HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rocio Medina van Nierop

Purpose • Influence • Courage

When Rocio Medina van Nierop co-founded Latinas in Tech in 2014, she set out to create opportunities for Latina professionals in an industry where representation at leadership levels remained limited. What began as a vision to support and connect Latina women in technology has since evolved into a global movement that has impacted more than 40,000 women through mentorship, professional development, leadership training, and career advancement opportunities.

For more than two decades, Rocio has combined innovation, leadership, and advocacy to help create pathways for future generations of Latina professionals. Her journey reflects the power of purpose-driven leadership and a commitment to ensuring that talent, opportunity, and representation intersect in meaningful ways.

Rocio Medina van Nieropwill be recognized during  our HL | Milestone Series – Silicon Valley event, taking place on June 17, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/41B5Z3J

Throughout her career, Rocio has demonstrated that leadership extends beyond personal achievement. Prior to leading Latinas in Tech full-time as Chief Executive Officer, she held leadership positions within the technology sector, including serving as Director of Product Marketing at Prezi. In 2019, she made the decision to leave her corporate career and dedicate herself fully to expanding the impact of Latinas in Tech.

Her influence extends well beyond the technology industry. As founder of the Sierra Viva Project, she championed environmental conservation, scientific research, and community sustainability initiatives. Today, she continues to serve nonprofit organizations through governance and advisory leadership, helping organizations create meaningful impact while advancing causes that improve lives and strengthen communities.

A Journey Shared with Courage and Transparency

What makes Rocio’s story especially powerful is her willingness to openly share both her professional accomplishments and her personal challenges.

Through her website, “My Journey with Cancer,” Rocio offers an honest and deeply personal look at her experience navigating cancer treatment, recovery, and resilience. Rather than stepping away from leadership, she has chosen to use her voice to inspire others facing their own challenges while documenting the realities of balancing health, purpose, family, and community.

The site serves as both a personal journal and a source of encouragement for others, reflecting the same spirit of service and advocacy that has defined her professional career.

Explore Rocio’s Journey:
👉 https://rociomedina.com

“Life’s most meaningful milestones are often measured not by the obstacles we avoid, but by the strength, grace, and determination we demonstrate while moving through them.”

Milestone Moments

  • Co-founded Latinas in Tech and helped grow it into a global network serving more than 40,000 women.
  • Led one of the most influential organizations dedicated to advancing Latina representation and leadership in technology.
  • Transitioned from a successful corporate technology career to focus full-time on mission-driven community leadership.
  • Founded Sierra Viva Project, supporting conservation, scientific research, and sustainable community initiatives.
  • Served in leadership and advisory roles across nonprofit and technology organizations.
  • Represented Hispanic leadership on international stages, including participation in discussions surrounding the World Economic Forum in Davos.
  • Featured speaker at SXSW, TEDx, Dreamforce, L’Attitude, and other global leadership forums.
  • Earned national and international recognition for advancing opportunities for women and Latinas in technology.
  • Honored for her leadership in mentorship, innovation, community impact, and professional development.
  • Recognized as a changemaker helping shape the future of leadership and representation in the United States.
  • Continues to inspire communities through advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and her public journey of resilience and hope.

Today, Rocio’s story represents more than professional accomplishment. It reflects the impact that one leader can have when she chooses to create opportunities for others. Through her work, thousands of women have gained access to mentorship, leadership development, professional networks, and the confidence to pursue careers and executive roles within the technology industry.

Her current journey has added another chapter to that legacy one defined by resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Even while navigating personal challenges, Rocio continues to inspire communities around the world through her advocacy, leadership, and willingness to share her experiences openly and authentically.

Rocio Medina van Nierop’s legacy is measured not only by the organization she helped build, but by the thousands of lives she has touched, empowered, and inspired along the way.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.