Meet The Team
After years of working on the front lines of the private staffing and lifestyle management world, our founder Adriana recognized a gap in the industry: a lack of agencies truly led by those with hands-on experience and that genuinely care about both clients and candidates alike. Determined to change that, she joined forces with her long-time friend and colleague María — both seasoned insiders who have navigated every twist and turn of the HNW and UHNW universe.
As the first agency run entirely by former private household and family office professionals with an unparalleled understanding of the industry, Squad sets a new standard of excellence — bridging the gap between expertise and genuine insight.
Adriana Martin
Founder and Director of Staffing & Consulting
Adriana is a seasoned pro with a decade of experience in UHNW private households. Armed with degrees in business, translation, and communication, advanced training in psychology, child psychology, and wellness, and fluency in multiple languages, she’s a true polymath.
Starting her career as a governess in 2014, she swiftly transitioned into high-profile Personal Assistant roles across Russia, Europe, and the US. Her extensive experience managing the lives of top Principals from diverse industries and cultures has sharpened her ability to handle even the most intricate demands.
With a career built on adaptability and discretion, Adriana has worked alongside some of the most demanding and high-achieving individuals in the world. Her deep understanding of luxury service, combined with her sharp organizational skills, allows her to navigate the complexities of private staffing with ease.
Now at the helm of Squad, she leverages her extensive international experience to tackle her clients’ needs worldwide. Her knack for crafting efficient, bespoke solutions with a creative touch makes her the go-to expert for high-end staffing and consulting at Squad.
Maria Alvarez
Partner & Director of Culinary Services
María graduated from the prestigious Les Roches hospitality school and quickly made a name for herself as a private chef to UHNW families. She kicked off her career as the head chef on a megayacht, sailing the globe (working in US, UK, the Caribbean, France and the Philippines) for five years before trading sea legs for solid ground. From there, she cooked up a storm in the homes of high-profile celebrities, A-list Hollywood stars, business magnates, elite athletes and royal families.
María grew up between Seville, Madrid, and Argentina before moving to Antigua. It was at her family’s finca in Seville where she found a safe haven, tending to the garden, caring for animals, and cooking with her granny.
Now, María leads Cru., a health-focused, short-term private chef service where she blends her extensive expertise with nutrigenetic testing to create bespoke menus, executed by her network of elite private chefs. She has also been a partner at Squad since its inception.
Currently working on her first professionally published cookbook, María has also earned international acclaim as a standout competitor on the Spanish edition of MasterChef. With her deep industry insight and extensive network of professionals, María is the go-to for high-end, health-conscious living and eating.
Scarlett May
Admin & Staffing Coordinator
Scarlett brings nearly a decade of experience in private staffing, beginning her career as a governess before carving out a niche as a sought-after private tutor for high-profile individuals and businesses. Through her company, Marbella Private Tutor, she delivers bespoke language lessons to international companies in Costa del Sol, ensuring their high-achieving staff can confidently navigate Spanish-speaking environments. She also provides English instruction to businesses in need and offers both in-person and online lessons to individual clients worldwide.
Staying true to Squad’s identity as the only staffing agency founded and run by former private household staff, Scarlett joins the team bringing a deep understanding of the private sector, an extensive network and her unique ability to connect with high-level professionals, making her a valuable addition to our very own Squad.
Her role extends beyond recruitment—she brings a strategic perspective to business operations, ensuring that both clients and candidates receive a seamless, high-quality experience. With her sharp instincts for talent and dedication to excellence, she strengthens Squad’s mission to redefine elite staffing and consulting with insider expertise.