Latinx In Power

Carl-Phillipe Juste (he/him) is a photojournalist and art space operator with 30+ years of experience. Co-founder/owner of Iris PhotoCollective, IPC Visual Lab, IPC ArtSpace, and IPC ArtStage. Carl specializes in visual storytelling, focusing on human interest, entertainment, science, politics, sports, and documentary photography. 

In this episode, we discussed the artistic journey of Carl Juste. We talked more about his approach to visual storytelling, balancing photojournalism's integrity with his unique perspective as an artist of color.

Janique-ka John (she/her) is a Software Engineer who discovered programming while pursuing her Bachelor's degree at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill and went on to earn a Master's Degree in Applied Computer Science. Janique-ka is also the Founder of the Women in Tech Caribbean Community, where she advocates for greater diversity and inclusion in the tech industry.

In this episode, we'll discuss Janique-ka's upbringing and how she fell in love with computing. We’re going to talk about her motivation for starting the Women in Tech Caribbean Community, and the challenges she faced promoting diversity in the tech industry.

Juan Shishido (he,him) is a Product Manager with a focus on APIs. He has experience in building and scaling large products and improving developer experience. Juan holds a Master's degree in Information Management and Systems from the University of California, Berkeley. Juan is a Product Manager at Tiktok and also a former Tweep which is where we met.

In this episode, we'll discuss building and scaling large products with APIs and improving developer experience. Juan shares insights on his experience as a Senior Product Manager accelerating development speed and improving onboarding and user experience.

Additional Reading Mentioned in the Interview: medium.com/latinxinpower

Pedro Conrade (he/him) is an entrepreneur who believes in the power of technology to simplify decision-making and create a better balance in people's lives. As the founder of Neon, he has been dedicated to building innovative business models that serve the needs of both customers and entrepreneurs. With a passion for social impact, Pedro has been a leading voice in the movement to make financial services more accessible and inclusive for all.

In this episode, Pedro will share his journey as an entrepreneur, from his background and experiences to his insights into the technology industry. Additionally, Pedro will discuss his experience fundraising as a Latino and how he approached it. 

Devon London (he/him) is an accomplished Business Sales professional with a proven track record of success in the telecommunications industry. With his vast experience, he has developed an in-depth understanding of the industry and has consistently delivered outstanding results.

In this episode, we'll discuss Devon’s journey starting from his early days as a Business Sales Executive and eventually transitioning into a Business Sales Manager. He’ll share valuable insights and advice for aspiring managers as well.

Lígia Francisco (she/her) holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Linguistics, as well as a BA in Portuguese language and literature. With fluency in Portuguese, French, Spanish, and English, she has lived in four different countries. Additionally, Ligia is an accomplished visual artist and photographer. Currently, she works as a Web Manager at DocuSign.

In this episode we'll talk more about Ligia's experiences and journey abroad, as well as her proudest achievements, and advice for Latinx individuals seeking their first job in the US. Ligia will also share her perspective on hope and unsolved issues.

Gilda McKenzie (she/her) has honed her expertise in the telecommunications industry for four years, consistently refining her skills in Customer Service, Sales, Telecommunications, and Team Organization. Through her extensive experience, she has acquired a deep understanding of the intricacies of the industry, as well as an unparalleled ability to deliver exceptional results. 

In this episode, Gilda will share her background and how she got started in the telecommunications industry. She will talk about her skills in customer service and how she has developed and refined these skills over time.

Melisa Márquez Rodriguez (she/her) is a highly accomplished Software Engineer Manager with a passion for mobile app development and community engagement. With years of experience in the tech industry, Melisa has established herself as a leading expert in her field. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and works as a Senior Software Engineer at Cash App. 

Melisa's hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. In fact, she was recently featured on the prestigious BBC list of 100 inspirational and innovative women, a testament to her outstanding contributions to the tech industry and beyond.

In this episode, Melisa provided valuable insights into the world of mobile app development and showcased the importance of community involvement and work-life balance.

