Meet Gabriela Huezo

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Gabriela Huezo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Gabriela, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Being the only one in the room that looked like me, and having an accent, since English isn’t my first language, used to feel isolating and, at times, limiting, as it sometimes held me back from fully sharing my ideas and expertise. Now, it feels like both a responsibility and a privilege. As an immigrant woman from El Salvador working in marketing and entertainment in the U.S., I’ve often been the first or the only Latina voice at the table. When I moved to Los Angeles with no family, no network, and no safety net, I had to rebuild everything from scratch: my career, my confidence, and my sense of belonging.

In the beginning, I carried a lot of self-doubt and the constant pressure to prove myself, not because I didn’t believe I belonged, but because I often had to demonstrate that I had the knowledge, strategic thinking, and expertise to back my ideas. I sometimes found myself getting defensive justifying my creative direction, especially in rooms where I was the youngest or the only woman of color. Over time, I learned to channel that energy differently: to lead conversations with clarity, confidence, and results that spoke louder than explanations ever could.

Through my experience, I’ve built a space where diverse creators and brands collaborate with purpose. Whether leading campaigns for Paramount Brand Studios, iHeartPodcasts, Pantene, or American Eagle, or mentoring young marketers through Riqueza, a financial education platform for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women communities, and Historias Que Nos Contamos (means ‘Stories We tell Ourselves’), my Spanish podcast amplifying Central American women’s stories of entrepreneurship and healing limiting beliefs, I’ve learned that representation is both strategy and impact.

Every time I walk into a room or get to work with a new client or close a contract, I remind myself that I’m there not just for me, but for every woman and immigrant who dreams of being seen. Being “the only one” taught me to lead with courage and to turn difference into direction.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a marketing strategist and creative director specializing in influencer marketing, storytelling, and brand development across entertainment, beauty, and lifestyle industries. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of leading and executing campaigns for global brands including Paramount, iHeartPodcasts, Pantene, Express, American Eagle, FX/Hulu, L’Occitane and others: projects that allowed me to merge data-driven strategy with culture-centered storytelling.

I help brands and creators connect authentically with their audiences through influencer partnerships, creative content, and 360-campaign strategy. What sets my work apart is how I approach marketing through a cultural empathy lens, crafting campaigns that don’t just sell products but create emotional resonance. I’m proud of what I have achieved has amplified underrepresented voices while delivering measurable business growth for clients.

I served as Head of Marketing at Riqueza, a financial education startup empowering BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women communities. I worked side-by-side with the founder to build the brand from the ground up, leading its content, social, and experience strategies. During my time there, we grew community engagement, launched digital events and partnerships with universities and women-led organizations, and positioned Riqueza as a trusted voice in inclusive financial wellness.

I also host Historias Que Nos Contamos, a Spanish podcast and storytelling space highlighting Central American women entrepreneurs and creatives. Both Riqueza and my podcast are extensions of my core mission: using marketing and media as tools for visibility, empowerment, and wealth creation in communities that have long been left out of the narrative.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding cross-border collaborations between Central America and the U.S., producing new brand partnerships, and growing Historias Que Nos Contamos into a multimedia platform. My goal has always been the same: to use creativity as a force for connection, representation, and change.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three most impactful qualities that have shaped my career are big picture vision, cultural empathy, and strong will.

Big picture vision has been essential to every role I’ve taken on, from leading marketing strategy for global brands to building my own opportunities. It’s about seeing beyond a single campaign and understanding how every creative decision connects to growth, reputation, and impact. My advice: don’t just focus on what’s trending. Focus on what’s lasting. Learn to think like an architect of ideas, not just an executor of them.

Cultural empathy is what makes my work distinct. As an immigrant Latina, I’ve seen firsthand how culture shapes behavior, values, and connection. Understanding people’s “why”, not just their demographics, allows you to build brands that actually resonate. For anyone starting out, lead with curiosity. Listen more than you talk. The best marketers are the best observers of human nature.

And finally, strong will, because building a career in a fast-changing industry takes more than talent; it takes tenacity. From pitching global clients to rebuilding my career from scratch in Los Angeles, I’ve learned that persistence, self-belief, and purpose are what sustain momentum when opportunities aren’t handed to you. The truth is, consistency builds credibility and strong will turns vision into reality.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I’ve learned that ‘mastery’ comes from leaning into your strengths, not fixing your weaknesses. When I first started in marketing, I thought being “well-rounded” meant saying yes to everything: creative direction, analytics, copywriting, media buying. But the real growth happened when I started focusing on what I do best: strategy, storytelling, and connecting ideas to people.

Doubling down on my strengths allowed me to build my experience and ‘reputation’ and lead major brand campaigns that reflected my creative vision. It also gave me the clarity to surround myself with people whose strengths complement mine: designers, data analysts, producers. You don’t have to be everything; you just have to know what makes you exceptional and build from there.

For anyone early in their journey: get radically self-aware. Pay attention to what feels natural and what drains you. Once you identify your zone of genius, protect it and nurture it. The world doesn’t need more well-rounded professionals. It needs people who are undeniably great at what they’re meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hausofduke.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hausofduke
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabyhuezob