Paving The Way For Latinas in Software Engineering With Catalina Laverde
Catalina Laverde is a 27-year-old Senior Software Engineer at Spotify. Originally from Bogotá, Colombia, Catalina moved to the United States in 2010 in pursuit of the American dream. Before transitioning into a career in software engineering, Catalina’s biggest role model has always been her mother whom has helped shape her journey. Observing her mother relentlessly working everyday of the week, this Leading Latina learned the value of hard work, education, and discipline at a young age. “This has shaped almost every aspect of my life. I don’t come from the traditional tech background… one month before my high school graduation I decided to pursue engineering out of the blue,” said Catalina. She enjoys discussing her story to create awareness for women in technology. I tell my story quite often to let women and minorities know that you don’t need to be playing with computers your entire life to have a successful career in technology. Upon completion of her Computer Science degree at Rutgers University, Catalina joined Spotify in New York City as one of their first female Software Engineers in the U.S. Catalina walked into her first engineering job with a feeling of loneliness when she noticed the lack of representation in her work place. As a recent college graduate, everyone else around her had at least 5 years of experience. Although the realization of being the only girl and Latina on the team accumulated overtime, it still felt isolating for Catalina. “I overcame the challenge by first learning to be comfortable being uncomfortable, seeing it as an opportunity instead of a disadvantage and by creating a community for my culture the moment I had the chance,” stated Catalina. This Leading Latina was able to accept her feelings of reclusion, and found a way to open the doors for many other Latinos to feel represented as well. Catalina Laverde learned how to speak up for herself when she had noticed other Latinas experiencing the same levels of lack of representation, stating, “I started attending women in tech events and I realized I wasn’t alone in this. That’s the power of storytelling, that is why it is important to share our stories.” During her tenure, she has worked on designing, building and scaling the ad platform infrastructure, project managed Spotify’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance efforts to protect listeners’ personal data and helped build marketing systems that power Spotify’s user conversion. Her most recent efforts include improving the recommendation experience on the Home screen of the Spotify app and consolidating its delivery for both free and premium users. Alongside her engineering endeavors, she pioneered Spotify’s Latinx Employee Resource Group, looking to create a sense of belonging within the company. Through external events and diverse conferences, Catalina is helping to ensure a more inclusive recruiting pipeline in the field. It was Catalina’s passion for diversity, inclusion, and empowering women that prompted her to pioneer Spotify’s first Employee Resource Groups (“ERG”) in 2015, creating a safe space for discussion and a sense of belonging among underrepresented minorities in the tech industry. The ERG initiative was adopted companywide and she currently co-leads Spotify’s Latinx ERG with over 100 members worldwide. There have been many great accomplishments with the Latinx ERG Initiative. One of Catalina’s biggest wins was ensuring that every Latinx hire develops a sense of belonging in the company. She’s proud and delighted of the infrastructure everyone has in place to make sure no latinx newcomer feels that lack of belonging similar to her experience in the beginning of her career. “This all wouldn’t be possible without our ERG and incredibly engaged community,” said Catalina. As a response to the United States’ political climate, Catalina also co-founded Civic Action Network in 2017, a nonpartisan civic engagement platform looking to bridge the gap between Congress and constituents. CAN, which is fully available in Spanish in addition to English, summarizes federal legislation, allows users to vote and contacts elected officials on their behalf. CAN currently calls 96% of Congressional offices in all 50 states. This year as a Leading Latina of 2019, Catalina discusses the importance of female empowerment as we continue to support our latin community and make an impact. “Female empowerment is about removing societal constraints placed on women and allowing them to pursue their own individual dreams on equal ground,” explained Catalina. By sharing our bicultural experiences with other Latinos, we continue to empower others to do the same. Sharing our experiences is really the only way to generate inclusiveness, open hearts, and expand minds. Catalina’s advice for Latinas aspiring to become leading women in technology is to absolutely make your path in the field! There is a place for everyone in software engineering. “Pursuing engineering as a Latina has given me more than problems to