We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Autrina Martindale. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Autrina below.
Alright, Autrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?
One of the most important lessons from my healing journey has been learning that healing does not happen in isolation. For years, I carried responsibilities that often felt too heavy for one person—raising children, navigating trauma, searching for justice, maintaining employment, pursuing education, and continuing to show up for my community. Along the way, I learned that building a team is not a sign of weakness; it is an act of wisdom and survival. Healing required me to identify people who shared my values, respected my lived experiences, and were willing to walk alongside me with compassion and integrity. That team did not always look traditional. It included educators, mentors, faith leaders, advocates, colleagues, community members, and individuals who offered encouragement, expertise, or simply a listening ear when I needed it most. Building a team taught me that sustainable healing is strengthened by relationships, accountability, shared purpose, and collective care. As BUILD REWARD EMPOWER continues to grow, I remain committed to creating spaces where others can find the support, connection, and community that I spent so many years searching for myself. No one should have to carry the weight of healing, advocacy, and transformation alone.
Autrina, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Being a Christian mother and author, (https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Dishes-Rosewall-Story-BRE/dp/1695673883), as I reflect on my journey, I am reminded that there is much to be proud of, not because the road has been easy, but because I continued moving forward when many would have given up. I am proud to be a Christian mother who has remained committed to faith, family, and purpose through some of life’s most difficult challenges. Through seasons of hardship, uncertainty, and ongoing healing, I have worked to create safety, stability, and opportunity for my children while striving to live according to values of compassion, integrity, perseverance, and service.
I am proud to be the mother of two Black female college graduates who have grown into strong, educated, and capable women. Their accomplishments represent years of sacrifice, advocacy, encouragement, and unwavering commitment to ensuring they had opportunities to thrive despite barriers and adversity. Watching them reach milestones that once seemed uncertain remains one of the greatest blessings and achievements of my life.
I am proud to be a published author whose work transforms pain into opportunities for healing and reflection. Through my book, Broken Dishes: By BRE – A Rosewall Story, I found a way to give voice to experiences that are often overlooked and to encourage others navigating their own journeys of reconciliation and resilience. Writing, journaling, and storytelling have served not only as tools for personal healing but also as pathways for connection, understanding, and community dialogue.
I am proud of the professional career I have built over more than twenty-five years as a securities-licensed investment analyst and Registered Representative. Throughout my career, I have helped individuals, families, and organizations navigate budgeting, risk management, asset protection, and long-term financial planning. My work has always been grounded in the belief that financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment and that economic stability contributes directly to personal and community well-being.
I am proud to be the Founder and CEO of BRE Innovative Solutions and the Founder and Executive Director of Build Reward Empower (BRE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing student wellness, social-emotional learning, financial literacy, leadership development, and community resilience. Through these organizations, I have worked to create innovative programs and solutions that support youth, families, educators, and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. www.bre-is.com
I am proud of the initiatives I have launched to improve health, wellness, and community engagement. From empowering women through wellness workshops and founding the Freedom Run Women’s Health and Wellness 5K to developing curriculum, workbooks, and emerging technology solutions, I have consistently sought ways to create meaningful impact. Projects such as the OneHeart Anti-Bullying Software, the 8 Quadrants of Wellness workbook, and My Money Magic reflect my commitment to helping young people and families build healthier, safer, and more connected lives. https://www.bre-is.com/programs
I am proud of my educational accomplishments and lifelong commitment to learning. Earning both a Business Degree in Strategic Communications and an Executive MBA from Washington State University required dedication, perseverance, and a belief that education can be a catalyst for change. These experiences strengthened my ability to bridge strategy, communication, innovation, sustainability, and community engagement in ways that serve both organizations and the people they impact.
I am proud to serve and contribute to efforts that examine systemic disparities and promote equitable solutions in housing, transportation, and regional planning. This work allows me to help amplify community voices and ensure that lived experiences are considered alongside data, policy, and research when shaping the future of our region.
Perhaps most importantly, I am proud that despite experiencing systemic barriers, racial inequities, personal trauma, and ongoing challenges, I have continued to show up for my family, my community, and the causes I believe in. The healing process is still unfolding, and the pursuit of legal accountability and justice remains ongoing. Yet I continue to choose hope, advocacy, faith, and service over bitterness and despair.
My journey is not defined solely by what happened to me. It is defined by how I responded. It is defined by the lives touched through my work, the communities strengthened through collaboration, the opportunities created for others, and the belief that healing, justice, and transformation are possible. For these reasons, I can be proud—not only of what I have accomplished, but of who I have become along the way
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is intentionally building the BRE brand while simultaneously navigating personal healing, advocacy, and community leadership. During a period when many would have stepped away from public service, I remained committed to creating positive opportunities for connection, wellness, and empowerment. Rather than allowing adversity to define our organization’s identity, we focused on building a reputation rooted in trust, service, education, and community engagement.
In 2024, we launched the Community Wellness 5K, known as the Freedom Run, as both a wellness initiative and a community awareness campaign. The event was designed to increase visibility for the now possible BUILD REWARD EMPOWER (BRE) 501c3 as an organization dedicated to supporting women, families, and students of color throughout the Pacific Northwest. As one of a small number of minority-owned organizations operating in our region, we recognized the importance of creating meaningful opportunities for community engagement while addressing critical topics related to women’s health and wellness during a particularly intense and politically charged period.
The Freedom Run became more than a single-day event. It evolved into a six-month community engagement and marketing campaign that included social media outreach, educational messaging, sponsorship development, volunteer engagement, and strategic community partnerships. To ensure accessibility and encourage youth participation, students were invited to participate in the 5K at no cost. This approach allowed us to remove barriers to participation while creating opportunities for families and young people to engage in healthy, community-centered activities.
Through consistent outreach, thoughtful branding, and a commitment to serving others, the Freedom Run helped establish greater awareness of BRE’s mission and values. The campaign strengthened relationships with local businesses, community leaders, sponsors, educators, and families while creating a recognizable platform for conversations around wellness, prevention, resilience, and community support. It also provided our team with an opportunity to align our vision, programs, and services around a shared purpose while expanding our reach to populations that have historically been underserved.
Most importantly, the Freedom Run demonstrated that community trust can be built through action. By showing up consistently, creating inclusive spaces, and investing in the well-being of others, we were able to strengthen BRE’s reputation as an organization committed to improving lives through education, wellness, advocacy, and empowerment. The relationships, partnerships, and visibility generated through this initiative continue to support our long-term mission of creating healthier communities and greater opportunities for future generations.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Make well-being a daily priority by actively checking in on yourself, your family, and your team. Build a supportive community that shares your vision, and foster environments that nurture personal health, purpose, and joy. Invest in longevity by uplifting the people around you just as much as yourself. Daily Reflection: Cultivate self-awareness by tuning into your own physical and mental needs before tending to others. Support positive connections. Build meaningful relationships within community, seek colleagues and peers who align with your goals, and champion your overall wellness. Add vibrance to your immediate environment. Create routine gatherings that foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and shared joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bre-is.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bresolutions
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Freedom-Run-Womens-Wellness-5k/61556786170153/?mibextid=kFxxJD
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oneheartsolutions/
