I AM A STRONG LATINA
Hola, I'm Venus Victoria Piñeyro De Hoyos.
I have lived in Austin, Texas since I was 21 when I was uprooted from my city of Monterrey, Mexico by Domestic Violence. I studied Economics at the University of Texas at Austin and through my personal dedication, the help of many, a dash of luck, and a healthy dose of strategy, I am now a thriving (almost) 50-year-old mother, spouse, and CEO of 2 organizations dedicated to advancing inclusive cultures.
My Dream
In many ways, I embody a version of the many American dreams.
I have worked tirelessly to overcome obstacles, embracing an appreciation of my Latina heritage and courageously fighting for my family and community.
After leaving Monterrey, Mexico, and a life-threatening family violence situation, I arrived in the US at 21 with my 5-year-old sister and mother. I planned a path for my family’s safety entering and succeeding in the tech world dominated by men in Fortune 10 organizations like Meta, Dell, and General Motors.
My Path to Growth
The canvas of my life is a tattered and beautifully colorful work of art. I am a seeker, a finder, and the creator of my experience. I have been practicing meditation for 20 years, and I enjoy being the mother of a beautiful soul that has taught me what it is like to experience fierce love. I am also the spouse of #StrongLatinaMan who uses every breath to uplift me and has taught me that I don’t have to do everything alone.
Creating the world I want for my daughter
After a successful 18-year career in tech leadership, I left the safety of Corporate America to become an entrepreneur, founding Vector U and The Inclusion Plus Institute, where I work with organizations by helping them to embrace Diversity and make Inclusion part of their DNA. I am a Global Advisor and Consultant guiding Executive teams in developing innovative cultures rooted in Inclusive Leadership practices. I help organizations assess their systems to identify and reduce bias and provide a Safe Space for all.
The Strong Latina Project
My journey of overcoming unexpected challenges instilled in me a drive to shine a light so others can quickly get from a place of merely surviving to the enjoyment of thriving. This passion for inspiring Latinas across the country led Me to create a non-profit organization, “The Strong Latina Project.” I create meaningful conversations to elevate Latina Changemakers’ voices and amplify their impact.
Commitment to Community
After navigating the Immigration system for many years, I finally became a United States Citizen which enabled me to use my voice fully, and give back to the LatinX community. I serve on the Board of Community Organizations such as Latinitas and lead the ALPFA Austin chapter as President.
My exposure to domestic violence fueled my desire to transform difficult experiences into muscles of resiliency. It inspired me to help the Austin community by serving on the Board of Directors of the Austin Safe Alliance, dedicated to ending violence in all forms.
Finally, I believe our journey is unique, and through practicing our talents and understanding our truth, we contribute to uniting the global community her daughters and our youth will inherit.
How I can help
I have a blend of deep business leadership expertise in complex environments and the ability to transform culture deliberately to bring about the best in individuals and organizational systems. My approach is informed by industry standards and firmly based on evidence-based recommendations and actions.
