Strategic Decision-Making for Start-up Founders, Funders, and Teams

Enhancing Organizational Success through Science-Based Approaches

Effective decision-making and strategic thinking are vital to business success. Yet many organizations approach these processes without grounding them in the science of how systems actually behave in dynamic, complex environments. Complexity science—particularly the anthro-complexity approach—offers a robust framework for making sense of uncertainty and acting more effectively.

Already in use across healthcare, information systems, national security, the financial sector, multilateral organizations, and select start-ups, this perspective is gaining momentum as organizations face rising uncertainty, global interdependence, and market volatility.

From defense to climate tech and innovation policy, complexity science is helping leaders make sense of shifting conditions, navigate ambiguity, and scale adaptive solutions. For entrepreneurs and VCs, it offers a practical lens for spotting emerging patterns, running safe-to-fail experiments, and avoiding costly missteps where linear strategies fall short.

Drawing on two decades of experience with complexity-based tools, Dr. Sandra Martínez will:

• Describe new ways of thinking about leadership and organizations grounded in complexity science
• Explain the fundamentals of a complexity-informed approach to strategy and decision-making
• Discuss its implications for organizations and startups navigating high uncertainty
• Share a practical process for integrating complexity science into real-world decision-making

By strengthening organizational sense-making, leaders can better navigate today’s fast-changing landscape—and foster resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth.

This event will be hybrid held in the Seminar Room at the Lobo Rainforest Building and via Zoom. Parking map

Lunch will be provided!

SANDRA M. MARTÍNEZ, PH.D., PRESIDENT, FÉNIX LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT, LLC

Dr. Sandra M. Martínez began her professional journey as a contemporary art gallerist in Santa Fe, representing artists from the U.S. and Mexico. That experience—far from unrelated—led her to the Santa Fe Institute through a friendship with one of its founders. This early exposure to complexity science later became foundational when she pursued a doctorate in organizational science, management, and leadership development.

Today, Dr. Martínez integrates insights from both complexity science and adult development in her coaching and consulting work. Though now based in Albuquerque, she spent over 25 years as an educator, management consultant, and executive coach across the U.S. and internationally. She has taught and conducted research at the Wharton School and served as Defense Transformation Chair at the U.S. Army War College, where she worked with senior national security leaders. She has also supported civil society efforts in Latin America during times of political instability.

Since returning to New Mexico, Dr. Martínez has continued to work with healthcare systems, global tech companies, national defense organizations, and construction firms. She is now turning more of her focus to supporting start-ups and entrepreneurial ventures—bringing a complexity lens to innovation, strategy, and leadership.

Host or Publisher UNM Rainforest Innovations