solve, it has filled me with pride and a new sense of social responsibility towards my gender and my community,” said Catalina. Being bilingual as well as bicultural has helped this leading latina embrace who she is in ways she would have never expected. As an immigrant, she has spent a great deal of time trying to bridge the gap between her two cultures, Colombia’s commitment towards family and community, and the United States’ individual, ambitious mindset. “I’ve realized that wearing my heritage as a badge of honor serves a higher purpose. Consider joining the movement and let’s pave the road for future latinas in tech,” expressed Catalina. When Catalina isn’t hard at work, she enjoys traveling which keeps her centered and humble when engaging with different cultures. Catalina also enjoys exercising to energize her days, and reading Psychology books. Dancing keeps her connected to her culture which fills her heart with joy. Connect with by Catalina Instagram: @catalinaonpoint Facebook: Facebook.com/catalinaonpoint Twitter: @Catalinaonpoint Website: www.catalinaonpoint.com
Elevating Minority and Veteran Owned Small Businesses With ‘We Keep Thinking’ Founder Cecilia Burgos
Cecilia Burgos is a leading latina of many talents. Born in Honduras and raised in New Jersey, Cecilia Burgos’ passion for food and the community has played a significant role in her journey. After graduating high school, Ceci pursued a career in the United States Navy where she served as a photographer, documenting missions in iraq for eight years while performing other duties on base. Upon completing her military service, Burgos began a career in marketing, running campaigns for airlines, sports teams, and elite athletes. After almost a decade in marketing, Ceci, being a creative problem-solver by nature, realized her desire to expand her scope and branch out into public relations and creative services. While attending New York University, a course on community and culture awakened a new passion for Cecilia. Promoting lesser-known cuisines in the Latin culture would forge her new path into a world where food has the unique ability to unite a diverse group of people. In 2018, Cecilia launched We Keep Thinking, a full-service creative agency conceived to elevate minority and veteran owned small businesses. While her client list is mostly based in the Bronx, this Leading Latina continues her effort to gain greater media representation and awareness to the troves of culture located in New York City’s outer boroughs. Cecilia’s passion for helping marginalized people succeed is demonstrated through her hard work and commitment in the community. In the short time We Keep Thinking has been in business, Cecilia has elevated her clients’ just-opened and mainstay businesses with English and Spanish language features in The New York Times, NBC’s New York Live, Thrillist, Eater, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Telemundo, Univision as well as many other national and international outlets. Another one of Cecilia’s proudest achievements was being named a Trailblazing Latina by Forbes Magazine for the work she has done for Latino-owned small businesses. As a Leading Latina of 2019, Cecilia hopes to bring attention to the lack of representation the media has for the Latina community. “Only 3% of media coverage is on Latinos and I’m here to change that,” stated Cecilia. As a Latina entrepreneur, Cecilia’s advice to other Latinas hoping to become their own boss one day would be to network as much as you can! While networking can be intimidating for most at first, she admits that it has opened up many doors for her own business. “You’ll be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a helping hand,” expressed Cecilia. Cecilia cites her mother as her inspiration in life stating, “she came here with nothing and managed to raise three kids, in a country where she did not know the language, she faced so many obstacles but she overcame them. All this while working a low paying job.” During her spare time, she enjoys traveling and photography. To learn more about Cecilia Burgos’ creative agency visit her website below http://www.wktnyc.com
Exploring Cultural Heritage in Fashion with Encargos y Envios Founder Joshe Ordonez
Joshe Ordonez is an Entrepreneur and Creative Strategist with expertise in fashion and culture. She focuses on the combination of cultural heritage and contemporary art and design in order to preserve and promote techniques and practices from ethnic minority communities. Born and raised in Cuenca, Ecuador, Joshed Ordonez found inspiration in her family where she was able to absorb her passion for fashion, social impact through creating and building, as well as kindness. Today, Joshe’s passion continues to grow through new and inspirational connections. Now that my sister and brother are grown-ups they became a constant source of inspiration for their strength and motivation. Before incorporating her passion for fashion into her own entrepreneurial journey and career, Joshe faced some challenges in the process. “The hardest thing