First-Gens in Tech

Martha Niño was born in Mexico in poverty. She came to the United States undocumented passing as a stranger’s child. It was risky but the risk paid off – and although Martha got kicked out of high school she has had an amazing career as a Silicon Valley professional of over 25 years working in hardware, software and mobile. She is currently at Adobe where she has spent over 18 years as a Senior Marketing Leader. She is part of the only 2% of Latinas to be in this field.    She didn’t do this alone – it took many good people who saw value in her.  Aside from her job in tech, she is a writer, a speaker and an advocate for the underserved community. Up until a few years ago, she had never spoke or written about her beginnings and she hasn’t stopped since. It is her hope that with her experiences and reflections others can see proof that the impossible is possible. She is proof.

Brianna Doe is a 3x entrepreneur and the co-founder of Verbatim, a demand generation & influencer marketing agency. As a first-gen leader, she's passionate about helping marketers and first-gen professionals break into tech & build careers they love.

BobbyD is a seasoned engineer turned global speaker with 20+ years of experience in technology and engineering. Specializing in the practices of site reliability engineering (SRE) with an emphasis on hyper-scale distributed infrastructure.

I’m Fiona, a Bay Area native and first generation individual. I’ve worked at startups and various tech companies such as ServiceNow, Nvidia, Intel, and Docusign. Currently, I’m a product marketing manager at Gemelo.ai.

Sterling Smith, a dynamic software engineer turned entrepreneurial trailblazer, embarked on his journey from the vibrant tech scene of Washington, DC, to the entrepreneurial hub of Austin, Texas, back in 2013. With a wealth of industry experience garnered at renowned giants like Walmart, Lockheed Martin, and Booz Allen Hamilton, Sterling decided to forge his own path.

In 2013, Sterling founded LaunchPartner.co, a venture with a noble mission – to empower non-technical subject matter experts (SMEs) by assisting them in launching their Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This endeavor showcased Sterling's dedication to bridging the gap between visionaries and the world of technology.

In 2017, Sterling's entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish Sandbox Commerce, a revolutionary platform that enables traditional retailers to swiftly deploy bespoke, highly scalable mobile apps without the need for coding expertise. This bold venture demonstrated Sterling's commitment to innovation in the retail sector.

Stepping into the realm of angel investing in 2018, Sterling's vision expanded even further. His passion for supporting startups and innovative ideas led him to join Atento Capital in early 2022 as the Managing Director, spearheading the fund's expansion into the thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem of Northwest Arkansas.

In the same year, Sterling embarked on a mission close to his heart, founding Black Freelancer, a visionary talent marketplace. This platform revolutionizes the world of work by connecting large corporations with talented Black professionals, fostering collaboration and support on both part-time and full-time projects. Black Freelancer has rapidly grown into the largest community of Black Freelancers globally, showcasing Sterling's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Sterling Smith is not just a founder but a catalyst for change. His journey is a testament to his unwavering dedication to innovation, entrepreneurship, and driving positive impact in the tech and startup landscape.

Camilo is a passionate content creator, digital marketer and AI enthusiast. His ability to connect with diverse cultures allows him to develop content strategies that resonate deeply with audiences. Camilo's commitment to education is evident in his work as a content creator and teacher. He captivates audiences with his emotional storytelling, whether through videography, still photography or podcast. Collaborative by nature, Camilo thrives in team settings and believes that great ideas come from diverse perspectives. Camilo's passion for life extends to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Jose is a tech leader with a background in B2B SaaS, fintech and customer success. His goal is to generate a positive impact in Latin America through tech entrepreneurship. He holds a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and an MBA from MIT Sloan.

Kate is an experienced early talent expert adept at building strategic recruiting and training programs designed to support emerging leaders. She brings a background in higher education career development, technology and finance recruiting along with deep experience building career success programs. Kate is a highly connected influencer, organization leader, and innovative thinker recognized for designing impactful initiatives that are agile, scalable, and purposeful. She has led global programs covering North America, EMEA, APAC and South America.