NWA Women in Business: Martine Downs Pollard

Age: 42

Residence: Rogers

Education: B.S., English, University of Central Arkansas

Professional background: Pollard joined Mercy a few years ago to develop an integrated public relations and community outreach initiative. Before that, she was senior vice president of government affairs for the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce. Before moving to Northwest Arkansas in 2006, she was a congressional staffer for U.S. Sen Mark Pryor. Pollard started her career in municipal government, where she served in the city of Conway mayor’s office.

What are the attributes of a good leader? “Focus on being present, keen communication skills, strategic thinking, positive attitude and integrity.”

What do you want Mercy Northwest Arkansas to accomplish in the next year? “We are spending an in-depth amount of time working on our community needs assessment and identifying gaps in health care service and delivery. We’re close to finalizing a community presence plan that I am hopeful will come to fruition. If it does, it will be an exciting time for us and the community.”

Have you had to deal with gender bias in your career? If so, how did you handle it? “Certainly. I expect most women have experienced some degree of gender bias in their careers. However, if you’re consistent in whom you are, you have a strong work ethic, [and you] assure your contribution to your organization is received and that you’re demonstrating the value of your work, any gender bias can be overcome.”

What advice would you give a younger version of yourself, just starting your career? Would you do anything differently? “Trust your intuition and don’t spend too much time worrying about your first job. Just get one, get some quality experience, keep learning, soak it in and see where it takes you. As my path has led me where I am today, I probably would not have done anything differently.”

What drives you to succeed? “It’s a bit cliché but making a difference is what drives me. I’d rather make a difference than just have a job or make a living. Whether it’s in someone’s life or career path, within the organization you work or in the community and the people we serve.”

What or who has been your greatest influence in your career and why? “As the first congressional staffer the NWA Council invited to attend their meetings regularly, I started developing relationships with leaders that forever influenced me. My career segued into lobbying and being a voice for them and the NWA region. Uvalde Lindsey and Scott Van Laningham, without hesitation, became great mentors. Others included Susan Barrett, Mike Malone, Jay Allen, Raymond Burns, Dick Barclay … the list could go on.”

If you were going to write an autobiography, what would it be titled? “Moving the Dial.”

What do you do to unwind/for fun? “Having young children, unwinding opportunities aren’t always frequent but I do try to workout at least two to three times a week. I also play golf. And I am thankful to have some great friends that are always up for a good laugh and just [to] be there for one another, no matter what.”

What motivated you to choose the field you’re in? “Motivations in my career include effective communication strategies and strategic thought and planning to improve the overall quality of life in our communities. It’s a consistent thread in my life. I’m constantly thinking about what and how we can contribute to improve our community.”

Was there ever a time when you considered doing something else? “Short of being an architect and/or a singer out of high school, the career path I’ve chosen is right where I want to be. I’ve been blessed to be in a career that’s exposed me to so many different people, experiences and learnings.”            

How have attitudes changed about women in the workplace from the time you started out until now? Or, has there even been a change? “I am thankful for the women before me who helped pave the way for women pursuing careers. I hope to do the same for the women who follow me. I am thankful that attitudes had already started significantly evolving when I entered into the workforce. I’ve also had great employers that weren’t concerned about gender. They just want the best qualified and effective people on their team. “

Best mentor? “Randy Massanelli, my former boss and U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor’s state director. In the senator’s office, it was always about putting Arkansas first and doing the right thing for our state and all Arkansas’ constituents, regardless of party affiliation and stature. He led and mentored to be compassionate, pioneering, disciplined and fair.”

What’s one surprising or interesting fact about you? “I was born in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Germany. It is the largest United States military hospital outside of the U.S. I lived about half of my childhood in Europe and [in] Great Britain and then refined my American southern charm and influence by living the other half of my childhood in Little Rock, Arkansas. European girl meets the South … It’s influenced and molded me to who I am today.”