Mariana Diestra

About Mariana Diestra

I was born in Peru and immigrated to the United States when I was nine years old. Although I’ve spent most of my life in America, I’ve remained deeply connected to my Peruvian roots. For over two decades, I’ve practiced and taught Peruvian folkloric dance, an art form that’s helped me preserve my heritage and share it with others. In 2007, I officially founded a Peruvian folkloric dance school, a labor of love that has allowed me to preserve and share my culture. Over the years, I’ve competed and won in multiple cultural dance competitions and mentored dancers of all ages.My love for people, culture, and global connection led me to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from San Diego State University, where I also studied abroad at ESSEC Business School in France. That experience sharpened my global perspective and helped me build cross-cultural fluency skills I deepened through my MBA at Point Loma Nazarene University.Today, I work at Apple, where I lead with empathy, integrity, and a people-first mindset. I’m passionate about creating spaces where individuals feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow. As an immigrant and proud Latina, I’m part of a growing demographic. Hispanic women now make up over 17% of all women in the U.S. workforce, with labor force participation rates that exceed the national average for women. I believe our unique stories and identities enrich the workplace and drive innovation.Whether through leadership, mentorship, or building inclusive experiences, I carry with me the power of heritage, the value of representation, and a commitment to people and purpose in everything I do.

Experience

1. Senior Manager

   Apple

   Aug 2022 — Present · San Diego, CA, US

   Leads a team of 8 Managers responsible for Shopping, Operations, Talent and Support, overseeing a team of over 200 employees.• Collaborates with other Senior Leaders to develop strategies based on customer insights.• Uses data analytics to examine consumer behavior reporting to create training paths for sales and support team members to improve customer satisfaction and retention.• Manages performance and employee relations processes.• Leads year-round performance review processes.

Education

• Point Loma Nazarene University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA

  2017 — 2019

• School of International Business at Kearny High School

  High School Diploma, International Business

  2006 — 2010

• San Diego State University

  Bachelor’s Degree, International Business

  2010 — 2014

• ESSEC Business School

  Semester Abroad, International Business

  2013 — 2014

Skills

• Marketing
• Nonprofits
• Press Releases
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Public Speaking
• Facebook
• Teaching
• Time Management
• Interviews
• Intercultural Communication
• Entrepreneurship
• Social Media Marketing
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Market Research
• Editing
• Creative Writing
• Community Outreach
• Teaching Dance
• Final Cut Pro
• Program Management
• Spanish
• Cultural Marketing
• Microsoft Word
• Leadership
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Community Service
• Graphic Design
• Management
• Dance
• Event Management
• Television
• Photoshop
• Data Entry
• Public Relations
• Troubleshooting
• Social Media
• International Relations