In an business traditionally dominated by males, these leaders show that feminine expertise not solely has a spot in Latin American technology- it’s a transformative drive. They are there: analyzing, brainstorming, coding, creating ideas, main groups.
Yet, ladies make up less than 23% of the tech talent in Latin America. That’s why this checklist doesn’t simply acknowledge their work—it makes it seen. Because they use their information, braveness, and instinct to construct startups from the bottom up or to deliver a contemporary, numerous, delicate, and significant perspective to current companies- one able to reworking every little thing.
Women in the present day are protagonists in the tech business. They set the course and form the longer term. This is going on all over the world, and Latin America is not any exception.
From Brazil to Mexico, by way of Chile, Argentina, and Colombia, these 15 ladies are already defining numerous tech sectors by contributing innovation, creativity, analysis, and growth, but in addition bringing a female perspective that fights for fairness, range, and inclusion in a world burdened by bias.
These are 15 ladies who’re redefining the know-how business in Latin America.
Victoria de León — Robotics and Digital Systems Engineering Student
With a promising profession in robotics and digital programs engineering, Victoria de León has attracted the eye of the scientific group because of an progressive biomaterials venture for lunar missions. This 21-year-old —a Robotics and Systems Engineer from Tec de Monterrey, Mexico City campus, and at the moment a analysis intern at Carnegie Mellon University— goals to develop sustainable options for area exploration by utilizing supplies that may be produced or tailored in extraterrestrial environments, combining superior engineering with environmental consciousness.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Victoria represents a brand new technology of girls in science who’re breaking limitations. Her curiosity in area will not be solely technical but in addition deeply humanistic: she believes scientific progress ought to go hand in hand with sustainability and fairness.
What units Victoria aside?
Her skill to merge creativity, scientific information, and forward-thinking imaginative and prescient — even earlier than graduating from college. Her most notable venture includes the event of an progressive biomaterial designed to detect radiation in lunar habitats. The materials combines lunar regolith with insect-derived biopolymers to kind a versatile movie that glows in the presence of radiation, offering astronauts with a visible warning sign. Her invention is ready to be examined aboard the International Space Station as a part of the MISSE-21 experiment.
Gabriela Salas Cabrera — Data Scientist and Indigenous Activist
Gabriela Salas Cabrera is a knowledge scientist deeply dedicated to the preservation and recognition of Mexico’s indigenous languages. Her work goes past the technical, it has turn into a cultural and social mission, notably by way of her key position in integrating Nahuatl into Google Translate, a essential step in elevating consciousness and serving to protect this ancestral language.
Gabriela has skillfully mixed her background in information science together with her Indigenous activism to develop applied sciences that help the revitalization of native languages — an effort geared toward defending the cultural id of Indigenous communities and bringing them into the digital age with out shedding their essence.
She was born in Puerto del Caballo, a small group in Chapulhuacán, Hidalgo, Mexico. Gabriela holds a level in Information Technology Engineering from the Universidad Tecnológica de Tula-Tepeji. She is at the moment pursuing a Bachelor’s diploma in Mathematics from the Universidad Abierta y a Distancia de México and a grasp’s in Data Science on the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
What units Gabriela aside?
Her skill to mix scientific rigor with a deep social and cultural dedication, proving that know-how could be a highly effective software for inclusion and linguistic justice.
Noemí Hernández Guerrero — Director of Customer Success at Salesforce
Noemí Hernández Guerrero has constructed a powerful profession in the tech sector, establishing herself as a key determine in buyer relationship administration at one of many world’s most influential corporations: Salesforce. As Director of Customer Success, she leads methods to drive the adoption of technological options throughout numerous industries, making certain that corporations get essentially the most worth from their digital investments.
But her impression goes past the company world. Noemí is an energetic advocate for gender fairness in the tech business and an inspiring voice for ladies trying to enter or advance in historically male-dominated fields.
She has participated in a number of initiatives geared toward encouraging women and younger ladies to pursue careers in science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic (STEM), and has shared her expertise as a mentor and speaker at management and variety boards.
Born in Mexico, Noemí combines a robust background in Information Technology with communication and management expertise which have made her a acknowledged member in the Latin American tech group.
What units Noemí aside?
Her agency dedication to the skilled growth of different ladies, her skill to steer with empathy, and her perception that technological success additionally relies on inclusion and illustration.
