Peabody Award-Winning Journalist, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur, Inspiring Storyteller, Host & Moderator; Podcast Host, "Lost in Panama"

Miami, FL, USA

Mariana Atencio Biography

Navigating change and uncertainty in life is hard. It’s even harder when you’re not confident about who you are. Coming to America from Venezuela as a young girl, Mariana Atencio felt self-conscious about being different. She recounted her struggles to fit in and adapt to her new life in a TED talk that captured the hearts of tens of millions. Atencio’s message: What makes you different is what makes you special – unleash your potential by embracing your authenticity.

Atencio took that lesson into her journalism career as a national news anchor and network reporter. A born storyteller, Atencio worked to build bridges and understanding – reporting with her unique perspective from all over the globe, earning accolades and a prestigious Peabody Award along the way. Atencio’s bestselling book, "Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real," inspires people to leverage their personal and professional authenticity to supercharge their relationships, careers, workplace cultures, and happiness. Atencio continues to pursue stories that capture her curiosity as head of her own media production company.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Atencio graduated from Merici High School and received a journalism degree from Universidad Católica. When the government of Hugo Chávez shut down independent media outlets in her home country, she participated in student protests for democracy. After being assaulted in an armed robbery, Atencio left for the United States when she received a full-merit scholarship to Columbia University’s Journalism School and received her master’s degree in broadcast journalism.

Atencio got her big break anchoring and reporting at Univision, where she also filed stories for the Documentaries and Investigative Unit. She won a Peabody Award and an Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) Award for her work uncovering illegal weapons sold across the border in Mexico. She also won a Gracie Award for directing, writing, and reporting "PRESSionados," a documentary about press freedom in Latin America. She then went on to host "The Morning Show" on Fusion, the Disney and Univision joint venture, and co-anchored the 2016 Democratic Presidential debate.

Atencio made the crossover from Spanish to English-speaking television as a national correspondent for NBC News, where she was known for her boots-on-the-ground, engaging, and empathic fieldwork. Her investigative work on Latin America, the Latino community, cartel violence, and women’s and migrants’ rights earned her three Emmy nominations, a Hillman Prize, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Presidential Award.

In the course of her broadcast career, Atencio has reported from places like Haiti, the Syrian border, and China, underscoring the common threads in our humanity and that we are all more alike than different. She has interviewed dozens of notable figures, including Pope Francis, President Joe Biden, King Felipe VI of Spain, Nancy Pelosi, chef and humanitarian José Andrés, author Yuval Noah Harari, and director Francis Ford Coppola.

Atencio’s journey is featured on the award-winning HBO series "Habla," and People magazine called her storytelling platform “a media empire.” Ten years after she arrived in the United States, Atencio won Columbia’s First Decade Award for her impressive career as a journalist. Forbes España named Atencio to its list of 2025 Most Creative People in Business.

Atencio is a 2021 Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and spokesperson for the American Latino Museum in D.C. In 2022, she launched the hit true crime podcast series "Lost in Panama," an investigation into the disappearance of Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon, shedding light on the issue of missing women and girls in the region. "Lost in Panama" made Apple Podcasts’ top 10 list, and Atencio headlined Foreign Policy magazine’s HerPower summit on tackling gender inequality in the Americas.

BOOK Mariana Atencio

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 04/07/2026.

Mariana Atencio Speaking Topics

  • Real Matters: Building Trust in an Unreal World

    Curated feeds. Corporate spin. AI-generated everything. Building trust in modern times is harder than ever. It’s also one of the most valuable assets a leader or organization can possess. Employees, customers, and stakeholders are attracted to what feels real – and they can sense inauthenticity in an instant. When leaders show up with authenticity, they create cultures rooted in trust, engagement, and collaboration – the foundations of high-performing teams. Being real is the most powerful way to stand out in an unreal world of filtered perceptions and manufactured narratives. This doesn’t mean rejecting technology – quite the opposite. It means embracing it without losing the human touch in leadership and processes.

    Mariana Atencio unpacks how trust strengthens team resilience, drives innovation, and builds credibility both inside and outside the organization. Through strategic storytelling and powerful interactive exercises, Mariana delivers practical insights leaders can apply immediately: how to develop trust with those they lead, build authentic brands, and create workplaces where people want to bring their best every day – because when organizations are real, they thrive.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Identify and leverage your unique leadership abilities to build trust.
    • Develop the skills to determine, understand, and guide your team through change effectively.
    • Communicate with clarity, empathy, and transparency to navigate uncertainty.
    • Unite your teams around a shared purpose to drive collective progress.
    • Mariana’s interactive exercises make unforgettable lessons and customized experiences

  • Perfectly You: Leveraging the Power Within

    Everywhere we look, the world pressures us to perform, conform, and be perfect – often at the expense of being true to ourselves. But the truth is, when we show up authentically, we become magnetic and unlock greater resilience, confidence, and purpose. Authenticity not only helps us navigate change and uncertainty – it attracts opportunities and relationships that align with who we really are.

    Mariana Atencio’s unique energy and interactive dynamics give people permission to drop the masks and discover the bold power of being “Perfectly You.” Through inspiring stories and practical takeaways, attendees will learn how to embrace what makes them irreplaceable and tap into authenticity as a source of strength and well-being to give their best at work and in life. Audiences leave energized, empowered, and ready to stand out – not by trying to be perfect, but by having the courage to be real.

    Key Takeaways:

    • Harness the traits that make you unique (and “Perfectly You”) to resiliently navigate change and uncertainty with confidence.
    • Discover your sense of purpose and increase your personal fulfillment.
    • Learn the three-step framework authentic leaders use to cultivate cultures of trust, collaboration, and purpose.
    • Foster meaningful relationships to strengthen team culture and team building.
    • Mariana’s energy and empathy create breakthrough moments that audiences remember long after they leave.

Read More +

Mariana Atencio Videos

Mariana Atencio - Moderating, Interviewing & Hosting Reel

Mariana Atencio - Moderating, Interviewing & Hosting Reel

This is "MARIANA ATENCIO Moderating, Interviewing & Hosting Reel" by Great Event Speakers on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the...

Mariana Atencio Speaking Demo

Mariana Atencio Speaking Demo

Mariana Antencio - eMerge Americas

Mariana Antencio - eMerge Americas

The Future of Media and Entertainment panel

  • How do I book Mariana Atencio to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Mariana Atencio

    Speaking fees for Mariana Atencio, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Mariana Atencio are $20,000 - $30,000 for live events and $10,000 - $20,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Mariana Atencio, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Mariana Atencio speak about?

  • Where does Mariana Atencio travel from?

    Mariana Atencio generally travels from Miami, FL, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Mariana Atencio for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Mariana Atencio for your next private or corporate function.
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Mariana Atencio is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Real Matters: Building Trust in an Unreal World, Perfectly You: Leveraging the Power Within, Communicating Confidently: Cut Through The Noise & Get Heard, Moderating/Interviewing/Hosting and Executive Presence & Influence Workshop . The estimated speaking fee range to book Mariana Atencio for your event is $20,000 - $30,000. Mariana Atencio generally travels from Miami, FL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Gaby Natale, Linda Alvarado, Olga Custodio, Shayla Rivera and Sylvia Acevedo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Mariana Atencio for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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