Learning Legends - From Data to Decisions
Series: Learning Legends – Real People. Real Stories. Real Learning.
When you meet Martina, you instantly feel her enthusiasm. It’s not just about data or software — it’s about people, learning, and those “aha” moments when everything clicks.
“When you feel useful, recognized, and aligned with what you do, every morning becomes a new opportunity — not a burden.”
That mindset has shaped Martina’s career for almost 30 years as a SAS expert, trainer, and guide for anyone ready to turn data into decisions.
Finding the perfect fit
Teaching runs in Martina’s family. Teaching runs in Martina’s family. She teaches at SAS and at some universities in France. Her father was a high school teacher, her grandmother a schoolteacher, and we have several school principals and educators among our relatives. You could say that pedagogy is truly a family gift.
During her postgraduate internship at the University Hospital of Nice, she helped create a university diploma program and wrote her first SAS programming course.
That’s when she discovered the SAS training center in Vincennes.
“I was deeply inspired by the trainers — passionate, skilled, and truly attentive. When a position as a statistics trainer opened up, I jumped at the opportunity. It just felt like the perfect fit.”
Over the years, she’s been a student, consultant, and even a SAS client herself. She knows firsthand the challenges of managing, cleaning, and modeling data. And now, she uses that experience to help others overcome them.
Turning challenges into motivation
Martina’s biggest challenge is also her biggest motivator: getting people excited about data analysis.
“I adapt my teaching to each person’s needs and skill level — whether in a classroom or through the Adoption department’s programs. The real goal is to make data analysis with SAS a driver of smarter, faster decisions.”
And there’s nothing like that moment when a participant realizes SAS can save them hours of work. “That surprise — that’s my greatest reward.”
A passion for learning — and sharing it
For Martina, learning is second nature. Every new project is an excuse to dive into a course or a certification. She’s happy that lifelong learning has now become a priority for students, professionals, and even retirees.
But she has one warning: “With so many options out there, it’s crucial to choose the right training and the right instructors — to avoid wasting time and truly make progress.”
That’s also why she’s excited about AI in education. She sees it as a brilliant study partner — a tool to challenge and refine thinking, not to replace it. “Our job is to teach clients how to ask the right questions, challenge the AI, refine its answers, and go beyond.”
Teaching the right questions
When asked what she loves most about teaching, Martina smiles. “There’s a song by Orelsan that says, ‘It’s not the end that counts, it’s the quest.’ And coming from a marathon runner, I can tell you—that perspective makes every challenge even more rewarding!”. For her, the real thrill lies in helping customers discover how SAS can simplify their core tasks and unlock hidden insights in their data. It’s a challenge that requires both creativity and dedication—and that’s what makes it really exciting for her.
Her versatility in IT, statistics, and data science means she can give tailored, practical advice that sticks — the kind participants remember long after the course ends.
Stories worth remembering
Martina’s years as a trainer have been filled with unforgettable moments—like meeting her husband during an SAS training. She was the trainer, he was the client, and it was love at first sight. A few months later, they crossed paths at another SAS session, and the rest is history. Today, they share a home, a daughter, and a Labrador.
Another memorable experience was a training with a client from Senegal. During a break, they made a playful bet over an indulgent spread: Martina brought several kilograms of tiramisu, and the client brought several kilograms of Banana doughnuts. “It was such a fun break,” Martina recalls. “We laughed a lot—and ate even more!”
Her advice for SAS learners
“Got creativity? A drive to explore, explain, and predict? SAS is here to meet your needs — and take you even further. Unlock your potential, boost your analytics, and make smarter decisions. Join us and turn your ideas into action!”
If you’re ready to discover the power of SAS with trainers like Martina, explore our in-person SAS training programs and see how far your curiosity can take you.