for me has been trying to get people to listen. With so much noise in the world, it is hard to have a voice,” stated Joshe. To overcome those obstacles, this inspiring Leading Latina continues to focus on building her confidence as well as demonstrating that fear will not keep her from speaking up or becoming the successful businesswoman she aspires to work towards everyday. Her work today, now manifests in a variety of mediums including photography, video, design projects, garments, visual arts, workshops, and symposia. Her work has been published in local and international magazines, newspapers and blogs. Ordonez has won several awards and recognitions such as XPOTEX, A National Fashion Design Competition in Ecuador for two consecutive years. One of Joshe’s proudest works is her thesis, Ikat – Ancient Technique, prior to receiving her degree in Fashion Design, which took a lot of research and practical work to complete. During her thesis, Joshe traveled to an artisan community far from where she lived in Ecuador. She enjoyed the approach of the project where both the artisan and herself used one another’s skills to fulfill their own capabilities in co-creating something magical. “I learned a lot about my culture and the importance of ancient techniques in the story and development of a nation. This experience has shaped my approach to creative collaborations and leadership,” expressed Joshe. In 2017 Ordonez was invited to the United Nations as a panel during the 55th Commission for Social Development to talk about sustainable and social development in the fashion Industry. Joshe cited this opportunity as being that moment where she was finally heard. She was able to express the importance of cultural heritage in fashion, and how artisans have the wisdom to create techniques or materials which can help the fashion industry become less damaging to the environment.These processes can still generate income for emerging communities. Joshe also explored some myths about sustainable fashion and the steps we can take to reduce our footprint, such as buying less and becoming educated consumers. When I had the opportunity to speak at the United Nations Panel I felt that finally I have a voice and people are taking my ideas and opinions seriously. I felt that the hard work was worth it. Ordonez is a graduate of the Design Management Master program at Pratt Institute (2018) and received grants to execute her projects from Pratt in 2016 and 2017. One of those projects is Loop Fairtrade, a digital platform that connects Ecuadorian artisans with global designers to co-create ethical products. In 2018, Ordonez launched the first Toquilla Straw workshop ever made in the U.S.A and was part of the Tek-Tiles Team, a project of the BFDA that focused on integrating technology into smart garments and functional textiles. This year as one of our nominated Leading Latinas of 2019, Joshe’s biggest advice to aspiring Latina entrepreneurs is to take risks. “Try to fight your fears and go for what you want, your dreams won’t fall from the sky, you have to work for them,” expressed Joshe. After all, in her best words, nothing great has ever happened without risks. Her goal for this year’s campaign is to bring more talented Latinas into the network and encourage everyone to support each other in their collaborations. I am really excited about encouraging Latinos and Ecuadorians to be proud of their roots, we have a lot of great things to be inspired about. Currently, she is the Founder and CEO of Encargos y Envios, a peer to peer international delivery platform that helps travelers earn extra income by delivering products to shoppers abroad. When Joshe is not hard at work, she loves to read success stories about Latinos and Latinas. She believes in the importance of staying inspired, and keeping the momentum strong. To read more about Joshe Ordonez’ work, visit her personal and professional website below: https://www.josheordonez.com/ https://www.encargosyenvios.com/
Helping Women Find Fulfillment and Happiness with Viva La Forty Founder Omayra Jimenez
Omayra Perez-Jimenez is a woman of the people, always looking to inspire positive change in others. Her career demonstrates the immense compassion this Leading Latina holds in her heart for helping others. At the age of 19 years old, Omayra returned to the United States after spending most of her childhood in Puerto Rico. Although the language barrier was a challenge, she was determined to achieve a better future for herself and it was her strong desire to rise above every obstacle that gave her courage. Omayra studied at Katherine Gibbs School and later attained an English degree from Hunter College. In 2016, Omayra founded the digital platform VIVA LA FORTY with the purpose of inspiring and empowering women 40 years and older. She works with organizations that support women who have been victims of domestic violence and holds workshops on motivation, growth and entrepreneurship. Through her work with VIVA LA FORTY, Omayra’s main objective is to keep inspiring change and generate positivity in the