Latina Leadership Podcast

Are you working twice as hard but getting paid half as much? Stop shrinking and start negotiating, learn the exact mindset shift that helps Latinas claim their worth and close the gap. Evie Prete is here to silence that voice. A mechanical engineer turned negotiation powerhouse, Evie went from shrinking herself in corporate spaces to negotiating nearly $200,000 in raises for herself and over $750,...

We often think of legacy as something left behind in a dusty will or a bank account after we're gone. But what if your legacy is actually a "compact package" of history and faith passed down through the very phrases your parents whispered in your ear? For many of us, navigating the "first-gen tightrope" means balancing individual success with the deep-seated cultural weight of familismo, the loyal...

Erasing the Map: How to Unlearn Your Deepest Fears with Listener Michelle.   Reframing solo travel, generational fear, and the superpower of unlearning. We all walk around carrying maps we didn't draw. From the moment we are born, we absorb stories about what is safe, what is dangerous, what paths are open to us, and which ones are strictly off-limits. For Latina professionals, especially first-ge...

Cultural Conditioning & Hustle Culture: Las Patronas on Breaking Generational Cycles and Self-Acceptance From a young age, Latina women are heavily conditioned by family expectations on how to look, what to eat, and how to behave, creating a heavy mental load that follows us into our professional lives. In this episode, Mary Ann and Monica, leaders from the Houston-based collective Las Patronas, s...

The Voices We Carry: Rosanna, Maritere, and Paola on Reclaiming Leadership Hola, amiga. In this special episode, we move beyond standard self-improvement to witness stories of survival, reclamation, and the profound strength of the Latina experience . We feature three powerful video submissions from listeners—Rosanna, Maritere, and Paola—who demonstrate how leadership is often found in the rebuild...

In this special outdoor episode recorded at an Oklahoma state park, Anjelica and Monica of Las Patronas tackle essential questions about navigating life and leadership. They discuss finding your true north through intuition and community, the creative freedom in knowing there is no single path to success, and the non-negotiable tools for resilience like integrity, music, and the courage to let go...

Where does self-improvement meet self-compassion? Following our conversation on the external pressures of building "The Business of Us," this episode turns inward to the quiet pressures we put on ourselves. Host Andrea Diaz shares a listener's powerful story about "romanticizing" daily life and finding joy in the mundane. Instead of another rigid plan for the new year, we discuss the three essenti...

When you're the first in your family to build a business, the business plan is only half the story. In this episode, host Andrea Diaz shares listener Vanessa's journey from a corporate role to founding a pet photography studio and the community project "Girls Do the Work." Vanessa gets real about the heavier weight of risk she carries as a daughter of immigrants, explaining that failing didn't jus...

What does resilience really look like when you're living it? In this episode, we go beyond the motivational posters for an honest look at the everyday grit it takes to move forward. Through intimate listener stories, from navigating corporate spaces to building a creative life, host Andrea Diaz explores the quiet power of finding your people. We'll talk about the science of how our brains handle c...

In this honest conversation, Anjelica and Monica of Las Patronas explore the real work of maintaining adult friendship, especially in the season of empty nesting. They discuss how time, intention, and clear communication become the pillars of sustaining close bonds, sharing a relatable story about how a simple misunderstanding over a text nearly caused a rift. The episode gently acknowledges that...

This episode dives into the beautiful and complex dance between our cultural roots, family responsibilities, and personal ambitions. Through an extraordinary, real-life story from a listener spanning teenage motherhood, homeownership, higher education, and building an accidental business empire, we explore how the very things that feel like pulls in opposite directions can actually become our grea...

In this heartfelt episode of Las Patronas, Monica and Mary Ann share an intimate conversation reflecting on their lives with deep gratitude for their children and the fulfillment of their nonprofit work, while also honestly acknowledging the ongoing search for personal purpose as they navigate the transitions in their lives. Together, they explore the importance of taking risks, embracing mistakes...

In this powerful episode, we explore the evolving landscape of work for Latinas, moving beyond the anxiety around AI and automation to uncover a path of profound opportunity and agency. Weaving together an incredible listener story of heritage, resilience, and community building with insightful research on technology's impact, we discuss how to leverage our unique cultural strengths our bilinguali...