Katherine Vergara — Founder of STEMtivista and Co-founder of the Video Game Studio Tónico
Educator, graphic designer, scientist, communicator, and entrepreneur, Katherine Vergara has made the intersection of science and creativity her playground. She based STEMtivista, a platform devoted to bringing science nearer to numerous audiences by way of progressive and accessible codecs. She can also be the co-founder of Tónico, a online game studio that makes use of interactive storytelling to discover scientific and social themes.
Originally from Chile, Katherine’s work stands out for selling essential considering and equitable entry to information, particularly amongst youth and underrepresented communities. With an integrative imaginative and prescient, she is increasing the methods science is communicated and skilled throughout Latin America.
What units Katherine aside?
Her skill to translate complicated scientific ideas into partaking and accessible experiences, utilizing mediums like video video games, visible artwork, and storytelling — all with out sacrificing depth.
Cristina Junqueira — Co-founder of Nubank and advocate for range in fintech
Cristina Junqueira is likely one of the co-founders of Nubank, the biggest fintech in Latin America and a worldwide benchmark for monetary innovation. Her profession combines expertise in conventional banking with a robust dedication to monetary inclusion and variety. As a pacesetter, she has pushed the democratization of entry to monetary providers by way of know-how, reworking the banking expertise for thousands and thousands of individuals.
Her position has been pivotal not solely in constructing a disruptive firm but in addition in fostering a various and inclusive tradition throughout the fintech sector, creating alternatives for ladies and underrepresented communities.
Cristina holds a level in Industrial Engineering from the University of São Paulo, the place she additionally accomplished a grasp’s diploma. Additionally, she earned an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
What units Cristina aside?
Her strategic imaginative and prescient to rework the monetary sector from inside, and her ardour for creating equitable alternatives by combining technological innovation with a real dedication to range.
Maria Oliveira Tamellini — Co-founder of GamerSafer
Driven by the purpose of creating the digital world a safer area for youngsters and youths, Maria Oliveira Tamellini co-founded GamerSafer, a platform that makes use of id verification and AI to stop dangers in on-line gaming environments. Based in Brazil, she has led initiatives that defend younger communities from harassment, grooming, and different types of digital violence, working carefully with studios and builders all over the world.
With a background in user-centered design and expertise in the social impression startup ecosystem, Tamellini has constructed her profession round creating moral applied sciences that prioritize little one security. GamerSafer is not only a technical response to an pressing challenge — it’s a human-centered strategy that empowers each gamers and builders to construct extra constructive digital environments.
What units Maria aside?
Her perception that digital security ought to be a proper embedded in design. One of her most important achievements has been integrating privacy-respecting verification processes that permit platforms to detect dangerous habits with out compromising the person expertise. Her work has been acknowledged at occasions such because the Global Game Jam and by accountable tech organizations throughout the Americas and Europe. She has additionally collaborated with teams like Common Sense Media and the*gamehers, each of that are devoted to creating constructive digital areas for youth and ladies.
Mariana Costa Checa — Co-founder and CEO of Laboratoria
From Lima, Peru, Mariana Costa Checa has led one of the crucial transformative efforts to coach ladies in tech throughout Latin America. As the co-founder and CEO of Laboratoria, she has paved the best way for hundreds of girls —a lot of whom had no earlier entry to formal schooling in know-how— to turn into net builders and UX designers, opening doorways to new job alternatives and breaking cycles of inequality.
With a background in worldwide relations and growth, Costa Checa realized early on that know-how may very well be a strong software for inclusion. Under her management, Laboratoria has expanded to a number of nations in the area and gained recognition for its progressive coaching mannequin, which focuses on hands-on studying, collaboration, and socio-emotional expertise.
What units Mariana aside?
Her skill to mix a robust social imaginative and prescient with strategic execution. She didn’t simply launch an academic program — she constructed a bridge between underrepresented expertise and the worldwide tech business. Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Costa Checa has partnered with corporations like Google, IBM, and Globant to open doorways for extra Latin American ladies in tech. Her work is a strong instance of how entry to technical information may also be a type of social justice.
Melissa Amado — Founder of BeE3 LabTech
Melissa Amado is a distinguished Peruvian entrepreneur in the sector of know-how utilized to mining. She is the founder and CEO of BeE3 LabTech, a pioneering startup in Peru that develops AI-based options to optimize mining processes. Her work focuses on utilizing technological innovation to enhance each effectivity and sustainability in the mining business.