lives of women. Sharing her story with others allows her to show it is possible to overcome ones traumas and live a truly fulfilled life. Age is nothing but a number, and should in no way impede your aspirations. Aside from supporting the women in her community through her digital platform, Omayra also works as a professional translator at a prestigious law firm in New York City. She is able to continue her journey in helping others by using her bilingual expertise to assist minorities, and also does pro bono work to help immigrants feel safe navigating the complex legal system. Omayra is currently in progress of obtaining international certification in Professional Transformational Coaching. This journey will give this Leading Latina the opportunity to one day become a life coach as well as a motivational speaker. She will continue to empower women in need of support while pursuing their goals and finding purpose in their lives. As a Leading Latina of 2019, Omayra Perez-Jimenez is ready to connect and collaborate with other women in our community also looking to inspire others with their stories of perseverance, and determination. She has two beautiful daughters who have been her strongest source of encouragement. Omayra cites her mother as her biggest inspiration and hero as well. Omayra Jimenez’ vision is clear: to better herself, put her teachings into action, and motivate others to join her journey. She values authenticity, humbleness, all while showing that no matter what the circumstances may be in your life, you have the power to achieve all of your dreams. As long as you live in relentless pursuit of them, the universe will reward you with a positive outcome. Omayra Jimenez wants women who have been victims of domestic abuse to be able to face their fears every day, and overcome their obstacles. The most beautiful and rewarding thing is to use our talents to help others. That is where genuine happiness dwells. Connect with Omayra @vivalaforty
Helping Others Live Their Best Lives Through Transformational Guidance and Inspiration with Cindy Bautista-Thomas
Cindy Bautista-Thomas is an innovative visionary committed to helping others tap into their hidden potential, discover their God given gifts, and help them take inspired action towards creating the life they’ve always envisioned. A licensed clinical social worker, PhD candidate in Urban Education, and a master facilitator in personal and professional development, Cindy is enthusiastic about connecting with people and supporting them in their transformation process to live their best lives. Before becoming a licensed clinical social worker, Cindy was inspired by her own mother’s determined and entrepreneurial attitude. “She raised five children in the projects of the Bronx… she did not allow her circumstances to define her and her children,” stated Cindy. Her mother encouraged them and was a provider, making sure her children had fun while also giving them a private school education. My mom significantly augmented the family income by being an entrepreneur herself, selling clothes and linen from my brother’s bedroom. That side hustle helped pay tuition, buy what we need as well as help support family in the Dominican Republic. At the start of her career, one of the many challenges Cindy faced as a social worker was her age. Being the youngest in her class and job resulted in feelings of discrimination from her colleagues. “People felt I didn’t belong there or did not know enough to be there… I overcame that fear with confidence and demonstrating that through my craft,” expressed Cindy. She worked hard by being helpful to those who even doubted her skillset. Cindy Bautista-Thomas’ determination is what showed her colleagues she was adept at being a successful social worker. As an entrepreneur, there is always that lingering fear of not spending enough time with her family. Cindy does her best to tend to the many roles that she has, although she admits it can be a bit of a struggle. Planning and executing everything in her schedule helps her manage her time and overcome the struggle she faces as a business woman as well. In her current role as Associate Director of Field Education at the Columbia University School of Social Work she uses her teaching and leadership experience to teach field instruction seminars, coordinate internship opportunities and organize social work conferences. Additionally, Cindy has spearheaded all aspects of the field education program and uses her collaborative leadership style to oversee and manage multiple projects of the Field Education Department. Whether through her work as an educator, conducting personal development workshops, or individual coaching sessions, Cindy uses her professional training and personal experiences, to provide services that aid individuals to create a balanced and fulfilled life. Be it overcoming fears and limiting beliefs, unearthing hidden strengths and talents, or helping with goal setting, Cindy works with individuals to integrate sustainable change not only in what they do, but in who they are