Mariana Atencio is on a mission to help people supercharge their careers, workplace cultures, and happiness by embracing authenticity. Originally from Venezuela, she learned firsthand how feeling different could be isolating, a realization that later fueled her storytelling and journalism. After graduating from Columbia University, she built a journalism career dedicated to fostering understanding and building bridges. As a national news anchor and correspondent, her reporting took her from Haiti to Hong Kong to the Syrian border, earning her a prestigious Peabody Award.
Her TEDx talk, What Makes YOU Special?, viewed more than 23 million times, propelled Mariana into global demand as a speaker. Her bestselling book Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real champions authenticity as the key to purpose and success. Today, as head of her own media production company, she creates projects that fuel her curiosity while continuing to deliver impactful keynotes and moderate major events.
Mariana’s career began at Univision, where she reported for the Investigative Unit and earned both a Peabody Award and an Investigative Reporters and Editors Award. She later received a Gracie Award for her documentary PRESSionados on press freedom in Latin America. She hosted The Morning Show on Fusion and co-anchored the 2016 Democratic Presidential debate. Crossing into English-language television, she became a national correspondent at NBC News, gaining recognition for empathetic, ground-level reporting on Latin America, migration, and human rights. Her work earned three Emmy nominations, a Hillman Prize, and the NAHJ Presidential Award.
She has interviewed world leaders including Pope Francis, President Joe Biden, and King Felipe VI of Spain. A Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, Mariana also launched the hit podcast Lost in Panama in 2022, spotlighting missing women in Latin America.
Earned journalism master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School Journalism.
Formerly correspondent for NBC News, covering national and international stories.
Co-founded GoLike multimedia production company in 2020, emphasizing storytelling.
Started journalism career anchoring and reporting at Univision television network.
Reported extensively across Latin America, covering politics, culture, and migration.
Early years shaped by Venezuela’s political turmoil and media restrictions.
Fluent in English and Spanish, bridging diverse audiences with journalism.
Public speaking emphasizes empowerment, authenticity, and cultural connection.
Known for energetic presence, blending broadcast clarity with warmth.
Delivered TEDx talk “What Makes You Special?” viewed widely.
Keynote speaker at conferences worldwide on authenticity and empowerment.
Moderated global panels addressing leadership, diversity, and storytelling innovation.
Guest speaker at HerPower Summit by Foreign Policy magazine.
Recipient of prestigious Peabody Award for impactful investigative reporting.
Earned Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Award uncovering weapon smuggling.
Honored with Gracie Award for documentary “PRESSionados” on press freedom.
Won Columbia University’s First Decade Award recognizing career excellence.
Named recipient of National Association of Hispanic Journalists Presidential Award.
Three-time Emmy nominee for coverage on migration and human rights.
Awarded Hillman Prize for journalistic integrity and social justice reporting.
HBO’s Habla series featured her journey as immigrant journalist.
Author of bestselling memoir Perfectly You, inspiring authenticity and resilience.
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