Growing Through the Ranks
Marta’s career with the CMV Group began more than two decades ago, starting in finance and gradually expanding across different parts of the business. “I started with the CMV Group in 2000 as an Assistant Accountant,” she says. “I’m CPA qualified, and over the years I’ve had the chance to be involved in all parts of the business.”
That experience proved invaluable as the business evolved. When CMI Hino Melbourne became a standalone dealership in 2017, Marta stepped into the Financial Controller role, working closely with then-General Manager Mark Dempsey. Through that experience and learning from his leadership, she gained the insight and confidence to step forward when he retired, applying for the General Manager role.
Leading the business
As General Manager, Marta oversees the overall direction and performance of CMI Hino Melbourne, balancing commercial outcomes with the wellbeing and development of her team.
Her leadership approach centres on creating an environment where people feel supported and motivated to perform at their best.
“Clear communication is a big one - whether it’s guiding the team, working through challenges, or keeping everyone aligned,” Marta reflects. “Emotional intelligence also plays a huge part, especially when it comes to supporting people, reading situations and building a genuinely positive culture. There are always unexpected hurdles, and being able to stay steady, adapt and keep things moving is incredibly important.”
Marta views leadership as a continuous journey, one that requires curiosity, openness, and deliberate reflection, actively seeking out opportunities to learn from others and challenge her perspective: “I’m always looking for ways to learn and grow - whether that’s jumping into a short course, picking up ideas from others, or just having a great chat with someone who sees things differently,” she says. Structured support, such as regular business coaching, also helps her step back and gain perspective: “It gives me space to talk things through, reflect, and get an outside view on situations that can be hard to see clearly when you’re in the middle of them.”
Encouraging more women into the industry
As the first female General Manager within the CMV Group, Marta is passionate about creating opportunities for women in automotive and transport. She believes businesses have a responsibility to make pathways visible, foster inclusive environments, and actively develop talent. “Businesses can encourage more women into automotive and transport by making opportunity visible, creating inclusive environments, developing capability supporting flexibility and holding leaders accountable,” she says.
Reflecting on International Women’s Day 2026 theme, Balance the Scales, Marta considers what equality and inclusion mean in practice. “Balancing the scales, for me, means being deliberate about fairness - how decisions are made, how people are treated, and whose voices are heard,” she explains. “It’s not just about equality on paper; it’s about creating an environment where everyone has a genuine opportunity to contribute, grow, and succeed.”
Drawing on her own experiences breaking new ground in the industry, Marta has a clear message for young women starting out .“Go for it. It’s exciting and dynamic, and we need you to create diversity. Be curious, back yourself early, build capability, seek support and don’t wait for permission to grow.”
Adapting to a changing industry
For dealerships, keeping pace with industry change has become a constant focus - something Marta navigates every day as General Manager. “The industry is changing rapidly, with new competitors entering the market, a growing range of fuel alternatives, and innovation increasingly focused on sustainability and safety ”Marta shares.
Alongside these developments, businesses are also navigating tighter margins, rising cost pressures and ongoing challenges in attracting and retaining skilled diesel technicians. To help address this, CMI Hino Melbourne is investing in the development of its workforce. “We’re offering dual apprenticeships to upskill technicians and build a more flexible, future-ready workforce,” she explains.
Marta believes that while the industry is evolving, certain fundamentals never change. “A successful trucking dealership today is defined by strong fixed operations, disciplined sales execution, deep customer relationships, capable leadership and operational control,” she says. “Those that balance commercial performance with people capability and customer outcomes are best positioned to perform consistently - regardless of market conditions.”
Looking Ahead
Marta’s journey with the CMV Group has been shaped by curiosity, mentorship, and a workplace that supports growth. She credits the environment around her for helping shape that path.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the CMV Group. I’m surrounded by talented people who are generous with their knowledge and always willing to help,” she says.
That culture, combined with her own commitment to creating opportunities for others - particularly women in the industry - has helped Marta foster an inclusive and collaborative workplace. As the business and sector continue to evolve, her approach shows leadership is not just about results, but about people, purpose, and creating an environment where teams can thrive.
