For many Latinos, heritage is a thread that weaves together memories, traditions, and values. However, for Diana Fernandez, her Hispanic roots are more than just a part of her identity; they have shaped the way she views community, resilience, and innovation. Growing up, she found inspiration in the women of her family, particularly in the kitchen, where her mother’s cooking wasn’t just about food but about storytelling, connection, and empowerment. That sense of belonging and unwavering support became a foundation for how she would later approach her career, blending technology with a mission to drive meaningful change.
From Economics to Tech: Building Solutions That Matter
Diana’s career began in IT consulting, where she quickly realized that understanding market dynamics and competition was just the starting point. To truly make an impact, she needed to bridge the gap between business strategy and technological innovation.
“Despite not having an IT academic approach so far, since my first job was at an IT consulting firm, I soon started to apply my previous skills in market analysis and competition, and I had to learn more about technology and regulation. So I studied competition policy, market regulation, project management for development, and started to get into Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.”
This relentless drive to learn and adapt led her to contribute to groundbreaking projects, including a patented intelligent system integrating IoT and sprinkler technology. Now, she and her team are incorporating machine learning modules to optimize business metrics, proving that innovation can come from unexpected intersections of knowledge.
Technology as a Catalyst for Social Change
For Diana, technology isn’t just about progress–it’s about purpose. Her work is deeply rooted in social impact, focusing on bringing technological advancements to underserved communities.
“I have been able to observe the great technological lag that exists in various economic sectors, as well as the situation of poverty in which the vast majority of the population lives. At the same time, I have seen the enormous impact that innovative technologies such as IoT and machine learning bring to the production chain. It is my dream that this technology be accessible to as many people as possible.”
Her misting system, originally developed to control vector diseases such as Dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya, exemplifies how technology can directly address real-world problems, particularly in developing countries.
Never Stop Learning: Embracing AI to Drive Change
Committed to continuous learning, Diana enrolled in the No-Code AI and Machine Learning program to further her understanding of artificial intelligence and its applications in bridging technological and economic gaps between developed and developing nations.
“I firmly believe that state-of-the-art tech and innovation bring us an unprecedented opportunity to have a positive impact in the world around us, enhancing productivity and growth. For me, it is very important to bring meaning and a sense of purpose to the things I do. That’s why we focus our projects and developments on welfare, health, and the environment.”
Inspired by Generations of Resilience
Through every challenge and every breakthrough, Diana finds inspiration from the strong women in her life–particularly her mother.
“The best advice I’ve always had is my mom’s. A Latino, empowered, and successful woman, she has always encouraged me to believe in myself and work hard in achieving all my dreams, always striving to upgrade my skills while being happy in the process. She has taught me happiness is a choice, attainable whenever we want, because we only have one life, and it’s worth living the best way we can, sharing both our wins and losses to grow and make a better world alongside the ones we love.”
For Diana, technology isn’t just a career; it’s a tool for empowerment, a means to create impact, and a bridge to a future where innovation uplifts communities, industries, and generations to come.