Axel Ribardiere (he, him) combines skills in both telecommunication and software development. Axel graduated at ECE Paris as a Networks and Telecommunications Engineer and has experience in multiple IT projects which has helped him develop project management skills, adaptability, and good interpersonal skills to work with various stakeholders.

In this episode, we discussed Axel’s background and professional experience of someone who has worked in various roles in IT, including software developer, team leader, project manager, IT consulting company manager, and currently as an IT security officer.

Javiera (sher/her) is a Quest Store Operations Manager at Meta and a well-respected figure in the gaming community. She has a passion for design, art, and video games, and uses her expertise to enhance the lives of game makers and support those trying to break into the industry. Javiera is dedicated to making a positive impact and inspiring others in the field.

In this episode we’ll talk more about the gaming industry and the inspiring journey of Javiera. The episode aims to provide advice for those seeking employment in the gaming industry, whether they are seasoned professionals or just starting out. The show will explore Javiera's personal experiences and offer tips and advice for success in the exciting world of games.

Seth Juarez (he/him) works in the AI Platform group at Microsoft. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from UNLV, with a Minor in Mathematics, and completed his Masters Degree in Computer Science at the University of Utah. Seth's main areas of interest revolve around Artificial Intelligence, specifically in Machine Learning, and Quantum Computing.

In this episode, Seth takes us on a journey through AI and Quantum Computing, sharing insights into his personal experiences. Discover how he fosters creativity in his work and gain inspiration from a memorable project that has shaped his career. 

David Fowler (he/him) is a passionate software engineer who loves diving into new things and cranking out lines of code. He's making waves as a Distinguished Engineer at Microsoft, leading the pack with his exceptional skills. David holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the Florida Institute of Technology.

In that episode, David took us on a journey through his career. He dove into the crucial role of collaboration and teamwork in software engineering, while also providing valuable insights into the future of the industry. Prepare to be inspired as we gained a deeper understanding of David's career path and discovered key skills for software engineers.

Melissa Rodriguez (she/her) is the Founder & Digital Marketing Director at Social Media Relations and the President at Mel Rodriguez, an advertising agency based in LA. She has a bachelor of Science in Corporate Finance and Accounting & Global Perspectives.

In this episode, the focus will be on Melissa's personal journey in digital marketing, as well as her insights and expertise in the field. We’ll learn how Melissa helps businesses identify key performance indicators and generate targeted traffic using digital marketing tactics. 

We had the pleasure of interviewing Sandra Warner (she/her), an accomplished Operations Executive with over 15 years of experience in project management and implementation, particularly in the federal and public sectors.

Sandra shared valuable insights on stakeholder engagement, cross-functional team collaboration, and integrating diversity and inclusion values into project management. As a woman in a male-dominated field, she also discussed the challenges she has faced and offered advice on conflict resolution. 

Prisca Mojica (she/her) was born in Managua, Nicaragua but calls Nashville, Tennessee home. She uses storytelling to educate others about systemic oppression. As a respected speaker, she has shared her stories with college and university students across the USA.

In this episode, we'll discuss Prisca's passion for naming the experiences of first-generation Latina immigrants navigating systemic roadblocks. She sheds light on the ways sexism and systemic racism impede success for women and people of color. Additionally, her theological training enables her to explore the relationship between religious trauma and white supremacy in the United States.

We talked with Rosario Casas (she/her), an entrepreneur with over 7 years of experience in data and technology platforms and over 20 years of executive experience. She is a spatial computing expert, co-founder of XR Americas and BCPartners Tech, and she is also dedicated to promoting women in technology.

In this episode, we'll discuss Rosario’s cultural identity and journey to becoming an entrepreneur in technology. Rosario will share insights on spatial computing systems, failure, team-building, risk-taking, and the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

A Conversation with Maria Gianotti (she/her), Trilingual Leader and Head of Revenue Marketing at WeVideo. Discover the incredible journey of Maria Gianotti, a tricultural leader with a passion for marketing and coaching. 