She has been acknowledged for her management and contributions to the tech sector. In 2024, she acquired the Most Disruptive Award on the Women in Tech LATAM Awards. Melissa has additionally served as a mentor for organizations like WoomUp and UTEC Posgrado, supporting the skilled development of girls in know-how.
She holds a level in International Business from the University of San Martín de Porres and a grasp’s in Social Innovation and Sustainable Economy from the University of Salamanca.
What units Melissa aside?
Melissa Amado has made it her mission to rework one in every of Peru’s most conventional industries—mining—by way of know-how. Her skill to merge innovation with sustainability has made her a disruptive drive in a area lengthy dominated by males.
Ophelia Pastrana — Physicist, economist, and transgender activist
She is a widely known determine in the Latin American tech ecosystem, acknowledged each for her educational background and her skill to speak science and know-how with readability, humor, and depth. She holds levels in physics and economics (from Florida Atlantic University and the University of Sydney) and has labored as a speaker, influencer, technologist, and comic, breaking limitations in every of those fields.
Ophelia Pastrana has been featured on a number of influential lists, together with Mexico’s 100 Leaders of the Future by the World Economic Forum, Forbes’ 50+ Creatives, and Mexico’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Her YouTube channel and podcast are platforms the place she interprets complicated ideas into accessible concepts for hundreds of individuals in science, know-how, and human rights.
Ophelia is likely one of the most seen voices advocating for transgender rights in Latin America, utilizing her platform to advertise inclusion and significant considering.
What units Ophelia aside
She combines deep technical information with a singular skill to attach with numerous audiences. In an surroundings the place illustration remains to be restricted, she has opened doorways for trans voices in science and know-how, turning into a task mannequin each for her experience and her authenticity.
Linda Patiño — Communications Manager, Google Colombia
A journalist from Universidad Javeriana with a grasp’s diploma in Gender, Media and Culture from the London School of Economics, Linda Patiño has constructed a profession on the intersection of know-how, communications and human rights. As Communications Manager at Google Colombia, she leads initiatives that promote digital citizenship, on-line security, and the empowerment of girls and youth by way of know-how.
Before becoming a member of Google, she labored as a tech journalist at El Tiempo, the place she was acknowledged for her skill to clarify the social impression of digital innovation. She has additionally collaborated with organizations similar to Fundación Karisma and took part in worldwide boards on digital literacy, cyberbullying, and gender fairness in tech environments.
What units Linda aside?
Linda has turn into one of the crucial influential voices in Latin America on digital rights from a gender perspective. Her mix of journalistic experience, worldwide educational background, and social dedication makes her a pacesetter who is aware of how to discuss know-how — and switch it into an actual software for transformation in weak communities.
Micaela Mantegna — Expert in Video Game Law and Artificial Intelligence, Founder of Women in Games Argentina
A lawyer from the University of Buenos Aires with postgraduate research in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, Micaela Mantegna has constructed a singular profession on the intersection of know-how, ethics, and regulation. She is a fellow on the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard and a acknowledged world voice in conversations round video video games, AI, and digital rights.
As the founding father of Women in Games Argentina, Mantegna actively works to raise the position of girls in the gaming business and foster extra inclusive environments. She has suggested worldwide organizations on AI governance and tech regulation, and has spoken at high-profile platforms similar to TED, UNESCO, and the World Economic Forum.
What units Micaela aside?
Micaela combines a strong authorized background with a essential perspective on the social impression of know-how. Her pioneering work in online game legislation, alongside together with her advocacy for moral and inclusive AI, has positioned her as one in every of Latin America’s most influential voices on the digital future.
Mercedes Bidart — Co-founder and CEO of Quipu
Mercedes is the co-founder and CEO of Quipu, a fintech leveraging blockchain know-how to digitize and strengthen group markets throughout Latin America. Originally from Argentina, and with a background in city planning and financial growth from Harvard University, she has devoted her profession to constructing extra inclusive financial programs from the bottom up.
Her startup, Quipu, allows entrepreneurs and small companies in low-income communities to construct buying and selling networks, change items and providers with out the necessity for money, and achieve entry to transaction histories that may open doorways to the formal monetary system. The mannequin blends the spirit of group bartering with cutting-edge know-how, empowering populations which have traditionally been excluded.
What units Mercedes aside?
