Mariana Atencio's biography
- Peabody Award-winning journalist and communication expert
- TEDx speaker with 25 million views
- Founder of GoLike Media and Microsoft series host
Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning journalist and communication expert who helps leaders and organisations build trust through authentic leadership. Her TEDx talk on authenticity has reached over 25 million views and has been translated into 13 languages.
Mariana spent years as an anchor and national correspondent at NBC News and Univision before founding GoLike Media, a female-led content company recognised amongst the 100 most powerful Latina businesses in the US. She hosts Microsoft's global series for entrepreneurs, a programme that has won Telly and Webby awards. Her book Perfectly You became an Amazon bestseller and was selected by Audible and AppleBooks. She features in the HBO series Habla Now and created Lost in Panama, an investigative podcast that reached Apple's top 10 on release.
Mariana translates her journalism experience into practical communication strategies for executives navigating change and uncertainty. She has worked with Microsoft, JPMorgan, Ford, Spotify, and the United Nations to help teams develop authentic leadership approaches that drive engagement and performance. Her methods show organisations how to build credibility in an environment saturated with filtered content and artificial intelligence, helping them to maintain human connection whilst embracing technological advancement.
Audiences learn to identify their unique leadership strengths, communicate with clarity and empathy during periods of change, and create workplace cultures where people contribute their best work. Mariana delivers interactive exercises that provide immediate application, helping participants cut through noise and build trust with their teams and stakeholders.
Book Mariana to equip your organisation with communication tools that transform authenticity into competitive advantage and lasting business results.
Mariana's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Developing True Inclusion For Workplace Belonging
Belonging doesn’t happen automatically. It takes intention and a surefire strategy. Being the only Latina in many newsrooms and now as an entrepreneur, Mariana understands what is needed to create a more diverse and inclusive culture in top corporate environments. She’s combined her insights with scientific research to design a 7-step formula to promote authenticity, productivity, and belonging in your organization. The results have prompted companies like LinkedIn, Deloitte, Ford, and YouTube to bring her onboard to lead multiple diversity speeches, conferences, awards, and seminars.
Leadership: Take Control To Lead And Succeed
How can you be an effective leader and bring the best out of your team, considering the challenges we face? Using The latest data and her interviews with top business minds, Mariana Atencio will share her 3UP Method for managers and employees to turn the current uncertainty and migration of talent into a unique leadership opportunity. In this session, attendees will learn to preach optimism (because no one wants to follow a pessimistic leader), lessen their fear of failure, and overcome imposter syndrome. This session will leave your attendees empowered to meet the moment.
The Power Of Being Perfectly You
Mariana Atencio examines why people and organisations perform at their best when authenticity is encouraged rather than hidden. Blending personal insight with global reporting experience, she addresses the fear, uncertainty, and pressure to conform that often block confidence and connection. Her energetic, relatable style shows how embracing individuality builds trust, engagement, and purpose. Audiences gain practical insight into navigating change, leading with empathy, and unlocking the personal strengths that drive fulfilment and sustainable success.
Real Matters: Building Trust In An Unreal World
Mariana Atencio explores why trust has become one of the scarcest and most valuable leadership assets in an age of AI, curated narratives, and corporate spin. Drawing on award-winning journalism and deep experience with global organisations, she examines how authenticity shapes credibility, culture, and performance. With sharp storytelling and interactive moments, Mariana reveals how being real strengthens resilience, fuels innovation, and aligns teams, offering clear ways to build trust, communicate transparently, and lead with lasting impact.
Communicating Confidently: Cut Through The Noise
Mariana Atencio tackles the growing challenge of being understood in a world of constant information, AI-driven content, and shrinking attention spans. Drawing on more than a decade in international television and digital media, she breaks down what makes messages land across platforms and audiences. With practical examples and real-time techniques, Mariana shows how clarity, credibility, and storytelling work together, equipping leaders to communicate with confidence, influence, and authority in any setting.
Why we recommend booking Mariana
Mariana brings proven communication strategies from her award-winning journalism career to help your leaders build genuine connections that drive real business results. Her interactive approach teaches executives how to cut through digital noise and create trust-based cultures where teams perform at their highest level. Secure Mariana now to transform your leadership communication into a powerful competitive advantage.
Check Mariana's availability
Trusted by HRD Corp Malaysia, Future Investment Institute, Entrepreneurs Organization, Google, Florida Apartment Association, Edelman Financial Engines, Microsoft, Citi Private Bank, Outreach, Bacardi, Ford Motor Company, CRH, California Closets, JPMorgan, United Nations
