Maria C Diaz Agosto

I attribute my success to courage, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to growth for myself and for those around me. Moving from Puerto Rico to Florida as a single mother was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but it was fueled by love for my son and the need to secure better healthcare for him. I left behind a successful career and entered a world where even communicating was a daily challenge. For years, fear of speaking English held me back. But I reached a turning point where I realized that if I wanted to grow personally and professionally, I had to face that fear. Asking for help, pushing through discomfort, and choosing to speak up changed everything. My journey taught me that success isn’t defined by titles—it's about the willingness to change, to keep learning, and to uplift others as you rise. From supporting agents in my early healthcare roles to now leading a regional team, every step has been shaped by empathy, perseverance, and the belief that no matter where you start, you have the power to rewrite your story.

"Don’t let fear make decisions for you." That’s the most powerful career advice I’ve ever received — and the one that’s challenged me the most. Fear is sneaky. It often shows up as hesitation, overthinking, self-doubt, or the urge to play it safe. It convinces us to stay quiet in meetings, to not apply for the job, to delay the tough conversation, or to settle for “good enough.” But fear-based decisions rarely lead to growth. Every meaningful step I’ve taken in my career — stepping into leadership, advocating for change, mentoring others has come from choosing courage over comfort. The truth is, you don’t grow by waiting until you’re 100% ready. You grow by saying yes before you feel fully prepared, by raising your hand even when your voice shakes, and by showing up fully, even when there’s risk involved. To me, success is not about perfection or having all the answers — it’s about choosing growth over fear, again and again. And that choice has shaped every part of my journey.

My biggest advice is this: don’t let fear keep you small. There will be moments when you feel like you don’t belong in the room, or like your voice isn’t strong enough to be heard—but that’s exactly when you need to speak up. Growth doesn’t come from comfort; it comes from choosing to show up, even when it’s hard, even when you’re unsure. Early in my career, I had to rebuild from the ground up—starting over in a new place, in a new industry, with so many uncertainties. What pushed me forward wasn’t a title or a perfect résumé. It was my purpose, my willingness to learn, and my commitment to keep showing up for others and for myself. Success in this industry isn’t just about how well you perform on paper. It’s about resilience. It’s about leading with empathy. And most of all, it’s about believing that your journey no matter how unconventional is valid and valuable. So to every young woman just starting out: trust your potential, seek out people who uplift you, and never underestimate the power of your own transformation. So to every young woman just starting out: trust your potential, seek out people who uplift you and never underestimate the power of your own transformation.

One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is leading through constant change while staying grounded in empathy and purpose. Healthcare continues to evolve whether it’s adapting to new regulations, shifting member needs, or integrating new technologies and with that comes the challenge of keeping teams aligned, supported, and motivated. But within that challenge is also our greatest opportunity: developing leaders who lead with heart, who know that success isn’t just about hitting metrics it’s about showing up for people, especially during hard transitions.

The values most important to me both in my work and personal life are empathy, perseverance, growth, and courage. Moving from Puerto Rico to Florida as a single mother was one of the hardest and most defining decisions I’ve made. I left behind a successful career and entered a new environment where language and culture felt like barriers. For a long time, fear held me back from speaking English, even though I had knowledge, experience, and so much to contribute. But I made the decision to push through that fear not just for myself, but for my son, who was the reason behind every sacrifice. That journey taught me that growth begins when we choose to face discomfort and commit to becoming better—for ourselves and for those we serve. Whether it was helping agents early in my healthcare journey or now leading a regional team, I’ve always believed in lifting others as I rise and creating space where people feel seen and supported. At the heart of everything I do is empathy because I know what it feels like to start over, to be underestimated, and to fight for something better. Perseverance keeps me moving forward, and courage reminds me that we are all capable of rewriting our story, no matter where we begin.