Meet Roberto “Tito” Martinez: Director of Springfield
Roberto "Tito" Martinez, Union Capital’s Director of Springfield, has a deep-rooted passion for community and the power of social capital. Born and raised in Springfield, Tito is a proud Puerto Rican who also spent four years living in Puerto Rico, where he completed high school. From a young age, Tito was inspired by his father, a long-time business owner in Springfield who worked closely with the local community. Therefore, Tito learned the importance of hard work and community engagement while working for his father’s business early on in life.
At just 13, Tito experienced a life-changing moment when his mother tragically passed away in a car accident.
In the wake of this loss, the love and support from the community—through flowers and gifts left at their home and business—opened his eyes to the power of social capital. Tito recalls this as the moment he truly understood how crucial community connections are, saying:
"We need more of this. We need more people to be engaged and connected because you never know what people are going through. If you don't feel connected to something bigger, it can be really tough."
This experience motivated Tito to give back to the community in any way he could. Eight years ago, he and a group of friends organized an initiative to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, further strengthening his commitment to helping others. Tito later worked in sales and marketing but always remained focused on giving back. In May 2022, he joined Union Capital after partnering with Eric for a program. This partnership deepened his involvement with Union Capital, and it was decided that Union Capital Boston would expand to Springfield. Union Capital Springfield officially launched on September 30, 2023.
Since its launch, Union Capital Springfield has welcomed 1,200 members and rewarded over $30,000 in Visa gift cards since January 2024. Tito is responsible for hosting Network Nights each month while also organizing various events with local partners. He and his team actively participate in larger community events, helping with troubleshooting and signing up new members. Tito works closely with Network Coordinators to ensure that members receive the resources and support they need to thrive.
Tito believes strongly in the value of social capital and connection. Union Capital has not only benefited him personally but also allowed him to embrace his potential and help others do the same. Reflecting on his journey, Tito shares:
"I always knew I had big potential, and UC helped me to embrace my strengths and spread my wings."
His dedication to building connections and fostering social capital continues to inspire him as he helps others do the same.
Join us in celebrating Tito’s work by attending one of Union Capital Springfield’s upcoming events and see how you can get involved in building your own social capital!