Latina Innovators in Tech
By Gloria Romano-Barrera
Adina Lozada, Senior Manager, Amazon Web Services (AWS); Antonina Robles, Global Program Manager at HP Inc., and Vanesa Fernanda Carrillo, Product Marketing Manager at Microsoft, are three Latina leaders transforming the tech industry—not just through innovation and expertise, but by bringing their full identities, cultural wealth, and personal resilience to the forefront of their work. Each woman’s path is distinct, yet their stories echo that success in tech is not defined by traditional routes, but by perseverance, representation, and a deep commitment to lifting others as they rise.
Adina Lozada
Senior Manager
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Adina Lozada never imagined she would one day be a senior manager at Amazon Web Services, leading teams in the complex world of cloud computing. Lozada’s path to becoming a senior manager at Amazon Web Services is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of representation—a story that resonates with anyone who has ever dared to dream beyond the boundaries of their beginnings. Growing up in a family rooted in public service, Lozada was the first in her family to attend college.
“My parents were public servants. They didn’t go to college,” she shares. “I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. Working full-time and studying full-time was not for the weak, but it’s what I had to do to create a new cycle of success. My parents set the foundation for me to reach higher with an immense amount of support, sacrifice, and ambition for me.”
Her technology journey was anything but traditional. With a degree in Forensic Psychology, she started her career in public service as an Investigator with a Criminal Defense team at The Legal Aid Society of NYC; went on to serve with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Federal Law Enforcement Officer; and finally, before joining AWS, she served as an Intelligence Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), focused on Security and Counterintelligence initiatives.
“When I think about it now, I’m in awe of myself, and I think you kind of have to have a healthy sense of pride,” she shares. “To be proud of your journey, and the moment you are in now.”
Lozada has been with AWS since 2015. With over 25 years of professional experience as a multi-disciplined security careerist, she works with AWS services to help make complex and cross-functional program delivery faster to delight customers.
The transition from public service to the private sector was not without its challenges. She shares that it was a terrifyingly exciting experience and initially felt out of place because she lacked expertise in the technology domain. However, she quickly realized that her core skills, pa’lante spirit, ability to communicate thoughtfully, and build high-performing teams could be used to solve complex technical problems through the framework of Amazon’s leadership principles.
Lozada’s Latino roots have been a source of strength and inspiration.
“Most of the women in my extended family… have always kind of held down the fort,” she shares. “It’s almost like a form of program management at home, multi-tasking, and managing competing priorities regularly.”
Her accomplishments at Amazon are many, but she is especially proud of her role in employee resource groups.
“I had a vision that I wanted to be on the global board of Latinos at Amazon… and although it was a short stint, being elected to join the global board was a big accomplishment for me, and it’s a way for me to make the path wider for the next-gen of Latina leaders in tech,” she shares.
Lozada’s advice to Latinas aspiring to enter technology is to “be persistent and you’re your cultural wealth in every meeting, every decision, and every innovation you invest in.”
“The other piece of advice I can give is to have a structured and methodical approach to problem solving,” she shares. “We might work in a space where folks don’t look like us, but using our heritage as a competitive advantage to navigate life with a familia-first mindset has guided me throughout my career in technology.”
For Lozada, success is about more than just career milestones.
“Success transcends career achievements for me,” she shares. “I recognize that I am privileged in this aspect, but I measure success by my ability to attend school events, share family dinners, and maintain flexibility in my schedule. A meaningful life combines professional accomplishments with the freedom to be present for important family moments. This balance allows me to excel at work while creating lasting memories at home.”
Lozada’s story is a powerful reminder that there is no single path to success, and that resilience, community, and authenticity can open doors—even in the most unexpected places.
All views, thoughts, and opinions shared here are Lozada’s personal perspectives and do not reflect the official position of her employer or any organization she is affiliated with.
Antonina Robles
Global Program Manager
HP Inc.
When Antonina Robles reflects on her path to becoming a global program manager at Hewlett-Packard, she’s quick to credit her roots, her resilience, and the mentors who helped her along the way. From working in the fields of Idaho at a young age to becoming a global program manager at Hewlett-Packard, Robles’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, curiosity, and the importance of representation in STEM.
“I always said, you can’t be what you can’t see. And so, I didn’t see anybody in STEM,” Robles shares, reflecting on her early years and the importance of role models. “So now I try to make it a priority to create awareness about careers in STEM.”
Born in California but raised in Mexico, her childhood was shaped by family, culture, and hard work. Her technology journey began unexpectedly. During her early teenage years, she began working in the field, and by age 17, she recognized it was time for her to have a different real job. She applied for a position at HP and ultimately secured the job. At the age of 17, she began her employment with HP via a program known as the SEED Program, a student engineering and training initiative that would change the course of her life.
Her early exposure to technology changed her life’s direction. “Once I started working for HP, it just opened my mind to so many different things,” she shares. “So, I immediately dropped French… to take HTML, which is a coding language, and I just got excited about learning different things.”
Her career at HP has spanned over two decades and has been marked by innovation and a commitment to inclusion. As an intern, she submitted for a patent, and in 2014, she pioneered a project using social media for harvesting data.
“That’s the role that I actually created,” she shares. “That’s why I became a social media program manager… I helped formalize that process. I partnered with other people to create a tool that would enable us to organize the information the same way that we organize our core data.”
Today, Robles is a Global Program Manager at HP Inc., where she serves in the Recruiting, Inclusion, and Culture organization. With more than 20 years at HP, she began her career in the LaserJet business as a technical professional before transitioning into Human Resources in 2022 to pursue her passion, inclusion and belonging.
Her journey has not been without challenges. As a young Latina in a male-dominated field, she often found herself underestimated. She remembers being confused as the janitor or anything other than an engineer or a professional.