In this episode, we’ll dive into Maria's path to success, from her higher education in Integrated Marketing Communications to her current role as Head of Revenue Marketing. Along the way, Maria has faced challenges and obstacles, but her dedication and drive have propelled her to the top of her field.

Maria's impact extends far beyond her professional success. Through her volunteer work, she has made it her mission to mentor and coach fellow marketers, empowering them to achieve their goals and reach their full potential. Join us as we explore Maria's inspiring commitment to giving back and learn from her exceptional leadership and marketing expertise.

Sandra Shpilberg (she, her) is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and executive who has made a significant impact in the biopharmaceutical industry. As the co-founder and CEO of Adnexi, she has demonstrated her exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial skills in building a successful healthcare company. In addition, her previous venture, Seeker Health, is a testament to her ability to create and scale successful businesses. Throughout her career, Sandra has been driven by her passion for the healthcare industry and her desire to make a positive impact on people's lives. 

In this episode, we will explore her journey as an entrepreneur and delve into the experiences that led her to focus on healthcare. What sets Sandra apart is her unique approach to business that incorporates her passions for inner discovery and mindset hacking. She believes that achieving success in business requires a healthy mindset, and that by understanding ourselves better, we can unlock our true potential.

We will discuss how Sandra applies these principles to her work at Adnexi, and how she has leveraged her insights to create a successful company culture. We will also explore how she continues to innovate and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry.

We had the privilege of speaking with Koji Pereira (he/him), a highly experienced Chief Design Officer who has led teams at some of the world's most innovative companies, including Neon, Twitter, and Google. Koji's user-centric approach has enabled him to launch products that have scaled to billions of users, while also elevating designers to become strategic thinkers.

During our conversation, Koji shared valuable insights into various design leadership topics. He discussed his approach to scaling up UX teams while simultaneously launching consumer-facing products. Additionally, Koji emphasized the importance of building diverse and inclusive teams to foster innovation and creativity. We also delved into measuring the success of a design project, and Koji shared tips on how to mentor and coach designers on his team to unlock their full potential.

We talked with Gonzalo Peña (he/him), a dynamic storyteller with a talent for innovative leadership. With a diverse background that spans Wall Street, the United Nations, and the Utah Opera, Gonzalo brings a wealth of experience to his work as an Innovation & Leadership specialist. 

In this episode, we'll explore Gonzalo’s strategies for driving growth and achieving goals through strategic storytelling and innovative leadership. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey.

Odalys Jasmine (she/her) is a highly talented Latina storyteller who has made it her mission to write and tell human-centric stories from a diverse and inclusive perspective. Her dedication to sharing the unique experiences of first-gen Latinx and immigrants has led her to create Hella Latin@, a dynamic platform that gives voice to underrepresented communities and promotes cultural understanding.

As Content Strategy Partner for the Americas at TikTok, Odalys continues to leverage her storytelling expertise to drive meaningful engagement and build bridges across cultures. She recognizes the transformative power of storytelling and understands how it can help people to connect with one another, find common ground, and gain a deeper sense of empathy and understanding.

In this episode, Odalys will share her insights on the importance of owning your story and the impact that it can have on your life and the lives of those around you. She will inspire listeners to embrace their unique experiences and perspectives, to share their stories with pride and authenticity, and to use their voices to create positive change in the world.

Noel Claudio (he/him), a highly skilled consultant, boasts extensive experience serving clients from some of the world's leading Fortune 500 companies. With a Bachelor's Degree in Information Sciences and Technology from Penn State University, Noel is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to excel in his current role as Regional Program Manager for LATAM at TikTok.

In this episode, we delve into Noel's unique perspective as a first-generation college graduate and how it has influenced his work. We will also explore his efforts to support minority communities in the tech industry and his role as an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Valerie Angelkos (she/her) immigrated to the United States with her family, armed with a steadfast determination to succeed in the technology and marketing industries. She has since achieved her dream, graduating from the prestigious Chicago Booth, which is ranked among the top 10 MBA programs in the country.

