Doing It Afraid: Leadership, Change, and Building What Didn’t Exist with Marie Quintana
Mon Feb 02 2026
Today’s Corporate Cafecito episode is live, and I’m bringing Marie Quintana back because her journey cannot be contained in a single conversation.
In this episode, we go deep into the corporate chapters that shaped her leadership. From choosing systems engineering at IBM before laptops were even a thing, to leading complex transformations at PepsiCo during major acquisitions, to building what became the Multicultural Center of Excellence at a time when multicultural strategy wasn’t even part of the business conversation.
What makes this conversation powerful isn’t the titles. It’s the leadership moments we don’t talk about enough. The meetings that didn’t land. The resistance to change. The fear in the room. And Marie’s decision to stay, listen, and meet people one on one because real leadership starts with humanity.
We talk about non linear career paths, curiosity as a strategy, and what it means to keep walking into rooms where you are still the only Latina. Doing it afraid. Doing it anyway. Si tú puedes, tú puedes.
If your career path hasn’t looked the way you thought it would, if you’re stepping into something new, or if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready, this episode will meet you right where you are.
📍 Learn More
📘 Book: https://a.co/d/1P1hRV1
🌐 Website: https://www.mariequintana.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariequintana/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marietquintana/
Where to Find the Corporate Cafecito Podcast:
🌐 https://www.corporatecafecito.com
▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@CorporateCafecito
🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/4hIRSdg9Mu4QJo0TMfeWMO
🍏 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/corporate-cafecito/id1650963959
📱 https://www.tiktok.com/@corporate.cafecito
Support the show
If you’d like to join Nallely and Carlos from Corporate Cafecito for a cafecito conversation, collaborate, or suggest a topic that matters to our community, we would love to hear from you. Corporate Cafecito centers real conversations that move culture and careers forward. Visit www.corpcafecito.com/contact-us
or email admin@corpcafecito.com.
Elevar Development, founded by Nallely Suárez Gass, helps professionals and organizations grow with clarity and purpose. With over two decades of corporate experience, Nallely is known for helping people lead authentically, uncover strengths, and make confident, aligned decisions. Through personalized coaching and impactful workshops, Elevar creates practical, lasting change. Learn more at www.elevardevelopment.com or email Nallely@elevardevelopment.com.
Every business decision carries social, political, and economic considerations. Avizo Consulting helps organizations navigate complexity with intention, cultural awareness, and strategic insight. Carlos Butler Vale partners with leaders who want their values and actions aligned. Learn more at www.avizoconsulting.com or email carlos@avizoconsulting.com.
Two leaders. One shared co...
More
Today’s Corporate Cafecito episode is live, and I’m bringing Marie Quintana back because her journey cannot be contained in a single conversation. In this episode, we go deep into the corporate chapters that shaped her leadership. From choosing systems engineering at IBM before laptops were even a thing, to leading complex transformations at PepsiCo during major acquisitions, to building what became the Multicultural Center of Excellence at a time when multicultural strategy wasn’t even part of the business conversation. What makes this conversation powerful isn’t the titles. It’s the leadership moments we don’t talk about enough. The meetings that didn’t land. The resistance to change. The fear in the room. And Marie’s decision to stay, listen, and meet people one on one because real leadership starts with humanity. We talk about non linear career paths, curiosity as a strategy, and what it means to keep walking into rooms where you are still the only Latina. Doing it afraid. Doing it anyway. Si tú puedes, tú puedes. If your career path hasn’t looked the way you thought it would, if you’re stepping into something new, or if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re ready, this episode will meet you right where you are. 📍 Learn More 📘 Book: https://a.co/d/1P1hRV1 🌐 Website: https://www.mariequintana.com/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariequintana/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marietquintana/ Where to Find the Corporate Cafecito Podcast: 🌐 https://www.corporatecafecito.com ▶️ https://www.youtube.com/@CorporateCafecito 🎧 https://open.spotify.com/show/4hIRSdg9Mu4QJo0TMfeWMO 🍏 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/corporate-cafecito/id1650963959 📱 https://www.tiktok.com/@corporate.cafecito Support the show If you’d like to join Nallely and Carlos from Corporate Cafecito for a cafecito conversation, collaborate, or suggest a topic that matters to our community, we would love to hear from you. Corporate Cafecito centers real conversations that move culture and careers forward. Visit www.corpcafecito.com/contact-us or email admin@corpcafecito.com. Elevar Development, founded by Nallely Suárez Gass, helps professionals and organizations grow with clarity and purpose. With over two decades of corporate experience, Nallely is known for helping people lead authentically, uncover strengths, and make confident, aligned decisions. Through personalized coaching and impactful workshops, Elevar creates practical, lasting change. Learn more at www.elevardevelopment.com or email Nallely@elevardevelopment.com. Every business decision carries social, political, and economic considerations. Avizo Consulting helps organizations navigate complexity with intention, cultural awareness, and strategic insight. Carlos Butler Vale partners with leaders who want their values and actions aligned. Learn more at www.avizoconsulting.com or email carlos@avizoconsulting.com. Two leaders. One shared co...