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Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and media entrepreneur whose career has been defined by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. As an inspiring speaker and moderator, she is recognised for her ability to connect deeply with audiences, guiding them to embrace authenticity, build trust, and foster inclusive environments where everyone feels they belong. Her message is clear and powerful: what makes you different makes you strong.
Her career began with a degree in communications from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and a master’s in broadcast journalism from Columbia University. She started as a multimedia reporter for El Diario/La Prensa before becoming a news anchor and correspondent at Univision and later Fusion Media Group. Mariana then joined NBC News as a national correspondent, covering major stories across the United States and Latin America. Expanding beyond traditional journalism, she founded GoLike Media, a company dedicated to producing content that elevates diverse voices and champions inclusive storytelling.
Alongside her media work, Mariana has achieved significant recognition and influence. She received the prestigious Peabody Award for her journalism, along with the Gracies Award from the Alliance for Women in Media and the Latino Issues Award. She was also nominated for an Emmy in the News and Documentary category and honoured with the Presidential Award by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Her bestselling book ‘Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real’ resonated globally, offering readers a blueprint for self-acceptance and resilience. She also serves on the boards of Voto Latino and the National Museum of the American Latino.
Mariana is sought after as a diversity and inclusion speaker because she embodies the principles she teaches. She speaks on belonging, empathetic leadership, and embracing change, showing leaders and teams how authenticity strengthens trust and performance. Her TEDx talk, ‘What Makes You Special?’, reached audiences worldwide and continues to inspire people to value their uniqueness. Through keynotes such as The Power of Being Perfectly You and Transformative Leadership: Building Trust Through Authenticity, she equips individuals with the courage to navigate uncertainty, challenge self-doubt, and unlock the power of community, leaving audiences motivated to champion inclusivity in lasting ways.
“Mariana was a rockstar! Her personal story and insightful commentary seamlessly tied together key takeaways from each session. Her adaptability and poise made all the difference during an unexpected snowstorm that affected the conference. She masterfully adapted to last-minute program changes, managing speaker cancellations and communicating critical travel and safety concerns with ease. A true professional who brought immense value to our program.”
“I am thrilled to share my highest praise for Mariana, who hosted our company’s 2023 convention. Mariana’s performance as the event’s host exceeded all expectations, and her contributions were invaluable. Throughout the event, Mariana showcased her exceptional talent for engaging and captivating our audience. Her energy and enthusiasm were boundless, creating an electric atmosphere that resonated with everyone in attendance. Most importantly, she was able to think on her feet, listen, and absorb the right takeaways to weave one keynote with the next, creating the perfect throughline for our summit.”
“Mariana Atencio brought such energy and honesty to our company-wide event. Marina’s authenticity allows her to connect with others almost immediately. Thank you for providing us with the tools to be resilient and proud of what makes us Perfectly Unique.”
The Diversity and Inclusion Speakers Agency has been one of the UK’s leading bureaus for inspirational figures of different races, genders, sexualities and abilities since 2020. We supply speakers for corporate and public events across the world, and cater to both in-person occasions and online webinars. Our roster includes athletes, psychologists, celebrities and more, to ensure that audiences of all industries receive tailored, impactful advice on diversity and inclusion.
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