Where did your story begin?

My story started back in 2010, on my very first day of college! I realized that I made the right decision to follow my calling and pursue a career in Journalism.

After graduating, I was fortunate enough to start my professional path with opportunities that allowed me to get the best of both worlds: advertising and communications, working as a Digital Journalist and Social Media Manager. These experiences have helped me become a true team player and enhance my creative skills.

What was a pivotal life moment where your story changed?

I have had a couple of pivotal moments. However, related to my career, some people made comments about the fact that becoming a Journalist was overrated or not as relevant because everyone is a communicator now, and the digital era “makes it all so easy.” This happened to me while I was still in college.

Since then, I have dedicated myself to proving them all wrong. Today, we get to see even more that communication departments are crucial in business lines and key strategies for various industries.

Communication is so POWERFUL! Even though we can all be good content creators, there is a difference with those of us who chose this profession and share that true passion of not only adding value with great stories, but also generating a positive impact with our work. 

What inspired you to become a storyteller?

Writing is my best form of expression ever since I was a girl carrying my journal everywhere. Daring to tell stories and finding out that more people identify with your words is the most rewarding thing. And this not only applies on a personal level, but also when you see the brands you work with grow thanks to your contributions and passion for what you do.

What woman has made the biggest impact on your story?

I could not name just one, I am fortunate to be surrounded by inspiring women every day: family members, coworkers, friends… What a blessing! But without a doubt, the first place goes to my mother Magda, who has taught me with her own example how to become a strong, fearless, honest, hard-working, and independent woman.

I am also very grateful to be part of a team with empowered women and amazing professionals, who motivate me to accept new challenges and transform my full-time job into a continuous learning experience.

Over the years, the increase in women-led or women-centered stories has been apparent across content, but oftentimes those stories center cis, white women. How can brands better include intersectionality?

We can’t ignore the social and cultural shift that has taken place. This force of change we are seeing now will impact future generations. Therefore, brands must embrace it and never lose sight of important insights from their customers. 

Being Latina myself, I would love to see more stories about women leaders not only in Latin America, but across the globe. I believe that as content specialists, we also have the potential to set the tone for brands to be increasingly aware and inclusive in terms of diversity, multiculturalism, and intersectionality.

There are many women still breaking barriers and creating history today, most recently and notably, our current Vice President, Kamala Harris, being named the first female Vice President. Is there still a glass ceiling that you would like to see broken?

Everything starts with us women, from the moment we truly support each other. As Kamala mentioned in her speech, if you are lucky enough to have an opportunity, it is your duty to make sure others have those opportunities as well.

As we continue to break those barriers, solidarity is key when it comes to leaving a path for future generations. That glass ceiling crashes when we join forces, not to compete against each other, but to establish new patterns of behavior in which equality, respect and motivation prevail.

Is there a campaign featuring women-led storytelling that inspired you?

Last year, during lockdown, I spent quality time doing research on the most impactful and inspiring female-led campaigns of the decade. It was a pleasant surprise to discover a variety of brands who are not only celebrating women by telling great stories, but they are also ahead of the game in terms of creativity and visuals. 

To name some: TVS Eurogrip’s tribute with The Real Specialist, Audi with Let's Change the Game, Always #LikeAGirl, BIBA’s An Equal World Starts with You, Campofrio’s Deliciosa Calma, YouTube’s 100 Years of Incredible Women and many more. I encourage you to do your own research and of course, to write about it!

If you could define your story using one sentence, what would that sentence be?

Your ideas do matter. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always seek to make a positive impact with your work.

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About Digna Maria Gonzalez Villalta

Digna Maria Gonzalez Villalta is the Content and Communications Lead for Cisco Global Partner Readiness. Her professional background covers journalism, marketing strategy, advertising, and internal communications. Before joining Cisco, Digna had the opportunity to work in digital advertising agencies, interactive media, television networks and recently finished a postgraduate degree in Business Management. Besides writing, she also shares other passions such as reading, indie films, learning new languages and discovering places across her beautiful country.