Josie Gatica
Josie (Josefina) Gatica is an HR Recruitment & Marketing Manager whose career reflects a blend of talent acquisition, entrepreneurship, and people-centered leadership. She began her recruitment career in Chile in 2012 and, after several years building her own business in New York, returned to talent acquisition with a deeper understanding of connection, communication, and what helps people thrive at work.
Based in the New York City metropolitan area, Josie currently leads recruitment efforts at iBRAINglobal, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with brain injuries and neurological disorders. Over the years, she has developed a strong passion for special education hiring and for helping mission-driven organizations grow with intention and care.
Josie holds a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez and certifications as a Certified Professional Coach (CPC) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner. She manages a team of five marketing associates and leads initiatives related to talent acquisition, employer branding, candidate experience, and onboarding across multiple New York City locations. She believes recruitment is not just about filling roles, but about creating meaningful connections and building teams that can make a real difference.
• Certification, Neuro-linguistic Programming Coach Practitioner
• Certified Professional Coach, Corporate Coaching
• Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez - MS, Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez - BS, Psych
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute much of my success to the inner work I do on myself. As an NLP practitioner, I’ve seen how powerfully our internal language shapes the way we think, feel, and respond to challenges. I’m intentional about the way I speak to myself, the meaning I give experiences, and how I choose to reframe difficult moments. That mindset has helped me build resilience, stay grounded in possibility, and keep moving forward with purpose. For me, success is not just about external outcomes, but about learning how to lead yourself through change with awareness and intention.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Empower yourself early. Learn to set boundaries, speak up with calm confidence, and trust that your voice deserves to be heard. Communication is one of the most powerful tools you can develop, so it is worth learning how to express yourself clearly, read dynamics, and use techniques that help you connect with others and be understood. I would also say: do not underestimate the importance of confidence, even while you are still growing into it. You do not need to know everything to deserve a seat at the table. Keep learning, stay grounded in your values, and remember that strength does not have to be loud to be powerful. And finally, support other women. There is so much value in creating spaces where women uplift one another, share knowledge, and grow together.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in this field is retention, particularly when candidates are not fully prepared for the realities and responsibilities of the work. Because this is such meaningful and specialized work, clear expectations, strong preparation, and mission alignment are all incredibly important from the start. At the same time, this creates a valuable opportunity for organizations to strengthen onboarding, communication, and ongoing support for their teams. I also believe there is tremendous opportunity in continued professional development, collaboration, and the use of research and technology to further improve outcomes for students and families.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that matter most to me are purpose, kindness, clear communication, and emotional well-being. I care deeply about doing work that feels meaningful and aligned with the mission, and I believe the way we communicate can shape trust, connection, and the environment around us. I also believe in protecting mental health and maintaining healthy boundaries, because both are essential to showing up fully and sustainably in work and in life.