “It has already taught me so much! I am excited to continue to learn and grow within this new industry.”
In her role, Marisol handles equal parts human resources, operations and finance. She’s particularly energized by change. “I love the transition we are in, streamlining our processes is so rewarding!” She’s also excited about overseeing the Lion Care Program, for which she has big goals.
“I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of the executive leadership team. Getting to serve is the best way to lead,” she reflects. “I have learned so much in my time at St. Paul! I want to be a positive change for the school. I feel proud of being a part of the community.”
Marisol’s approach is guided by 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
This verse speaks to her journey, particularly after losing her mobility due to illness. That experience transformed her perspective on movement and accessibility. “Getting to move one’s body is not a chore. It’s a blessing,” she says. “This is also why I am a huge advocate for accessibility for all. The world is not as accessible as it should be — and I want to help be that change.”
Outside of work, Marisol loves to travel and has been fortunate to journey from Hawaii to New York, and internationally to Mexico and Europe. She’s planning a family trip to Tokyo Disneyland in 2027 and hopes to visit Northumbria this year.
In a unique twist, this is the first time Marisol has worked with three of her sisters for the same employer — making St. Paul truly a family affair.
When asked about St. Paul’s greatest strength, Marisol doesn’t hesitate: “Community, for sure. We rally, we come together and we show up for one another.”