becoming. In 2017, Cindy decided to leverage her leadership, interpersonal, and coaching skills and co-founded Velocity Visions, a personal development agency, whose mission is to provide transformational guidance to individuals, groups, and corporations through wellness activities, workshops, and interactive exercises that enhance personal and professional efficacy. With her bigger than life personality, warm smile, and innate ability to help others feel comfortable, Cindy is using her God given talents to help others find theirs. Her strong presence, passion, and professionalism makes Cindy one of the premiere transformation coaches in the industry. As a Velocity Visions, Inc. coach, Cindy has many memorable experiences everyday where she is able to inspire and positively impact those around her. “I was co-facilitating a one day workshop titled, ‘Re-igniting the Passion: Invigorating the Relationship with Self-Care to Prevent Compassion Fatigue’… one social worker came up to me during the break and revealed that one of the exercises impacted her so much she decided to call her daughter and apologize about a falling out they had,” said Cindy. The exercises she was facilitating that day changed her client’s perspective and life. By the end of the workshop the attendee had reconciled with her daughter and was meeting her for dinner after the workshop. The testimony was a reminder to me of how my gifts make room for others to have transformation and to feel impact. Cindy Bautista-Thomas was nominated this year as a Leading Latina for Latinas En New York. Her advice to other Latina’s who are aspiring to become leaders in their careers and personal lives is to reach out to those who are already doing what you aspire to do. “Ask to spend time with them to learn from their journey, always being mindful of what you can offer in return,” said Cindy. Speaking from her own personal experience, approaching those encounters with a win/win mindset is important. Her goal as a Leading Latina for 2019 is to connect and collaborate with other Leading Latinas. She is looking to further empower our community and promote Latinas En New York’s message of inspiration for all Latina’s. When she’s not transforming lives, Cindy spends her time with her family and pursuing her creative passion of writing. To learn more about Cindy and the work she does with Velocity Visions visit the website at http://www.velocityvisionsinc.com.
Actress and Producer Zulaika Velazquez’ Story of Resilience and Empowerment
Zulaika Velazquez’ biggest inspiration has always been her family. Both her parents were immigrants and worked through the most difficult challenges together. Resilience was learned at a young age for Zulaika, overcoming the toughest of experiences with her family while also building a strong character. It’s no surprise to say that “giving up” was not in this Leading Latina’s vocabulary. As a two time TONY nominee in Excellence in Theatre Education, the arts remains to be Zulaika’s passion and future as she continues to demonstrate that women can also shine through leadership in directing and producing musicals. At the beginning of her acting career, growing up in the entertainment industry was difficult. “I looked white and not your ‘typical’ Latina. I was asked to drop weight because of my curves. It wasn’t till JLo came around which really changed the game in the industry.” When Velazquez started attending Juilliard, people were a lot harsher in regards to her background and talent as an Opera singer from the South Bronx. Then, when she began directing and producing musicals as well as Theatre off Broadway, Zulaika started feeling the “cold wave” in a heavily male dominated industry. I had men tell me, they weren’t taking orders from a woman… Then of course there is the stigma that women are considered “Bitches” for being tough and speaking their minds, doing exactly the same thing as men do… But I remind them, that if they assume their little complaints will break me, then they really have never met a superlatina woman before. Despite these challenges, Zulaika continued to thrive and move forward with her acting career. She is currently the Artistic Director of The George Washington Educational Campus and has developed the Performing Arts and Film Divisions. Zulaika also studied music and opera at The Juilliard School and The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts with Thelma Ithier, where she travelled internationally as a vocalist. One of the many other achievements Zulaika has received was being selected as the director of the theatrical production “In The Heights” by Warner Bros Pictures and producers in 2019, as a way to announce the film. Zulaika has not only worked as a performer and director for multiple productions, she’s also worked as the Industry & VIP Liaison Manager for the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival, and was previously a Casting Director for the Dyane Foster Casting Agency. Zulaika’s talent and hard work is demonstrated through her many opportunities producing Theatrical Productions and