Valerie began her professional journey at Google, where she gained valuable experience before moving on to her current role as Vice President of Product Marketing at Howl. Throughout her career, Valerie has exhibited remarkable perseverance and a willingness to take calculated risks, which has paved the way for her success. She places a high value on the teamwork and support of her loved ones, recognizing that these partnerships have opened up new opportunities for her family.

Jasmine Ortiz (she/her) is  an independent artist that has gone viral. Jasmine was originally born without a voice but her parents knew early that she was destined for a career in music. In this episode we talked more about Jasmine’s journey towards the music industry and also as an advocate for social change.

Catarina Rivera (she/her) is a public speaker and DEI (Diversity & Inclusion) consultant with over 14 years of experience in the public sector. She is the founder of Blindish Latina, a platform smashing disability stigmas through storytelling and advocacy. In this episode we talked more about disability awareness, inclusion, digital inclusion, accessibility, allyship, and advocacy.

Luis Cornejo (he/him) is a natural entertainer who enjoys making others laugh and feel inspired. As a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Luis works tirelessly to support the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. Luis is the founder of PsychoSocial Media, a mental health platform providing mental health articles and resources. He is also an Indigiqueer model who has a deep passion for fashion, visibility, and self-expression. In this episode we’ll talk more about Luis' journey into self expression and mental health.

We talked with two amazing Product Managers part of the nonprofit Mulheres de Produto, Women in Product community in Brazil and also co-writers of their most recent book launch! Aline Baldino is a Product Manager at Super Dispatch, and Talita Morais is a Product Manager at Get In and also the VP and Partnership Director of the nonprofit Mulheres de Produto.

In this episode we talked more about their careers in Product Management and also their work for Women in Product community and their recent launch, the book “Product Management as you have never seen before?”, the first book about Product Management written by women published in Brazil. What a milestone! Fun fact, our host is also a co-writer of this book.

Ish Verduzco (he/him) is a Community Leader at a16z Crypto and also a Web3 Marketing Strategist at IV3 Media. He graduated in Business Management with a minor in Sociology from the University of California, Merced. Ish has consulted 50+ web3 & NFT startups already, toured the U.S. as a DJ, worked at LinkedIn & Snap among other things.

In this episode we talked more about important and trendy things that are happening now like cryptocurrency and web3. Ish shared about his journey as an entrepreneur, author, and advocate of tech/web3.

Alejandra Budar (she/her) started her career working in the healthcare field, but after a quick stint working at a tech company’s clinic and a gap year in Italy, Ale fell in love with the Data Science world. Now she’s a Data Scientist at LinkedIn. Ale leverages her passion for data storytelling, as well as her ability to speak Spanish, French and Italian to excel on international projects and cross-cultural teams. In this episode we talked more about Alejandra's perspective of being a first gen who started working in the healthcare field and pivoted into the Data Science industry.

Karla Aguilar (she/her) is a recent entrepreneur who left her tech job to launch her own body care brand. She's the founder of CLUB PIEL, a genderless and inclusive subscription based body care brand in Latam and in a previous life a senior strategic partnerships and business development manager in tech. In this episode we talked more about Karla’s journey entering corporate tech as a BD (Business Developer) and also leaving tech after many years, doing a sabbatical during the pandemic and launching her body care brand.

Darius Gant (he/him) is a founder at Tesoro AI and a podcast host at the Darius Gant Show. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and a MBA in Finance. Darius inspires people through his journey from a pro athlete to Columbia MBA to private equity investor to tech leader and founder. In this episode we talked more about Darius' journey leaving a top venture capital firm to focus on entrepreneurship in artificial intelligence, and also why and how AI is changing the world.

Pamela Burga (she/her), a Senior D&I, Diversity & Inclusion, Partner at Tesla and leads D&I talent development strategy. Fun fact: Pamela is also a classical trained lyrical soprano. In this episode we talked more about transitioning careers and industries since Pamela has driven individual and organizational performance in a variety of industries. We also talked more about her work as Diversity & Inclusion leader.