Mercedes Bidart brings a deep understanding of city financial dynamics along with a robust dedication to social justice by way of know-how. Her deal with blockchain-powered collaborative economies not solely tackles monetary inclusion but in addition fosters mutual help networks amongst small-scale entrepreneurs.
Nina da Hora — Computer scientist and cybersecurity researcher
Computer scientist and cybersecurity researcher recognized for her advocacy of digital inclusion and her dedication to creating moral tech that displays Brazil’s racial range. Born in Rio de Janeiro, she has used her educational background and technical experience to make clear how algorithms disproportionately impression Afro-descendant communities.
Nina da Hora is the founding father of Instituto da Hora, a corporation that promotes essential enthusiastic about know-how and its social implications, notably amongst Black youth. Nina has additionally contributed to initiatives that goal to make sure AI and different rising applied sciences are developed with ideas of social justice and illustration at their core.
What units Nina aside?
Nina brings a singular perspective to the tech world by putting racial fairness on the coronary heart of the innovation dialog. Her dedication to moral know-how has made her not solely a number one voice in cybersecurity but in addition a strong advocate for dismantling exclusionary buildings and envisioning a extra simply and inclusive digital future. She has additionally prolonged this essential lens to the sector of synthetic intelligence, driving initiatives to make sure that rising applied sciences are developed with ideas of social justice and illustration.
María Paz Gillet — CEO and Co-founder, Jooycar
A pioneer in the insurtech sector in Latin America, María Paz Gillet leads Jooycar, an organization that has remodeled the auto insurance coverage business by way of telematics know-how. Based in Santiago, Chile, and current in a number of markets throughout the area, Jooycar presents usage-based insurance coverage, encouraging safer and extra environment friendly driving. Under her management, the startup has secured partnerships with conventional insurers, mixing tech innovation with scalable enterprise fashions.
Before Jooycar, María Paz was a part of the founding staff at platforms like Cumplo, reinforcing her monitor document as an entrepreneur in extremely regulated sectors.
She holds a level in Business and Economics from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Her imaginative and prescient combines know-how, information, and a deep understanding of the Latin American client.
What units María Paz aside?
Her skill to steer innovation in industries which have historically resisted change. Her strategy has been to rework the system from inside, constructing bridges between startups and huge insurers. She’s additionally one of many few feminine founders who has efficiently scaled an insurtech firm in Latin America, with proprietary know-how and a robust user-centered focus.
Gabriela Ceballos — CEO and Founder, Hitch
Gabriela Ceballos is the founder and CEO of Hitch, an AI-powered recruitment platform that helps corporations make more practical hiring choices. Based in Mexico, Hitch has positioned itself as an progressive SaaS answer in Latin America by automating choice processes and higher matching candidates’ expertise with staff wants.
Gabriela brings expertise in know-how, expertise, and operations, having labored at world corporations earlier than launching her startup. She’s acknowledged for her skill to show complicated HR challenges into sensible, data-driven, AI-enabled options. Gabriela holds a level in Economics and Finance from Tecnológico de Monterrey and earned a Master’s in Finance from EADA Business School in Barcelona.
What units Gabriela aside?
Her pragmatic strategy to fixing one of many largest bottlenecks in enterprise development: hiring. Gabriela combines technical experience with a transparent understanding of the human facet behind each hiring course of.
Eddymar Coronel — Chief Experience Officer, Fracttal
Eddymar Coronel is the Chief Experience Officer at Fracttal, the primary AI-integrated Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Founded in Chile in 2014, and later increasing to the remainder of Latin America and Europe, Fracttal goals to rework industrial upkeep administration, digitizing processes and enhancing security, effectivity, and sustainability operations for its shoppers.
Eddymar, initially from Venezuela, has turn into one of many driving forces behind constructing a people-centered operation with scalable processes, enterprise intelligence, and a transparent imaginative and prescient for the longer term. She started her profession as an digital engineer in 2016, and later labored as IT Engineer in Piovesan, a place in which she discovered to determine patterns and design preventative options for technical incidents.
What units Eddymar aside?
As a results-oriented skilled, Eddymar combines robust moral experience with client-focused management to ship each empathy and measurable outcomes in know-how, upkeep, and buyer expertise.
She is acknowledged as a part of a brand new technology of girls reworking the tech business by way of management, assertive technique, and innovation, as she continues to exhibit that buyer expertise and know-how management can- and should- be guided by each imaginative and prescient and human connection.