Nicole Cuellar-Lopez is a seasoned DEI leader, strategist and operator with a decade of experience embedding equity into the DNA of high-growth, complex organizations. Her leadership at companies like Uber, Peloton, and Etsy has been marked by a pragmatic, human-centered approach to building inclusive cultures that scale. At Etsy, Nicole served as Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, where she managed a small, yet exceptionally effective team leading efforts to reimagine disability inclusion, foster trust in hybrid environments, and shift from compliance-based models to cultures of belonging. She built trusting relationships with HR leaders, employment counsel and executives as well as with frontline employees and managers that laid the groundwork for embedding key elements for fairness and inclusivity within all parts of the talent lifecycle. Her work emphasized the importance of keeping work human and celebrating differences, aligning with Etsy's mission to "keep commerce human." Nicole's background includes early tenure at Uber (2013–2019), where she held roles in rider marketing, operations & logistics, and diversity & inclusion. She was an integral part of the cultural shift Uber underwent in 2018. She later led DEI initiatives at Peloton Interactive. She is also active in the NYC start-up ecosystem as a member of Pipeline Angels, co-founded Fuerza Ventures, and volunteers as the steering committee lead for AngelFamilia, part of the non-profit La Familia Foundation. Born in the Bronx and raised in Florida, Nicole is a Fulbright alumna who taught in Siberia and holds a BA in Spanish and Russian from Howard University. As a mother of two, she brings a grounded, empathetic lens to leadership development, change management, and inclusive storytelling.

Close Bio

Pedro Otálora is a strategy and operations leader at Google, where he helps shape sales performance across global markets. With a background in analytics, public policy, and economic research, he brings a data-driven lens to systems change and organizational growth. Pedro is also an angel investor with Alas Angels, supporting early-stage founders from underrepresented backgrounds. A proud Colombian-American and University of Florida alum, he is passionate about tech, civic engagement, and expanding access to opportunity across communities.

Close Bio

Isaiah Deporto-Plick is a startup attorney and mission-driven investor focused on empowering diverse founders. He currently serves as Senior Attorney at Inceptiv, advising high-growth companies on corporate and securities matters. He is also the co-founder of Fuerza Ventures, a pre-seed fund backing Black, Latinx, and women-led startups. A graduate of Stanford Law School and UW Foster MBA, Isaiah blends legal expertise with inclusive investment strategies to drive systemic change in tech and venture. He is deeply committed to building pathways for historically excluded entrepreneurs and creating a more equitable innovation economy.

Close Bio

Marcia X. is a capital strategist and ecosystem builder focused on aligning innovation with justice, care, and community. She has led 16 entrepreneurship programs supporting 850+ founders, launched global social impact bonds impacting 1,000+ families, and helped secure over $20M in public funding for research teams. Her work spans philanthropic advising, venture investing, and ecosystem design for organizations like Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition, the National Science Foundation, and Cinematica Labs. Featured by Forbes and HBCUvc, Marcia brings a values-driven approach to building economies rooted in people, purpose, and possibility.

Close Bio

Lorenza Muñoz is a writer, strategist, and connector with a career spanning journalism, entertainment, and cultural production. She is the founder of Artemis Muse Productions, a boutique firm that curates intimate gatherings to elevate social impact, build community, and amplify creative initiatives. Previously, Lorenza led global member relations at the Oscars and held senior roles at Amazon Studios. A former journalist at the Los Angeles Times, Lorenza is known for her inclusive leadership, discerning eye, and deep commitment to uplifting underrepresented voices. She lives in Los Angeles and is a proud alum of UC Berkeley and the Mexican national swim team.

Close Bio