2017 Women in Professional Services: Vivian Martinez of Marks Paneth LLP

Name: Vivian Martinez, CPA

Title: Partner, Real Estate Group

Company Name: Marks Paneth LLP

Years in real estate: 17

What real estate associations or organizations are you a member of? Asian Real Estate Professional Association (AREPA); Long Island Real Estate Group (LIREG); Association of Women Accountants in Real Estate Co-Chair, Real Estate Committee, Nassau Chapter of the New York State Society of CPAs

How have you navigated obstacles to achieve success in your career? Breaking into any professional industry, especially one as male-dominated as accounting and tax, will bring its own unique set of obstacles. For me, I found it was essential to face my challenges head-on, be willing to put in the long hours and hard work expected of me, and continually embrace the passion and dedication that brought me down this career path in the first place. In addition, I was very fortunate at Marks Paneth to have partners and mentors come alongside me and open so many doors to knowledge, experience and professional development over the past 16 years.

How do you play your strengths to your advantage in your career? Emigrating to the U.S. from China as a teenager, I learned early on the importance of being adaptable and forward-thinking. I focused on developing strong communication and interpersonal skills as I learned this new language and way of life. These are skills that continue to serve me well in my diverse, client-facing role as a real estate CPA. Furthermore, I’ve been able to use this experience and heritage to the advantage of my career and clients, applying my knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language and culture to my position on the Marks Paneth China Desk.

What trends are you seeing so far this year? In New York City, we are seeing real estate deals becoming increasingly more complex and lengthy, due in part to the investment capital growth across borders, uptick in contingency clauses and environmental concerns. In addition, less regulated, private funds are playing an increasingly significant role in the NYC commercial real estate market, fueled by buyout firms, real estate investment trusts and hedge funds loosening their lending restrictions.

What do you do for fun? When not crunching numbers and helping my clients succeed, I enjoy traveling, exploring new cultures and visiting historical sites.