Catherine Rios

I attribute my success to being intentional about learning and growth, especially in industries where women have historically been underrepresented at the leadership level. That awareness has pushed me to continuously educate myself, ask questions, and seek out conversations with people in roles or departments I aspired to understand better. I’ve always been curious about how others got to where they are—their challenges, their decisions, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

I’ve been fortunate that when I’ve reached out, people have been open to sharing their experiences. I’ve taken those insights seriously—reflecting on them, holding onto what resonated, and using them to shape my own path. Throughout my career, I didn’t always have a defined end goal, but I focused on working hard, learning every aspect of the roles I was in, and stepping into challenges whenever the opportunity presented itself.

I’ve made it a priority to understand not just my responsibilities, but how the broader organization operates—its processes, its needs, and where I can add value. Being around different perspectives and bringing ideas together has helped me grow both professionally and personally. That continuous learning, combined with a strong work ethic and curiosity, has been the foundation of my success—and it’s something I genuinely enjoy.

The best career advice I’ve received—though not word for word—has always been some version of: if that’s your goal, let’s figure out how to get you there. I’ve heard it in different ways throughout my career, and it’s always stuck with me.

It resonates because I’ve always wanted to keep learning, trying new things, and pushing myself forward. As long as I’m growing, I’m engaged—and that’s important to me. The idea of standing still or no longer being curious doesn’t sit well with me.

That mindset has shaped how I approach both my career and how I support others. I believe in asking people what they truly want, and then helping them find a path to get there.

I would encourage young women entering this industry to start by getting clear on what they want and building a narrative around it. Once you have that direction, seek out people who are already in those roles and learn from them—ask how they got there, what challenges they faced, and what skills helped them succeed. Most people are more willing to share their experiences than you might expect.

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks or told “no.” Keep pushing forward. There’s almost always another path—you just have to be patient and willing to adjust along the way.

For me, those conversations have been incredibly valuable. I’ve made it a point to listen, retain what resonates, and reflect on how I can apply those lessons to my own journey. That combination of curiosity, persistence, and self-reflection can take you a long way.

The biggest challenge I see right now is bridging the gap between how things truly are and how they’re increasingly being portrayed through AI. So much of what we interact with has started to feel automated and impersonal.

I’m seeing AI used routinely to draft resumes, complete assignments, and even answer test questions—it’s becoming normalized in ways that are hard to ignore. Because of that, genuine human input can sometimes feel like the exception rather than the standard.

My current company, NGEN Mission Critical, actually addressed this directly in its hiring process. They asked candidates to provide authentic, human-written responses rather than AI-generated ones. That stood out to me. It was a deliberate effort to preserve authenticity in the process, and I found it refreshing.

I even shared that sentiment with them in my response and answered in a more conversational, natural way, as if I were speaking directly to them. They set the tone for a human-centered approach, and I wanted to meet that standard.

It’s a clear reminder of how quickly things are evolving, and why it’s important that we intentionally protect the human element in our work and industries.

The values most important to me center on authenticity, respect, and the ability to show up as a fully human presence in my work and personal life. I place a high value on speaking naturally and with intention—without trying to over-polish or sound like something I’m not. I’m not a robot, and I don’t believe leadership or communication should feel like one.

I also value conviction. When I speak or make decisions, I want there to be clarity and sincerity behind it, even if that comes with pauses or imperfection. I see that as part of being human, not something to eliminate.

Another core value for me is impact—particularly in how I support others who may have been told “no” or pushed up against barriers. Early in my career, I was told I needed to conform to a man’s world in order to succeed, even down to how I presented myself. That moment has stayed with me, not as a limitation, but as a turning point in how I define my own path and leadership style.

Because of that experience, I’m intentional about creating environments where people are respected for their contributions rather than pressured to fit a mold. I want to help build spaces where both men and women can be confident in who they are and what they bring forward.

At the same time, I deeply value independence and being proud of what I can build and achieve as a woman, and I carry that forward as an example for my daughter as well.

Above all, relationships matter to me. We only get one life, and I believe how we treat people and the connections we build along the way is what ultimately defines success.