HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rocio Medina van Nierop

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rocio Medina van Nierop

Jun 6, 2026 | Milestone

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.

Cal Poly Pomona Names Vanya Quiñones as University President

Cal Poly Pomona Names Vanya Quiñones as University President

Mar 16, 2026 | Women and Leadership

Cal Poly Pomona Names Vanya Quiñones as University President

by Richard Sandoval, for HL and Inland Valley Living

Women’s History Month Reflection

Veteran educator and scientist becomes the first Latina to lead the institution

The California State University Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Vanya Quiñones as the next president of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, marking a historic milestone for the university and the broader California State University system.

Quiñones, who currently serves as president of California State University, Monterey Bay, will assume the role on July 1, 2026, becoming the eighth president of Cal Poly Pomona and the first Latina to lead the institution.

Quiñones’ 30-year career in education as a scientist, researcher and academic administrator has been centered in student success and diversity in the arts and sciences.

Her appointment comes at a time when the university continues to expand its role as one of Southern California’s leading institutions for applied learning, innovation, and workforce development.

“I am profoundly honored to be chosen to lead Cal Poly Pomona, become part of its long and impressive history and contribute to its future vision,” Quiñones said. “I am drawn to Cal Poly Pomona’s strong focus on measuring success by the opportunities it creates and the impact it has on students, families and the surrounding community.”

Quiñones emphasized her commitment to working closely with faculty, students, and community partners to advance the university’s mission.

“I welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the campus community to support the continued success of the institution and advance its mission for years to come,” she said.

A Record of Leadership and Growth

CSU leadership highlighted Quiñones’ strategic leadership and results-driven approach to higher education.

“Dr. Quiñones is an innovative and data-driven decision maker who aligns institutional priorities with student needs to support immediate progress and long-term stability,” said Diego Arambula, vice chair of the CSU Board of Trustees and chair of the Cal Poly Pomona Presidential Search Committee.

“Under her leadership at Cal State Monterey Bay, the university has thrived, and the committee is confident that her record of success will continue in service to Cal Poly Pomona.”

Since becoming president of Cal State Monterey Bay in 2022, Quiñones has led the university through a period of renewed momentum. During her tenure, the institution experienced nearly 30 percent enrollment growth, reversing several years of declining student numbers.

Her leadership has emphasized expanding experiential learning opportunities, strengthening student mentorship programs, and creating clearer academic pathways for students. The university has also improved its financial outlook while increasing research funding and philanthropic support.

A Career Dedicated to Student Success

Quiñones brings more than three decades of experience in higher education, including roles as a scientist, researcher, and academic leader focused on advancing student success in the arts and sciences.

Before joining the CSU system, she served as provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Pace University in New York, where she oversaw academic programs, student academic services, and information technology while also holding the rank of full professor of psychology.

Earlier in her career, Quiñones spent 21 years at the City University of New York’s Hunter College, where she rose through the ranks from assistant professor to department chair in psychology before becoming associate provost for Student Success and Retention.

During her time at CUNY, she secured more than $25 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health, private foundations, and the U.S. Department of Education. Much of the funding supported research and academic initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for a wide range of students pursuing careers in science and research.

A Scientist and Pioneer in Research

Beyond her leadership in higher education, Quiñones is a respected scientist and scholar.

A neurobiologist and biopsychologist, she has published more than 70 peer-reviewed research papers and was among the early researchers whose work helped identify gender differences in the brain, contributing to a shift in how scientists approached neurological and behavioral research.

Her academic background includes:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology – University of Puerto Rico
  • Master of Science in Cell Biology – University of Puerto Rico
  • Ph.D. in Neurobiology and Physiology – Rutgers University

Looking Ahead

As Cal Poly Pomona prepares for its next chapter, Quiñones’ leadership is expected to build on the university’s strong reputation for hands-on learning, community engagement, and preparing graduates for California’s evolving economy.

Her appointment also reflects the growing presence of Latina leadership within higher education  an important milestone for one of the nation’s most diverse public university systems.

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