Music Concerts in NYC for artists such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Antony Santos, among many others. She’s also received multiple nominations by Premios ACE 2013 as Best Actress and won the Best Actress category for Premios ATI 2013, for her role as Rosa Amada in the Off-Broadway production “Medardo.” Aside from being a talented actress and producer, Zulaika is also a Human/Women & Children/Civil Rights, and Arts Education Activist. She’s the Co-Author and Investigator on the project: “The Intersection of Violence and HIV/Aids.” Zulaika has served on many arts and awareness panels and believes the ARTS are a powerful social tool for activism. Now as a nominated Leading Latina 2019 for Latinas En New York, Zulaika is on a mission to continue empowering strong women in our Latin Community. She is proud of her background and believes that in coming together as LATINAS, we all create one collective voice which cannot be broken stating, “We are the most powerful community in the United States, we are the backbone of this country… our ability to adapt means we are visionaries in our own way. It is when we empower each other and unite that we show just how powerful we really are.” Zulaika also serves as a LENY Ambassador, and forms part of the LENY GLOBAL Network, nominating Latina women with extraordinary dedication to empowering the Latino community. Her goal is to be the first Latina Broadway Director, and in addition to her current goals, Zulaika is also developing an arts institute that would provide arts education for students of color, newly arrived immigrant families, and create spaces for emerging artists. “I would like to produce productions with youth who are under represented… but most of all, train our students of color to be able to attend The Juilliard School, Carnegie Mellon, Wesleyan, etc. Our youth, our people are brilliantly talented. They just need the platform and resources to show the world que si se puede!” Currently, Zulaika Velazquez’ life story is in pre-production for a feature film which she is very excited for stating, “It demonstrates that women are powerful.” This film will highlight her life growing up in the South Bronx during the late 70’s and overcoming all the challenges she faced as a teenager. “We are such powerful beings, if we work together there is so much we can help one another achieve. Even in the moments when we think it’s impossible.” Zulaika has a beautiful daughter whom she says is one of her greatest achievements! Her daughter attends Columbia University as an undergraduate. When she isn’t hard at work, Zulaika Velazquez also enjoys traveling, reading, experiencing new cultures, and learning many different languages.
Making Dreams a Reality With IORI Digital Founder Marggiori Salas
Marggiori Salas has always been motivated by the idea of becoming an entrepreneur. The desire and intrigue of owning her own business began at an early age for this Leading Latina. It all started with a bake sale – a childhood friend taught Marggiori how to prepare oats cookies which lead to creating a business by selling these deliciously baked treats for profit. It was this experience that opened her eyes to entrepreneurship and it continued to follow her throughout her career. Before founding the Marketing and Advertising Agency IORI Digital, Marggiori had a simple concept for skin care products called Fiore D’ Or. The many successes of this project were experiences learned and although the financial journey was difficult, quitting was not an option. She decided to take a few steps back and prepare herself for a future she always longed for. Owning a business in something Marggiori felt strongly impassioned for was important and it would take getting a job to financially invest in herself and her aspirations. Currently the CEO and Founder of IORI Digital based in Hackensack, NJ, Marggiori describes it as something entirely different, “I use all of my sales and marketing experience including my past business ventures to create something that works – to be able to become a success.” What drives this Latina entrepreneur is the desire to help others and grow. Having her own business has allowed Marggiori to connect with other businesses and help develop new talent. Today, Marggiori Salas attributes her biggest inspiration to her faith in God which shaped her life and became a mantra for overcoming obstacles everyday. Identifying her strength and finding her voice, Marggiori has gone through many challenges stating, “I was full of insecurities and fear of not being accepted by others. I overcame this challenge by placing myself out of my comfort zone. I realized that if I had a big dream I needed to take action.” As an entrepreneur, Marggiori enjoys the vision and goals that she continues to achieve with her clients, her agency, and herself. It’s the journey’s process of coming up with an idea which makes the experience worthwhile. At IORI Digital, everyone is committed to a client’s future and the success of their business. Marggiori’s background in engineering allows her to