Latinas step into Corporate America with the odds stacked high against them. Many of us come from immigrant families with limited resources or are the first in our lineage to break generational cycles and secure a corporate role. According to a report by LeanIn.org, Latinas face two critical “broken rungs” when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder. They’re overlooked for management positions and, again, for senior leadership roles. While Latinas hold just 4.9% of entry-level corporate jobs, this number drops to 3.3% at the managerial level and a staggering 2% in senior leadership.

This lack of promotion opportunities also fuels the wage gap Latinas face in the United States. On average, Latinas earn only 51 cents for every dollar paid to non-Hispanic white men, resulting in a loss of $1.3 million over a 40-year career.

The fact that this reality persists year after year, impacting younger Latinas entering the workforce, is absurd. If the system won’t change for us, we must elevate one another by sharing knowledge, supporting each other, and navigating the workplace together. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of must-read books by Latina authors who have walked in our shoes—at home and in the office. These reads are packed with stories, lessons, and strategies tailored to our unique experiences as Latinas in Corporate America.

Let’s get inspired, empowered, and ready to rewrite the narrative!

Empowered to Lead: A Guide for Women Working in Male-Dominated Industries
(Empowered Women in Leadership)

Author: Stacy Whitenight

Stacy Whitenight created this guide to equip women with actionable strategies for thriving in male-dominated industries. From building confidence and navigating office politics to advocating for yourself and pushing back against bias, Stacy Whitenight provides practical advice for developing leadership skills and overcoming workplace challenges. This book is a call to action for women to take charge of their careers and champion diversity.

The Likability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed as You Are

Author: Alicia Menendez

Alicia Menendez dives into the impossible pressure women face between being assertive and likable. Using research, personal stories, and interviews, she breaks down how cultural biases around likeability hold us back and offers tools to rewrite those narratives. This book empowers you to stop playing by unfair rules and start owning your success.

Latina Madrina: Stories, Lessons and Hard Truths from a Brown Latina in Tech

Author:  Julissa S. Germosén 

Julissa S. Germosén shares her journey as a Latina navigating the tech industry while emphasizing the importance of embracing your authentic Latinidad. This book is part memoir, part guide, filled with lessons on overcoming generational trauma, mastering top leadership skills, making money moves, investing in yourself, and redefining success. Think of it as advice from your Latina Madrina (godmother) to help you thrive professionally and personally by offering guidance, wisdom, hard truths, and insider knowledge that can only come from someone who has walked the path.

Your Time to Rise: Unlearn Limiting Beliefs, Unlock Your Power, and Unleash Your Truest Self

Author: Arivee Vargas 

Arivee Vargas invites women of color to break free from limiting beliefs and cultural expectations. Through relatable examples and a four-part framework, she offers strategies to align your actions with your authentic self and build a fulfilling life and career. Your Time to Rise is about increasing self-awareness, gaining clarity, uncovering your truth, envisioning possibilities, and aligning what’s inside with what you’re doing, saying, and pursuing on the outside. This is your guide to rising above the noise and stepping into your power.

Embrace the Power of You: Owning Your Identity at Work

Author: Tricia Montalvo Timm 

Corporate lawyer Tricia Montalvo Timm shares her journey of self-acceptance embracing her identity and showing up authentically in the workplace. Through inspiring stories and practical tips, this book encourages Latinas to overcome fear and fully own their unique voices, proving that authenticity is your ultimate professional superpower.

Unbeatable Latinas

Author: Valeria Aloe

Valeria Aloe explores how cultural messages like “be humble”, “be grateful for what you already have” and “don’t create conflict” can hinder our professional growth. She offers a roadmap tailored to Latinas, focusing on building authentic professional brands, confidently advocating for our ideas, creating a support network of mentors and sponsors, and balancing career and family while honoring our roots. 

CREATING YOUR LIMITLESS LIFE: …On Your Terms

Author: Dr. Esther Zeledón 

Dr. Esther Zeledón delivers a step-by-step guide to defining success on your terms. This book blends personal stories and actionable strategies to overcome negative voices, break free from overthinking, define what success means to you, and craft a life filled with meaning and growth. It’s a powerful resource to envision and manifest your limitless life. 

Unstoppable : How to Spice Up your Brand, Create Opportunities, and Reach your Goals

Author: Nyrka Riskin

Nyrka Riskin shows how building a strong personal brand is the key to unlocking opportunities and reaching your dreams. With tools, real-life examples, and a bold framework, this book will inspire you to take charge of your career and move towards your unstoppable potential.

These books are more than just words on a page—they’re a toolkit for personal and professional empowerment. As Latinas, we’re rewriting what it means to succeed in Corporate America, and these authors are leading the charge. So, add these to your reading list and let’s continue supporting each other, breaking barriers, and proving that we belong in every room we step into.

Which book will you read first? Tag us on social media @MujeresInMarketing and let us know.