Hometown: Tampa
Alma mater: University of South Florida
In her own words: “I wear three hats. I am the president of Angel Consulting Firm, which is a medical-legal consulting firm. I am also the founder and executive director of Emmi Grace’s Angels Foundation. I also have the honor of serving as the education liaison for Cannonball Kids’ cancer.
“I am a highly organized person. I really enjoy compiling the records, organizing them and presenting them in a logical and helpful way. It saves everyone time and money. I also find medical reviews fascinating, as I have the opportunity to learn each day.”
Charitable involvement: “My husband and I co-founded Emmi Grace’s Angels, which provides support services to families who are currently battling kids’ cancers in the Tampa Bay area, raise awareness and fund research. With Cannonball Kids’ cancer, I help to “Educate for Change” and to fund innovative research for less toxic treatments for children with cancer.”
On philanthropy: “My youngest daughter was diagnosed with AT/RT brain cancer in April 2016. She was only 3 months old. Despite all of the treatments we tried, she died in June 2016. Her short life awakened us to the horrors of pediatric cancers. Once we experienced it firsthand, we knew we had to do everything in our power to help. When Emmi Grace died, we had a choice; we could curl up or get up. We chose to get up and to fight on behalf of the children who cannot fight for themselves. When my children are older, I want them to know that we have done everything in our power to honor Emmi Grace and everything in our power to end the pain of kids’ cancers.”
When I’m not in the office, you can find me… “Cooking. My 4-year-old has decided that she wants to help, so dinner preparations take quite a while these days.”
Mentor: “I am surrounded by truly amazing people, my parents, my siblings, and my husband have all been so influential in my life in their own unique ways. But if I have to choose just one, I will have to say my father, Tony Martino. He is kind, generous, boisterous, and loyal. He is a brilliant man who makes anyone he knows feel important. He has a true inner goodness that we should all try to emulate. He taught me, ‘If you do good, forget it; but if you do bad, remember it.” He does the right thing because it is the right thing, not for praise. He learns from his mistakes and does not repeat them. What better character is there?”
Philosophy: “‘Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?’ These are the questions that I ask myself before saying or doing anything. If any of the answers are no, then I must seek a different path. My goals is to make choices that are true, kind and necessary.”
Best piece of advice I’ve ever received: “‘When people show you who they are, believe them.” My dear friend Mary Parker told me this years ago. Most people are truly good; being cynical robs us of the joy we can experience with great people. On the other hand, some people are unkind; what a waste of time to keep trying to convince myself that they are not who they are showing themselves to be.”
Favorite thing about Tampa: “Most of my family lives in Tampa, I grew up here, went to school here and fell in love here. I love that no matter where I go, I will run into someone that I know. While Tampa is growing, to me it still feels like a small town.”
Favorite book: “I love Mitch Albom books. I am currently reading ‘The Next Person You Meet in Heaven.’”
App I can’t live without: “Google Calendar. My inner nerd loves the color coding for family, work and fun events. I rely heavily on reminders to get me where I need to be on time.”
Dream vacation: “I have been lucky to travel quite a bit, but one thing I would love to see that I have yet to is the Northern Lights from Alaska.”
