Five years at The Martin Group: Steve Soroka, Project Director
Congratulations on five years with The Martin Group. What has been your favorite part about working here?
Steve Soroka: A few things stand out. First, no day is ever the same, which keeps things exciting. Second, the people here are truly amazing—everyone is collaborative, supportive, and willing to help. And third, I’ve had the opportunity to work on some very engaging and meaningful projects.
How has your typical workday changed over the past five years?
SS: The shift to a hybrid work environment has been a game-changer, especially as a parent of three. I really value how our executive team continues to support this model. It makes the workday more manageable and productive.
What’s the biggest challenge in your position, and how do you handle these challenges on a weekly basis?
SS: One of the biggest challenges is resource allocation—figuring out who will take on the incoming projects. I actually enjoy this part; it’s like solving a daily puzzle. We use a number of tools to assist, but a lot also comes down to knowing your team well and maintaining strong relationships. That way, when last-minute needs arise, there’s trust and understanding.
Do you have a client project or two that made a memorable impression on you? If so, what were they, and why were they so special?
SS: We recently helped put together a “Health lives here” campaign with Kaleida Health, which involved patients sharing their experiences from the care they received from Kaleida Health. It was a lot of work getting to each shoot day, but it was 100% worth it when you heard the love and passion from each patient when they reflected on the care they received from Kaleida Health.
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Is there an industry development you’re particularly excited about? If so, what is it, and why does it interest you?
SS: I’m especially excited about the new project management tool we recently implemented. It’s truly been transformative, providing greater visibility into all ongoing work and helping the team stay organized and aligned more easily.
You’ve had a few days off in your five years here. What would your ideal day off look like, wake up to bedtime?
SS: I wake up every morning very early, with no alarm clock, so my day would start early. It would be great to have some time with my wife and kids before heading to a movie by myself. (Yes: I love going to the movies by myself.) Being able to watch one of my kiddos play in one of their various sports before calling it a day would complete an ideal day off.
Finally, if you met someone who hoped to find success in a position like yours, what’s the one piece of critical advice you’d offer to them?
SS: I’d advise them to get comfortable with setting boundaries—especially learning when to say no. Earlier in my career, I thought saying yes to everything made me more valuable, but I quickly realized it can lead to burnout. Delivering great work means knowing your limits. Fortunately, The Martin Group fosters a team-oriented environment where it’s okay to ask for help when needed.
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