“You know what? I just did my work,” she shares. “I always smile.”
Robles’ roots and family values remain central to her identity and leadership style. Her leadership extends beyond technical achievements. She has championed programs for women returning to the workforce, such as the HorizonPulse returnship program, and has been a mentor to many.
She takes pride in her position as a program manager, consistently fostering strong connections with participants and witnessing firsthand how the program empowered their successful transition back into the workforce.
She also emphasizes the importance of mentorship.
“I strongly believe in the power of mentorship, both informal and formal, and that’s why I’m also a mentor,” she shares. “It’s a great way for us to share our knowledge and help others who come behind us.”
For Robles, the future of women in technology is one of resilience, progress, and opportunity. While challenges remain, she believes women will continue to push through and create space at every level of the industry.
“We stand on the shoulders of trailblazers who opened doors for us, and it’s our responsibility to keep moving forward so that future generations don’t just participate in tech but lead it,” she shares. “With the flexibility of remote work, online learning, and global collaboration, women who once faced barriers now have more pathways to enter and thrive in this field. The key is to continue providing mentorship, representation, and resources that empower women to see themselves as innovators, leaders, and change-makers. When women rise in technology, we bring diverse perspectives that strengthen not only our companies but also our communities.”
Beyond her professional career, she has been deeply committed to community service and leadership. She is a strong advocate for STEM education, working tirelessly to inspire and create opportunities for underrepresented students. Her efforts extend across mentoring, volunteer work, and cultural advocacy.
Her dedication has been widely recognized. She is the recipient of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers’ prestigious 2023 National Jaime Oaxaca Award, was named among Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40 in 2022, and has twice been honored as one of Idaho Business Review’s Women of the Year Honorees (2014 & 2025). Her journey and impact were also highlighted in the recent book Nosotras: Latinas in Idaho, released in 2025.
Robles holds a degree in Computer Information Systems from Boise State University and proudly embraces her heritage as co-founder of Danza Azteca Tonatiuh, an Aztec dance group she performs in with her five daughters. Success for Robles is not defined by titles or bank accounts, but by the life she is building with her faith and family at the center.
“It means raising a healthy, loving family where we support each other, live out our values, and do what we love with purpose,” she shares. “True success is having peace of mind, staying grounded in gratitude, and trusting God’s plan while making the most of today and preparing a better tomorrow. For me, success is using my gifts to create a positive impact in my community, inspiring my daughters, and leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love.”
Robles’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination, community, and a willingness to lead by example, we can inspire the next generation to dream bigger and reach higher.
“Something I want readers to know is that my story is proof that dreams are possible, no matter where you start. I came to the U.S. at age 11 without speaking English, and my first jobs were working in the fields alongside my family,” she shares. “Through hard work, faith, and a love for learning, I was able to overcome challenges and open doors I never imagined. If you stay determined, keep learning, and chase your dreams, you can create a future beyond what you once thought possible. Also, don’t wait for the “perfect moment”, it rarely comes. Start with what you have, where you are, and take one small step forward. Consistency in small actions creates powerful results over time. Trust yourself, stay grateful, and keep moving. Your future self will thank you.”
Vanesa Fernanda Carrillo
Product Marketing Manager
Microsoft
Vanesa Fernanda Carrillo’s story begins in a small, bustling home near the border of Mexico, El Paso, TX. Growing up, her family of six shared a two-bedroom apartment, moving every couple of years as rent increases forced them to seek new homes. Despite the challenges, her mother’s resilience left a lasting impression, instilling a strong work ethic in her.
Education became Carrillo’s ticket to a new life. She applied to 25 colleges and earned a full-ride scholarship to Georgetown University, where she discovered her calling.
“I always said education is the way out,” she shares. “I loved reading. I loved communication, storytelling, and so I took a marketing exploratory class, and it really delved into the different types of marketing that are tailored for different audiences.”
At Georgetown University, she discovered her passion for marketing, and a professor, who became a mentor, played a pivotal role in her career. Encouraged by mentors, she pursued product marketing, eventually landing at Microsoft. She did her research and found the Google bold immersion program, which piqued her interest in learning more about marketing. This early exposure set her on a path toward product marketing, a field where she could combine her love for storytelling with strategic business thinking.
At Microsoft, she quickly established herself as a leader and innovator. Today, she is the product marketing manager working on Edge. As the subject matter expert, she works to drive engagement, to optimize content for better impact, and to lead more users to want to use edge sites and Microsoft’s shopping tools. Her role requires cross-functional collaboration, creativity, and a deep understanding of both technology and user needs.
Carrillo’s accomplishments at Microsoft are numerous. She developed and executed a major Edge shopping campaign, working with designers, contractors, and finance teams to bring the project to life. She also led training sessions on AI tools for Latinos and early-career employees, an experience she describes as an honor.
“I helped do the presentation where I taught employees how to use Copilot, which is an AI tool that Microsoft reviews, and it's really helping employees,” she shares. “I think training early in someone’s career was one of my biggest accomplishments.”
Beyond her core responsibilities, she is a champion for diversity and inclusion.
She leads communications for Latino employee resource groups and co-founded the mentorship program for early-career Latinos at Microsoft.
Her journey was not without obstacles. One challenge she faced was when being in a room with male engineers, and she was the only woman. During these situations, she stands her ground and learned to be assertive and to document her experiences.
Carrillo’s story is one of perseverance, community, and giving back. Her journey is defined by her willingness to take risks, her commitment to learning, and her drive to uplift others. From her first marketing class to her leadership at Microsoft and in the Latino community, Carrillo’s professional story is one of growth, impact, and inspiration.
“If you're in the table, your voice needs to be heard,” she shares. “I always try to have somebody's opinion be heard, because if you're at the table, there's a reason why you're here.”