We talked with Angel Aviles (sher/her) who boldly decided to pursue her dream of becoming an actress. A Bronx native, moved from New York City to Hollywood and landed roles in projects with up-and-coming directors like Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, and many others. Following her acting career, Angel became an entrepreneur. Today, she's a transformational life coach, a motivational speaker, and an advocate for social justice.

In this episode we discussed mental health. In 2009, Angel suffered from depression, anxiety, and panic attacks, which was when she began her own journey of mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. 

Carolina Acosta is  a Latina entrepreneur from Queens NY with a background in graphic design. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design. Carolina launched a game dedicated to Latinos and she’s making history in the process since the gaming industry is white, cisgender, male-dominated, and often overlooks people of color and women. 

In this episode we talked more about entrepreneurship. This year we have been enjoying learning from other Latinx entrepreneurs. We hope this conversation can inspire other folks that are also thinking about entrepreneurship and don’t know how to start.  

We talked with Majo Molfino (she/her), a Latinx author, designer, and women’s leadership expert. She is the author of Break the Good Girl Myth and host of the HEROINE podcast featuring top female leaders, creatives, and visionaries. She has a master’s in learning, design, and technology from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in cultural studies from McGill University. In this episode we discussed more about Majo’s book, Break the Good Girl Myth, where she explores the five myths we tend to follow which are Rules, Harmony, Logic, Perfection, and Sacrifice. 

We talked with Leandro Senna (he/his), a former Designer Lead at Apple where he worked for 7 years, Senna also has a huge experience in graphic design working for agencies. In the beginning of his career, Senna worked at Volkswagen assembling cars when he was based in São Bernardo, Brazil. In this episode, we’re talking about sabbatical. This is a theme we wanted to bring to this podcast for a while. We feel our community doesn’t talk about it much. Most of the time this is a subject so far away from our reality and also we’re excited to discuss that with Senna.

We talked with Adi Mendiola Barreto (they/them), a second generation Mexican and Puerto Rican, non-binary and trans. Adi is also a speaker, consultant, and activist. They received their BA in Public Relations with a minor in LGBTQ studies. In this episode we’ll be talking more about Adi’s journey, and the core of their work which is helping people align their intentions with their impact in the world.

We talked with Juliana Lisboa (she, her), the Global Strategy and Operations of a Google project called #IamRemarkable, that empowers underrepresented groups to celebrate their achievements in the workplace and beyond. Juliana is a curious Brazilian woman that took an unusual path by working in technology across multiple countries and cultures in the Asia Pacific.  In this episode, we talked to Juliana about this amazing project, the impact of unconscious biases in perceived competence and how we can learn to self promote and advocate for others to drive inclusion. 

Conversation about belonging in tech and finding your voice as a Latinx. This chat is part of She’s Tech conference. She’s Tech is a movement that aims to strengthen the female presence in the technology sector through 3 pillars: inspire, engage, enable women to seek knowledge and undertake careers and technology-based businesses.  Gretchen Rodriguez, a Senior Product Manager at Santander Digital in Palo Alto born in Cuba. Alma Lopes is a Product Owner at Roche who came from Mexico.

How can we create more inclusive environments? Why do we have only 3% of Latinxs working in tech in the United States? How do we know some solutions might be experienced differently by marginalized groups or groups outside your own? Diversity has the goal to bring more people to the table, and decolonizing is more about proposing an exercise to influence the way we think. 

Guidione Machava - Entrepreneur, Designer and Author; Jane Vita - Designer Lead at VTT; and Thaisa Fernandes - Podcast Host & Producer and Program Manager, will explore colonialism's effect on design standards in regards to the influence of ideas perception and also representation in different industries, especially tech.

Luis Curiel currently sits on the People Team managing strategy and operations at Twitter, and also serves as the global co-chair for Twitter Alas, our Latinx business resource group. Luis, a first-generation American, traces his Latinx roots to Honduras. Born and raised in California, he studied biopsychology and worked in agricultural research before making the transition to tech.

