A LA LATINA Is Rewriting the Rules of Corporate Leadership

Photo: Courtesy of A LA LATINA, Founders Claudia Romo Edelman and Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner

As companies scale back diversity efforts, Latina professionals remain among the most underrepresented in corporate leadership. In industries like tech, finance, and healthcare, they’re often the only ones in the room expected to conform, not lead. That isolation is exactly what A LA LATINA aims to break.

Now in its fourth season, the podcast created by executives Claudia Romo Edelman and Cynthia Kleinbaum Milner is less about inspiration and more about strategy. Each episode features candid conversations with Latinas who are reshaping leadership, not by conforming, but by showing up fully as themselves.

Building the Platform They Needed

The premise is simple: spotlight women who are already leading and offer others the tools to follow. But the mission is urgent.

Romo Edelman and Kleinbaum Milner know firsthand what it feels like to be underestimated and overlooked, experiences that shaped the podcast’s strategy-first, no-fluff approach.

“My mission in the past 15 years has been to amplify Latino voices, advocate for equity, and break down barriers that have kept our community from getting the recognition and opportunities we deserve,” says Romo Edelman. “A LA LATINA is an extension of that mission because I know that visibility matters. If you don’t see it, you don’t believe you can be it.”

That focus on practical advice runs through every episode. Guests open up about what’s worked and what hasn’t when navigating corporate systems that weren’t built with them in mind. Topics include salary negotiations, finding sponsorship, managing visibility, and staying authentic in environments where standing out often feels risky.

Leading Without Permission

Season Four features ten Latina leaders across industries where power remains overwhelmingly white and male. But the podcast doesn’t showcase assimilation success stories. It elevates voices that have pushed back on outdated norms and reshaped the spaces around them.

“I spent over 20 years climbing the corporate ladder, and I can’t tell you how much I wish this playbook had existed when I was navigating my own career,” says Kleinbaum Milner. “That’s exactly why I approach every conversation with the mindset of the ambitious Latina I once was—asking the questions I would have wanted answers to when I was figuring out how to break through.”

That includes dealing with missed sponsorships, code-switching, and navigating unspoken biases. Guests talk openly about how accents, cultural differences, and even emotional intelligence were once misread as weaknesses until they were reframed as leadership strengths.

“I know firsthand the challenges that come with being the ‘only’ in the room, the lack of access to mentors and sponsors, and the constant balancing act between staying true to who we are and fitting into corporate spaces,” adds Kleinbaum Milner. “That lived experience fuels the way we design each episode—to be practical, unfiltered, and actionable so that the next generation of Latinas has the tools and insights we wish we had.”

The stories aren’t polished, they’re personal. And that’s part of the appeal. They show what leadership looks like when it’s rooted in resilience, not replication.

Not Just Stories—Strategies

The podcast’s core message is clear: Latinas don’t just deserve a seat at the table. They know how to lead once they’re there.

One idea surfaces often: you belong in every room where decisions are made. Listeners are encouraged to build a personal board of directors, advocate for themselves, and pursue power without apology. The podcast doesn’t offer abstract empowerment. It breaks down how to rise through systems that weren’t built for inclusion.

What sets A LA LATINA apart is that it doesn’t stop at storytelling. It offers listeners a real-time toolkit to move up and bring others with them.

As companies retreat from DEI, the podcast steps in. Not as a substitute, but as its kind of infrastructure.

A LA LATINA extends beyond audio. The platform hosts live mentorship events, networking meetups, and publishes downloadable tools designed to support Latinas at every career stage. There’s also a bi-monthly LinkedIn Live mentorship series, where listeners can connect with top leaders in real time.

Each format is built with accessibility in mind: snackable video clips for social media, long-form audio for commuters, and actionable templates for those ready to apply what they’ve learned.

“Throughout my professional journey—from leading global campaigns at the United Nations to working with some of the world’s most influential organizations—I’ve seen firsthand how powerful networks, role models, and access to the right spaces can be,” says Romo Edelman. “But Latinas still face unique challenges when it comes to leadership and career growth. That’s why I bring urgency to every conversation—shaping discussions that elevate Latina voices, highlight real role models, and provide a playbook for success.”

She adds: “We’re not just talking about the barriers; we’re focused on breaking them. A LA LATINA is supporting with the playbook to succeed.”

Looking ahead, the podcast plans to launch short-form videos, interactive workshops, and digital events to meet Latinas where they are. A new series of masterclasses is also in development, focused on leadership, communication, and strategy, specifically tailored to Latina professionals.

Latinas still hold just 1.6% of C-suite positions in corporate America, according to a 2023 McKinsey report. That number has barely moved in the past five years. Progress remains slow and often symbolic.

But A LA LATINA makes one thing clear: leadership isn’t waiting for permission. It’s already here. And it looks different from what it used to.

The show’s impact isn’t just measured in downloads. It’s measured in how many women have reached out saying they negotiated a better offer, found a sponsor, or spoke up in a meeting because of something they heard on the show.

It’s a podcast, yes—but also a movement. A growing community of Latinas rising, leading, and reshaping the rules together.