By Mehak Malik
Moving from Ecuador to the United States after high school was more than a change of address for Priscila Yepez; it was a leap into a new culture, language, and way of thinking. Growing up in Ecuador, family and community were at the heart of everything she did. “Being part of the Hispanic community has shaped how I approach the world: with empathy, persistence, and a strong sense of identity,” she shares. That foundation, rooted in resilience and connection, became her anchor as she navigated the complexities of belonging in a new environment.
As a Latina woman entering the tech and analytics space, Priscila often found herself as “the only one in the room.” Instead of letting that discourage her, she chose to turn it into motivation. Her journey is one of transforming invisibility into visibility, not only for herself but for others like her, striving to carve their own space in STEM.
From Compliance to Insights:
Priscila’s career began in fraud operations and compliance roles, where she worked with data but in a limited capacity. She realized that interpreting reports was not enough; she wanted to dig deeper, uncover patterns, and translate data into actionable insights.
This desire to shift from task-focused work to insight-driven analysis led her to enroll in the Post Graduate Program in Data Science and Business Analytics from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, where she gained technical skills in Python, SQL, statistical modeling, and data visualization. “Upskilling has been essential to my career journey; it’s the bridge between where I started and where I’m headed,” she explains. Learning didn’t just add tools to her toolkit; it reshaped her mindset and gave her the confidence to step into roles that demanded analytical thinking and strategic planning. Today, she applies this expertise at Wells Fargo, where she’s working in fraud operations and helping drive data-driven decision-making.
Seeing Data as Stories, Not Just Numbers
What sets Priscila apart is how she views data, not as abstract numbers but as narratives about people, communities, and impact. Her lived experience, bridging cultures and identities, gives her a unique lens through which she interprets data. “My identity has given me a deep sense of purpose and resilience,” she reflects. “I approach data not just as numbers but as stories, often involving real people and real impact.”
This perspective helps her connect technical skills with empathy and human-centered thinking. It also informs how she contributes to projects, ensuring that cultural awareness and inclusion are not overlooked in analytical processes. Her work is as much about uncovering trends as it is about understanding the people behind those trends.
Paving the Way for Hispanic Women in STEM
Priscila’s story is one of persistence, not perfection. She openly acknowledges that being a Latina in tech came with its share of challenges, spaces where representation was scarce, and opportunities were limited. But rather than letting those obstacles define her, she chose to rise above them. “Representation matters, and your voice matters,” she says with conviction. “You don’t have to have it all figured out right away, just be willing to keep learning, keep showing up, and stay true to who you are.”
Her advice to young Hispanic women is rooted in her own experience: “Never underestimate the strength of your background, it’s your superpower, not a setback.” She encourages others to lean into their identities, ask questions, and take up space in fields where they may not always see themselves represented.
By embracing her roots and using them as fuel, she’s not only building a career but also paving the way for others. She hopes to create visibility and opportunities for Latina women and other underrepresented voices in analytics and tech.
Looking Ahead With Confidence
Today, Priscila stands at the intersection of identity and innovation, combining technical expertise with cultural empathy. Her journey is far from complete, but the path she’s carving is already making an impact. She’s not just learning new tools or advancing in her career; she’s changing how data is interpreted and applied, and inspiring others to bring their whole selves into the space.
“I’m proud to represent my heritage and to contribute to spaces where diverse voices are valued,” she reflects. “If I can do it, others can too, and I want to be part of that visibility and change.”
