“Count to one hundred.”
Those were the words spoken to Mariana Atencio as she knelt on a mountain trail in her hometown of Caracas, Venezuela, a gun pressed to her forehead. In that instant, she learned a lesson that would shape everything that came next: when the world turns chaotic and certainty disappears, trust becomes the currency that determines what happens next. In a crisis, you survive by finding the one clear internal signal you can rely on.
That moment became the catalyst for a 15-year career reporting from environments where the stakes are real and outcomes change lives. Mariana went on to become a news anchor for Univision and a national correspondent for NBC News, also filing for ABC. From Category 5 hurricanes to international conflict zones, she witnessed the same pattern: high-performing teams do not break down because they lack technology. They break down when trust erodes, communication gets cloudy, and alignment fractures.
To understand what builds trust when uncertainty is the baseline, Mariana has interviewed world-class leaders and elite performers, from Pope Francis and the King of Spain to icons like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, translating their lessons into practical, leadership-ready frameworks. Today, she brings those tools to organizations and leadership teams, helping them close the Trust Gap so decisions move faster, collaboration strengthens, and execution becomes more consistent especially during periods of change.
Mariana’s work first reached a global audience when her TEDx talk on trust and authenticity, “What makes YOU special?”, went viral. Viewed by over 25 million people, it established her as a global authority on the power of trust as a performance multiplier. She expanded that message in her bestselling book Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real, showing why “being real” is not a soft skill but a competitive advantage in a world saturated with noise and AI-generated content.
Mariana is also a sought-after host and moderator for high-profile gatherings, known for guiding leaders into sharp, candid conversations that deliver real insight. She is hired year after year for global events and serves as the host of a yearly 8-hour televised program for Microsoft, acting as a strategic editorial partner to draw out clear, high-value takeaways from C-suite executives.
Originally from Venezuela, Mariana came to the United States on a scholarship to Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Her reporting has been honored with a Peabody Award, a Gracie Award, and three national Emmy nominations. She is a frequent on-air analyst across major networks, a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, and serves on the board of the future Smithsonian American Latino Museum in Washington, D.C.
¡Hola! I’m Mariana.
1984
I grew up in Venezuela — a country full of color, rhythm, and contrasts.
From Caracas, I went to summer camp in Brainerd, Minnesota with my little sister. We weren’t from there. We didn’t speak English. And that’s when I realized I felt different, and I wanted so desperately to belong. We all do. That summer —between bunk beds and brave smiles — my lifelong obsession with authenticity, trust, and storytelling began.
2002
I graduated high school top of my class and enrolled in Communications at Universidad Católica in Caracas. I knew I wanted to become a journalist and use my voice to help others.
2007
I watched authoritarianism gradually engulf my home country. I joined other students to protest for democracy. After being assaulted in the mountains, I decided I needed to leave to tell the stories I couldn’t tell there.
2008
I finally came to the U.S. on a scholarship to study journalism at Columbia University — arriving in New York with ambition, an accent, and a lot to prove.
2009–2010
Landed my first job at El Diario, the largest Spanish-language newspaper in the U.S. Then the recession hit and I was laid off. I had to rebuild from what felt like zero, but it didn't stop me.
2011
Moved to Miami for an opportunity at Univision. Investigations. Documentaries. Field work. Anything I could get my hands on. Everything was new and hard. I cried several times in the parking lot, but I put in the work.
2012
A months-long investigation into a gun-walking scandal earned our little team a Peabody Award. When journalism earns trust, it can change outcomes; and the hard work earned me a seat in the anchor chair.
2013–2014
Got my big break in English at Fusion, Univision and Disney’s English-language venture. My show was canceled after one year. I rebuilt — again.
2016
I joined NBC News as a national correspondent, the only Latina reporter at the time. I covered hurricanes, earthquakes, war zones — and interviewed world leaders. In every crisis, I saw the same thing: When trust erodes, everything erodes.
2017
Gave my TEDx Talk, “What Makes You Special?” — about feeling different, and realizing that what sets you apart is often your greatest strength (I even told the story about going to summer camp in Minnesota). It went viral (+ 25M views and translated into 13 languages!).
2018
I lost my dad suddenly during the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. It was devastating.
2019
Poured everything I had learned into my first book: “Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real”. It became a roadmap for authenticity. I toured nationwide, connecting with audiences in a more intimate way. I found a deeper meaning inspiring people with my message. Something in me changed.
2020
I realized I wasn’t happy. I got divorced. I quit my job at NBC, and I sold my house. The fear was real. But so was the clarity, and the trust I had in myself, and the certainty that I could do something more meaningful to help others. I co-founded GoLike Media with my sister, Gra — building a platform rooted in clarity, trust, and human connection.
2021
I began keynoting globally on authenticity— bringing the message of “Perfectly You” to organizations like Ford, JPMorgan, and Spotify. And I continue expanding on that work every day.
2023-2024
Produced original shows about issues I deeply care about: “Lost in Panama” a true crime investigative podcast about missing women in Central America; “Startup Series: Latam”, a digital interview series featuring entrepreneurs in the Global South, and Presente! The Latinas Speak Up Listening Tour with Eva Longoria.
2025
Started my community on Substack. I launched my first online course: Our Executive Communication Program with my sister, Gra (and our pup Blue!). +3,000 people registered!
2026
With the news developments in Venezuela, I became one of the leading independent voices reporting on my home country. Debuted my new keynote on Trust in the Age of AI in 4 continents. From Saudi Arabia to Malaysia, Mexico and Spain, helping millions of people stay grounded and thrive during disruption and change.
