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Vanesa Carrilo, a Mexican American born and raised in El Paso, Texas, is a product marketing manager at Microsoft, where she works at the intersection of design, strategy, and experimentation. She leads projects that optimize web performance and user experience, collaborating with engineers, designers, and product leads to improve how millions of people interact with Microsoft Edge. Rooted in her border-town upbringing, Carrillo brings a strong sense of culture, community, and creativity to her work.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been leading a diversity and inclusion initiative within my organization by launching a video series on our internal Microsoft Teams site. The series spotlighted real stories from Latina employees and was designed to uplift underrepresented voices across the company. It reached over 20,000 views and became a powerful tool for connection, representation, and storytelling.
I also created and managed an internal newsletter to spotlight wins and shoutouts across my org, boosting team morale and engagement. Additionally, I led all Latino focused communications for our company, partnering with the Latino ERG to amplify cultural moments, drive awareness, and build community. As Communications Pillar Co-Lead for over 1,000 members of Microsoft’s first Early in Career ERG Network for Hispanic/Latino employees, I’ve helped shape messaging, organize campaigns, and uplift the voices of our comunidad across the company.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
Starting Latinas & Lattes in a city where I once felt alone and out of place. It’s become a space where Latinas can meet, connect, and just be, through cafecitos, career talks, and wellness workshops. Watching it grow from a small idea to a recurring, intentional space has been one of the most fulfilling and grounding parts of my life.
What do you do today to impact your community?
Every month, I host Latinas & Lattes events to bring Latinas together, whether it’s over coffee, a workshop, or just a casual meetup. I also volunteer with ALPFA and help early in career professionals with resume feedback, confidence building, and job prep. It’s important to me to create the kind of space and support I once needed but didn’t always have access to.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I’d love to continue scaling Latinas & Lattes into new cities, growing its impact and reach. I’m also exploring the idea of pursuing a master’s in organizational psychology or computer science. I’ve been really inspired by how storytelling, empathy, and leadership shape company culture. One of the most energizing projects I’ve led recently involved building an internal brand for Microsoft Teams that focused on elevating employee voices and seeing that project backed by leadership reminded me of the kind of impact I want to continue creating.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
I’m big on creating more pathways for Latinas. I’ve seen so many of us be talented, creative, and ready, but not given the same shot. I want to help change that by building spaces and opportunities where we feel seen, supported, and hyped up. Whether it’s through community, mentorship, or just putting each other on, I’m all about making sure we don’t have to figure it all out alone.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
After one of our Latinas & Lattes meetups, a girl told me, “This was the first time I felt like I belonged here in Seattle.” That one sentence stuck with me. It reminded me that even small things, a flyer, a cafecito, an invitation, can help someone feel seen. That’s when I knew the work mattered.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
That I left my hometown. That I said yes to things before I felt ready. That I tried everything until something clicked. I’d tell her: Try it all!!! Don’t play it safe. Leaving home was the beginning of becoming who I really am.
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
Making cafecito late at night with my mom and sister, like 11pm cafecito. It’s never really about the caffeine, it’s about bonding. It’s our quiet way of saying “we’re here, we’re present, we’re okay.” That ritual, even today is a moment of peace para calmarnos y reconectar.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
Lately I’ve been loving “Buenos Días Alegría” by Luis Miguel. It’s such a feel-good song that instantly lifts my mood and makes me want to take on the day with a smile. Definitely one of my motivation go tos right now!”
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Connect with Vanesa Carrillo on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
