This month, we are proud to shine our Promotional Spotlight on Miguel Angel Martinez, Intensive Services Program Manager at Penny Lane Centers! Miguel has been part of the Penny Lane family for nearly nine years, building a career rooted in dedication, growth, and a commitment to supporting the children, youth, and families we serve.
Miguel began his Penny Lane journey as a CFS within Intensive Services and has continued to grow through various roles within the program. Along the way, he has expanded his experience, developed his leadership skills, and gained a deeper understanding of the important work his team provides every day.
Now, as Intensive Services Program Manager, Miguel brings years of firsthand experience and knowledge to his leadership role. His journey is a great example of the opportunities for professional growth at Penny Lane and what can happen when hard work, experience, and a willingness to take on new challenges come together.
After nearly nine years with Penny Lane, we are excited to celebrate this next chapter in Miguel’s career and learn more about the person behind the promotion!
A proud UCLA graduate (Go Bruins! 💙💛) and an even prouder Antelope Valley native, Miguel has always maintained a strong connection to the community he calls home. His journey at Penny Lane has been one of growth, perseverance, and a commitment to helping others grow along the way.
When asked what brought him to Penny Lane, Miguel jokingly described it as “a perfect opportunity to get humbled.” Nearly nine years later, that opportunity has grown into a meaningful career dedicated to supporting youth, families, and the staff who serve them.
One of Miguel’s favorite parts of working at Penny Lane is “passing the torch.” Having benefited from the guidance and support of many incredible people throughout his own career, Miguel is passionate about doing the same for the next generation of therapists and staff.
Miguel’s journey to becoming a Program Manager was not necessarily something he planned from the beginning. His lifelong goal had been to become a licensed therapist, and he was happy working directly with clients. It was encouragement from his direct coach to keep his goals in front of him, rather than behind him, that inspired Miguel to take the next step in his career.
Penny Lane played an important role in helping Miguel reach his professional goals. From providing resources to return to school to supporting him as he completed his 3,000 hours and prepared for his licensure exam, Miguel credits the support he received from Penny Lane with making his journey significantly more manageable.
Transitioning from therapist to supervisor has come with its own challenges. Miguel admits that one of the hardest adjustments has been stepping away from being “in the trenches” with his team. He loved—and still loves—being a therapist and “getting my hands dirty” to create change. Over time, however, he has learned that leadership provides an opportunity to create change on a broader level, even if it sometimes looks like “boring office work.”
Outside of work, Miguel is an avid nature lover and hiker. One of his personal goals is to visit all 63 U.S. National Parks. He is currently at 10, leaving 53 more adventures ahead!
Miguel’s love for the Antelope Valley is deeply connected to his motivation to serve his community. He recognizes that the AV sometimes gets a bad reputation, but he chooses to focus on what can grow there. As he puts it: “Flowers still grow in the desert!” That perspective is a fitting reflection of Miguel’s approach to his work, recognizing potential, nurturing growth, and helping people flourish even when circumstances are challenging.
One of the most memorable pieces of advice Miguel received came during a trip to Kyoto. While watching a boat captain allow visitors to try rowing down the river, Miguel quickly discovered that it was much harder than it looked. After taking the reins back, the captain explained that while something may look easy, you really have to “hone your craft.” That lesson has stayed with Miguel. He believes mastery does not come simply from wanting to be good at something. It requires building knowledge, putting that knowledge into action, continuously learning, and committing yourself to the process.
When asked what he appreciates most about Penny Lane, Miguel does not hesitate: his coworkers. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to work alongside incredible people throughout Intensive Services and across different programs. From a quick conversation in the office to being together at 1 a.m. responding to a crisis and still finding a reason to laugh, Miguel says the people he works with make even the most challenging work a little easier.
After nearly nine years at Penny Lane, Miguel remains grateful for the opportunities and people who have helped shape his career, from the 22-year-old who first walked through Penny Lane’s doors to the “old” 30-year-old he is today.
Congratulations, Miguel, on your promotion to Intensive Services Program Manager! Your journey is a wonderful example of the power of growth, perseverance, mentorship, and taking the time to truly “hone your craft.” We are excited to see you continue passing the torch, supporting the next generation of Penny Lane staff, and creating positive change in the community you proudly call home. We’re grateful to have you as part of the Penny Lane family and can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes you!