In their debut episode, Anjelica, Mary Ann, and Monica open the doors to their friendship in "This Is Not An Episode." This warm and lively conversation is all about connection, how three distinct lives intersected through chance encounters and shared spaces, and grew into a chosen sisterhood built on trust, laughter, and deep understanding. They revisit the memories that solidified their bond, fr...

We're rewriting the confidence playbook together this week, exploring how confidence for Latinas isn't about being the loudest voice, it's rooted in the quiet strength we inherit, the resilience we've earned, and the community we build. Through three powerful listener stories from incredible survival and rebirth, to bridge-building leadership, to authentic storytelling, we break down what it reall...

Season 12 is here, amiga, and we're kicking things off with a powerful episode. Your co-host, Andrea Diaz, is taking the mic to dive into the heart of this season's theme: your story. You've already started sharing your incredible journeys with us, esas historias of resilience, growth, and triumph, and in this episode, Andrea explains why this act of storytelling is so revolutionary. She explores...

Season 11 of the Latina Leadership Podcast was one for the books, filled with bold stories, powerful lessons, and unforgettable mujeres redefining leadership in their own ways. In this special Best of Season 11 episode, co-host Andrea Diaz takes you on a heartfelt journey through the highlights of the season, revisiting moments that inspired, challenged, and uplifted our comunidad. Andrea reflects...

In this episode, we sit down with Veronica Pedersen, CEO and Co-Founder of Timeless Skin Care, to explore her journey of resilience, purpose, and integrity in the beauty industry. Inspired by her mother's passion for skincare, Veronica built a brand that champions honesty, quality, and care, values that helped Timeless grow from a small start-up to a trusted global name. Veronica opens up about th...

In this warm and inspiring episode, Toni Chapman, Culinary Content Producer and Author, opens up about her journey through food, culture, and identity. As a proud Afro-Latina, Toni shares how her heritage has shaped the way she cooks, creates, and connects with others. She talks about preserving family recipes, honoring the flavors that raised her, and finding joy in sharing approachable, comforti...

On this episode, we sit down with Melissa Rojas, founder of Chasing Camilla. Melissa shares her journey from working in Los Angeles as a personal assistant to rebuilding her life after a difficult separation. At her lowest point, she felt like everything had fallen apart. She started over with an Etsy shop, creating designs inspired by Mexican culture and her experiences as a mother. That small st...

Meet Jessica Zenteno, a true amiga of the community whose path took her from nursing student to fearless advocate and holistic wellness guide. Jessica shares how she blends healing practices with her passion for leadership and resource-building, showing us that true change starts when we care for ourselves as much as we care for others. She talks about the challenges our communities face, fear, un...

Amiga, this episode is extra special with sisters Karina and Melissa Pompa sharing their journey as entrepreneurs and visionaries. Karina talks about starting as a stay-at-home mom and growing into the proud owner of two successful salons. Melissa opens up about her path in real estate, building wealth, and creating opportunities for others. Together, they built the Pompa Building, a space designe...

In this episode, we sit down with Ana Cruz Hollingsworth, founder of Rollos de Mujeres Media. Ana takes us into her journey, growing up in Mexico in a challenging environment and building a successful career in U.S. media. She shares what it was like navigating language barriers, cultural differences, and the reality of being the only woman in male-dominated spaces. Ana created Rollos of Mujeres M...

Amiga, Jenny Solares isn't just making funny videos: she's building a life and a community she loves. In this episode, she opens up about her journey from bingeing makeup tutorials to creating content that reaches millions, all while honoring her Guatemalan roots. We get real about the highs and lows of life online, burnout, the pressure to please, and the magic that happens when you create from t...

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Carlos Eduardo Espina, social media powerhouse, law school graduate, and dedicated community advocate. Carlos shares how he turned online citizenship classes during the pandemic into a movement that now reaches millions across TikTok, Facebook, and beyond. He opens up about the realities facing Latino and immigrant communities, the power of staying infor...