analyze data and convert it to real results. She takes every measure to not only bring a solution to the table, but to also make a powerful impact on the relationship she builds with her clients and colleagues. Marggiori is always focused on emotion driven experiences, business growth, and new opportunities. She knows what truly drives monetary conversions. It doesn’t take knowing it all to understand what works best for business – it’s knowing how well you can connect with others on a personal level to create a strong impact on their future aspirations. My clients success is my success. Best of all, I take action with visionaries and entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals. This year, Marggiori has been nominated for LENY’s social media campaign Leading Latinas where she is excited to share her story and passions with the rest of our Latin community. Her advice to all the hard working Latinas of the world? “We need to prioritize our dreams. Use your imagination to visualize the person you want to become… and only share it with those who believe in your wildest dreams.” By staying committed to your goals and working on your personal development, you will achieve what you once thought was impossible. Marggiori Salas will use her voice as a powerful tool to continue LENY’s mission as a true ambassador through women empowerment. As a Leading Latina of 2019, she is looking forward to helping others achieve success and become active leaders in their communities. Connect with Marggiori Salas @marggiori
Making a Difference Through Self-Development and Leadership with Entrepreneur Gilmanda Atkinson
Born in Brooklyn and raised by hardworking Dominican Women, Gilmanda Atkinson understands the power of perseverance and how it can impact one’s journey. Her biggest inspiration growing up taught Gilmanda the value of family, honesty, and authenticity. As a child, the women around me, especially my mother and aunts, were my biggest inspiration. I saw women who faced many challenges and always moved forward regardless of the situation. Observing the strength of her family motivated her to become the woman she is today. As an IT and business strategist, Gilmanda Atkinson provides all-inclusive business solutions which integrate a holistic approach to project management, serving as the strategist, planner, and cheerleader for her clients. She is highly sought for her solutions-driven methodology in time management, planning, and project execution. Being a Certified Life Coach, and author, Gilmanda also specializes in personal and professional development for corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Facing the unknown in her day-to-day work life as an entrepreneur remains a challenge as she expresses that, “no job is secure, much less stable.” Gilmanda sees this fear of the unknown as an experience which keeps her on her toes. Although the fear is always there, she strongly believes in the importance of taking action. Aside from her work as a professional IT, Gilmanda can be found working with forward thinking professionals who want to elevate their professional and personal lives. By integrating her training as a Certified Life Coach, Gilmanda is able to provide support and guidance for individuals who want to succeed. Seeing the smile of relief when her clients have been able to breakthrough and overcome barriers is rewarding. Today, this leading latina continues to use her expertise to encourage self-development and leadership in others as well. A natural leader and humanitarian, giving back to her community has allowed Gilmanda to stay grounded and to do more in order for others to have access to the knowledge and support they need to thrive in business and life. Ambitious, resourceful, and persevering, Gilmanda seeks to impact Latin women in the technology industry as a Leading Latina for LENY. Her advice to aspiring Latina entrepreneurs? “When you see a lack or a need of something, figure out why or what it is lacking and build it. Create the app, build the website, offer the services. Most importantly ASK questions. I believe as Latinas, we need to help each other as often as we possibly can.” Gilmanda is currently in the early planning stages of developing a STEM and media camp for disadvantaged youth in the Dominican Republic, as an initiative to improve academic achievement, curb delinquency, and reduce crime among youth. Connect with Gilmanda @gima_atkinson
Bring Passion and Storytelling to your Entrepreneurial Journey with OneKIN Inc. Co-founder Jennifer Gomez
