Mentor Spotlight: Mariana Quirós on the Power of Perspective and Purpose-Driven Leadership

When asked about essential resources for women in tech, Mariana offers a perspective that sets her apart from conventional advice:

"While women in tech often focus on technical books, tools, and resources—as is expected in such a demanding field—I recommend complementing this technical expertise with knowledge in leadership, neuroscience-based human behavior, and change management."

She specifically recommends diving deeper into understanding human dynamics:

"If you're comfortable reading in Spanish, I highly recommend following Rubén Duque on social media and reading his latest book, 'Equipos Invencibles' (Invincible Teams). His blend of experience, deep knowledge, and inspiring energy—combined with his outstanding human qualities—makes him a powerful source of leadership insight and transformation."

This recommendation reflects Mariana's core philosophy: technical skills get you in the door, but understanding human behavior and team dynamics drives lasting success.

Mariana's journey to mentorship began with a profound personal realization:

"A few years ago, I came to a powerful realization: I experience a deep sense of happiness and fulfillment every time I help a colleague, friend, or family member overcome a challenge or achieve a goal. That was the moment I was finally able to articulate my purpose in life—helping people become better, live fuller lives, or simply find happiness."

This clarity led to practical action when, in 2023, she joined the leadership team for the launch of the Women-In-Tech Panama chapter as Program Director. Her initial approach to the WIT-h Mentoring program was characteristically strategic:

"While reviewing the Mentoring Program, I decided to join WIT-h Mentoring as a mentor myself. My initial goal was to 'experience the process' firsthand so I could better design our local chapter's program."

What started as professional research quickly transformed into personal passion:

"But to be honest? I fell in love with the experience. Since then, I've continuously mentored amazing women. Each new mentee brings a unique opportunity to offer support and guidance—and in return, I learn just as much. Every interaction has taught me valuable lessons about work, about life, and about the power of human connection."

One of Mariana's most impactful mentorship moments demonstrates her unique ability to help others shift perspective through personal storytelling:

"It happened during the first call with my most recent mentee. We were getting to know each other and setting the goals for our mentorship. She was feeling deeply frustrated—stuck in a situation where she felt her female leader was limiting her growth."

Mariana's approach was both intuitive and strategic:

"As I listened, I saw a bright, capable woman who was feeling completely disheartened. To support her, I shared a personal story from my own life—not work-related, but one that taught me a powerful lesson. I told her how, in a challenging moment, I learned to 'rethink' the situation and shift my perspective simply by paying attention to the quality of my thoughts."