In this episode we talked more about how previous skills and experiences can be transferred to tech, the impact Latinxs are making in tech which makes the scenario totally different from 5 years ago but at the same time how we still have a lot of work to do. Luis shared with us his perspective as our @recruiterfriend to those who made it and now have the opportunity to make an impact for others.

We talked with Cynthia Orduña, a career coach and talent development advisor with a background in recruiting, career development, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has helped over 50 startup companies in LA, SF, NY, and Chicago recruit and retain talent and has coached over 300 people in all stages of their career from entry to senior levels. 

She specializes in helping people enter the technology industry, build their business, and create their brand. Her life mission is to amplify as many voices, cultures, and backgrounds as possible by helping people develop themselves personally and professionally. In this episode we talked more about the perspective of someone with the background in recruiting, career development, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

We talked with Lita & Destiny about how they run a business with a mission to empower women and children around the world through the power of intentional play, and more details about their entrepreneurship journey creating ethical and fair trade products. 

Lita Barreda has spent her entire career in the garment industry, pulling inspiration from the places she was raised including Peru, Ecuador & Venezuela. She studied Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). After falling in love with California, Lita stayed in the United States to design clothing and fashion accessories for major retailers. Destiny Conner is a social impact entrepreneur at heart. As a first generation Peruvian, Destiny also studied at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and started her career designing bridal accessories before her entrepreneurial spirit kicked in.

We had an inspiring conversation with an incoming freshman at Pitzer College in California. Diana Vicezar plans to double major in Computer Science and Economics. Elected one of 33 young adults more influential in the world by Global Teen Leader 2019, she advocates for international students and has the goal of sharing opportunities with other minority groups. We talked more about the process of applying to college in the US and also how we can look for more opportunities for international students.

We talked with Nathalie Marchino, as our first guest of 2021, a former professional rugby player born in Colombia who lived in Switzerland and has turned into a great tech business leader. With a BS Finance in International Business, Nathalie is helping to make design accessible as an EMEA Head of Sales at Figma. She has also worked at Google, LinkedIn, and Twitter. We’re always so inspired to hear stories from people who break into tech, and Nathalie shared her story of how she started out as a top athlete and how she broke into tech and is now an EMEA Head of Sales at Figma.

Conversation with Linda Ruiz David, an Industrial Engineer from Mexico City. Linda is currently working as a Principal Recruiter at Growth by Design. She founded and led Pinterest's first Latinx and Hispanic community, Todos Pincluidos. Linda works on creating inclusive, empathetic and fun work cultures. She was also on the Board for Latinas in Tech, worked at IBM, and General Electric among others. In this episode we talked about belonging, finding your place, speaking your truth and how recruiters and candidates can work together to promote diversity.

Senior Director, IT Program Management at Electronic Arts. Cristina Rufeisen is an accomplished IT leader with experience in the high-tech, digital media, and life sciences industries leading global teams to develop, deploy and support business solutions. In this episode we talked about leading IT teams in the game industry, finding your voice and asking for what you need, the power of the Latinx community and the secrets for having self compassion and growing your career. 

Chicago-based Afro-Latina author, playwright, poet, and producer who has performed as an actress and has written, published, and produced short stories, children’s books, indie films, and full-length plays. Diana is a former English teacher, IT sales executive, and fashion entrepreneur. We had an inspiring conversation about her childhood, using the written language and the theater to express herself and find her voice, entrepreneurship, and many laughs.

Conversation with Rosa Parra, a Chicana born and raised in East LA. Rosa became interested in films at a young age and just recently decided to become a film critic. She’s currently working towards her Bachelors's in Film and Media studies. Rosa's primary job aids in the medical field as she's a certified electron microscopist, that means a specialized lab technician and works in a hospital in Los Angeles.

In this episode, we will talk about why we use the word Latinx, the difference between the term Hispanic and Latinx, the Latinxs representation in the film and television industry, and where Latinxs can make an impact.