When Jennifer Gomez embarked on her career as an entrepreneur, no one mentioned the whirlwind of emotional and mental unpredictability this path would hold. “The highs are very high, and the lows are super low. You feel everything in extremes but it is worth every bit.” Although there were moments of self-doubt, this Leading Latina faced her obstacles with a positive attitude. Born and raised a proud Dominican American woman from Brooklyn, NY, Gomez discovered her passion for creative storytelling which would become an integral focus of her career. Descending from a background of poets and narrators, it’s the rich history of her family’s past that contributes to the many inspiring experiences she’s had in her personal and professional life. Gomez’ mother is one of her biggest inspirations and continues to be an encouraging role model. Her mother’s strong sense of work ethic and community values were deeply ingrained in Gomez’s life. No matter how difficult or challenging the circumstances might be, Gomez learned that nothing was truly impossible. Storytelling in all its artforms – musical, spoken, or visual – is what impassions me. A seasoned professional with over a decade of media and advertising experience, Gomez previously served as the head of integrated marketing & content strategy at StyleHaul, a global marketing and media company. There, she helmed creative strategy for influencer-led branded content, and media campaigns across YouTube and other social media. Through her earlier roles at Time Inc., Major League Baseball and L’Oréal USA, Gomez has helped innumerable brands tell their stories and build authentic relationships with their target audiences around the globe. She holds a B.A. in political science from Brown University. Today, Jennifer Gomez is the co-founder and CMO of OneKIN Inc. , a curated online marketplace that amplifies the voices of retailers of color and celebrates the multifaceted identities of multicultural consumers through a unique sto-retail-ing(R) lens. Jennifer oversees the company’s brand and digital marketing efforts, creative direction, public relations and strategic marketing partnerships. Everyday she is inspired by the stories and the resilience of the black and latinx small business owners in the company’s extensive network. Jennifer is able to infuse everything she loves into the company’s brand through storytelling, community, and culture while also making a positive impact with a platform devoted to amplifying the voices and vision of diverse entrepreneurs. Every morning, I wake up trying to figure out how to best leverage the power of tech to elevate culture and help build sustainable brands and communities of color… I feel blessed. Finding the confidence during her journey as an entrepreneur was key to the many successes yet to come. Gomez learned that in order to muster the confidence and free herself of any fear or anxiety, you need a strong support system of family and friends who are there to help guide you every step of the way. It was then when she realized that finding the time to focus on self-care was crucial for growth and progress. Taking care of her mind and body brought forth clarity, patience, and forgiveness. Everything changed when I realized that no matter the outcome, I’ve learned so much, conquered my fears, dared to dream big, and pushed myself to take huge risks. It showed me how truly unstoppable we are. Gomez continues to provide B2B / B2C omni-channel marketing solutions for startups and Fortune 500 companies through her own marketing consulting business, combining data-led strategy and creative storytelling to drive optimal results. This year, Leading Latina Jennifer Gomez is on a mission: to help build a thriving and supportive community of renaissance latina creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals through her work with Latinas en New York. Seeking empowerment and driving our latin culture forward will bring about the change for a more diverse world. Knowing how difficult it is to begin a new career path, Gomez’s advice for other latinas is sound and true. When you have a goal you’re looking to accomplish she says, “Just go for it, y dale con ganas! Pretend there is no such failure, that you have endless resources, and no impediments.” Aspiring to work towards that vision you have everyday and finding a supportive network will help you in your journey. Gomez seeks to combine her professional background and deep passion/roots in social activism to build a thriving ecosystem of entrepreneurs that spark economic and social empowerment amongst disenfranchised communities. Gomez’ biggest motivation: her two daughters, and the Latino community that raised her. Connect with Jennifer Gomez: @Jennygo13 , @_oneKIN
Leading Latinas 2019: Behind The Scenes Photoshoot of This Year tech professionals and entrepreneurs
Leading Latinas 2019: The Behind The Scenes! Every year, LENY nominates a group of women to form part of a community seeking to empower like-minded individuals in the world of business, career, and entrepreneurship. Making meaningful connections, and sharing inspiring stories that spark profound conversations is at the core of the Leading Latinas campaign strategy – recognizing successful women from all walks of life. This year we will celebrate and honor “Latinas in Technology”. We understand the lack of media coverage and attention paid to Latina tech founders/tech professionals which is why we want to tell the world about their tech journey and discover those that are truly kicking ass and taking names in their technology-related fields. Click Here for More