Diana Monterrubio is a strategic leader passionate about equality, Tech Sourcing, and the power of writing to drive change. With over a decade of experience in procurement, she thrives on challenging the status quo and promoting equity in the corporate world. Her work is where she focuses on fostering collaboration and building innovative strategies. She is dedicated to creating opportunities for growth and inclusion, always striving to make a positive impact on both the business and the people it serves.
In the early days of my career in technology, I attended one of my first major conferences. It was an event where I found myself surrounded by a sea of seasoned professionals, predominantly older men with careers that towered over my own, and yet, I had to negotiate with them. The industry I had chosen was, and still is, largely male-dominated, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider—a young woman trying to find her place in a world that didn’t always seem to have a place for me.
After weeks of preparation, I ventured into the workshops, eager to learn as much as I could about an industry that I had fallen in love with. By the end of the day, I was exhausted, my mind swirling with new ideas and information. But there was still a cocktail hour at 5 PM, and I decided to attend, even though I felt like I was running on fumes.
As I entered the room, I noticed a familiar face—a woman I had seen earlier in one of the conferences. She smiled and introduced me to the group she was with, a mix of professionals deep in conversation. After a while, I was introduced to a woman who couldn’t have been more than 50, radiating warmth and confidence. She introduced herself as the CIO of a multinational company. Instantly, I felt a connection with her. I smiled, trying to mask the overwhelming mix of emotions running through me, and asked, “Did I hear correctly, a female CIO?” She smiled back and confirmed, “Yes.”
A silence settled over the circle of women around us. I believe we all felt the weight of that moment, the unspoken recognition of what it meant. But no one said anything; we just smiled. And then, breaking that silence, to my own surprise, I found myself asking, “Can I give you a hug?”
It took me a moment to process her silence. I wasn’t usually someone who expressed affection so openly, especially not in professional settings, but in that moment, I felt an undeniable need to embrace her. I wanted to thank her for paving the way, for being courageous, for being the only female CIO at such a significant event. My heart pounded as I waited for her response. For a moment, I panicked, thinking I had overstepped. No one spoke; I felt the embarrassment rising within me. But then, she met my gaze, and to my relief,
she smiled, seemingly surprised by my request. It took her a moment, but she softly replied, “Yes.” And then, she gave me a truly great embrace, one that I’ll never forget.
Years have passed since that day—a global pandemic reshaped our world, and my perspective along with it. I’ve grown into my role as the Global Director of IT Procurement at Teleperformance, and my mindset has evolved and matured. But that feeling, that need to connect, to acknowledge the trailblazers who came before me, has only intensified. She may not have realized it, but she inspired me, and in that moment, she gave me hope.
Five years later, at another conference, I found myself in a similar situation, but this time, the roles were reversed. A young woman approached a good friend of mine, bursting with energy and confidence. She knew her industry inside and out, clearly well-prepared for the interactions that lay ahead. Watching her, I was reminded of myself—of the nerves I felt at my first conference, the hours of reading I did to ensure I wouldn’t feel out of place.
I joined the conversation, and my friend introduced us. When she asked what I did, and I told her about my job, I immediately found her expression familiar. It was a feeling I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully put into words, but there it was—the unspoken language between two women who know all too well the challenges of reaching the positions they hold.
And then, with a big smile, she asked me, “Can I give you a hug?”
It took me a moment to reply, not because I didn’t want to hug her, but because at that moment, I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of humility and honor. Here was a young woman, standing where I once stood, seeing in me what I had seen in that CIO years before. I wanted to thank her for recognizing me, for understanding the silent struggles we both knew too well, for being brave enough to ask. I wanted to say so much; I was deeply honored. I took a long breath; no one spoke. I was almost moved to tears. Though there was so much I wanted to say, the only thing I managed to get out, almost as a whisper, before we hugged, was a soft “Yes.”