Marie Batz Martin, Esq., has forged a formidable presence as chief compliance officer at Coherent Corp., a worldwide semiconductor manufacturing company. Ms. Martin contributes to the company’s growth and strength from its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania office, where she manages a global team across multiple regions, overseeing operational work while providing leadership direction and guidance on building compliance programs. Reporting to the firm’s C-suite and board, Ms. Martin synthesizes information and ensures effective communication throughout the organizational hierarchy. Previously, she was the company’s general counsel for global compliance.
Ms. Martin’s career began more than 25 years ago as a financial analyst at Goldman Sachs & Co. in New York. She later transitioned into law, earning a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University with honors in 2007. Her legal career took root at Arconic (formerly Alcoa Inc.) in Pittsburgh, practicing from 2006 to 2018. During her long tenure there, she rose from a junior lawyer to general counsel of several billion-dollar business units, gaining respect and expertise in global mergers and acquisitions.
Bolstered by her background in the financial sector, in 2018, Ms. Martin joined Dentons Cohen & Grigsby as a shareholder specializing in corporate mergers and acquisitions until 2020. Her leadership skills were honed further between 2020 and 2023 at FlightSafety International in Columbus, Ohio, rising to executive vice president after stints as general counsel, corporate secretary of ethics, and compliance and privacy officer. Her roles at FlightSafety International marked significant milestones in her career as she navigated complex legal landscapes.
Possessing a robust and diverse academic foundation, Ms. Martin holds a Master of International Affairs in international finance from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, graduating with honors. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame, earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics and Spanish with honors. Moreover, Ms. Martin has completed executive education programs such as Finance for Senior Executives at Harvard Business School Executive Education and the Investment Banking Client Training Program at Morgan Stanley.
Ms. Martin’s commitment to professional development extends beyond her career achievements. She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has been involved with various civic organizations. Further, she is an incoming board member for the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and serves as an executive sponsor for Coherent Corp.’s new women’s affinity group and women in leadership program. Previously, she was a board member for Allies for Children in Pittsburgh.
Looking ahead, Ms. Martin aims to advance her executive leadership career by becoming a chief legal officer or chief operating officer for major publicly traded companies, inspired by women who have successfully segued into such roles. Her long-term vision includes consulting and executive coaching for women in legal and leadership roles—a path influenced by her own experiences with mentorship from a former chief legal and compliance officer turned executive coach. She hopes to offer similar guidance to future generations of women leaders while also considering board membership opportunities with women’s shelters or community development groups in Pittsburgh.
On more personal levels, Ms. Martin finds fulfillment in traveling, cooking, reading, and spending quality time with her family. She also harbors an interest in pickleball and plans to explore it further.