Her Story
About Tatiana
Tatiana Benavides is the Director of Social Impact and Analytics at United Way, where she connects research, innovation, and action to drive social impact. After completing her studies in political science in the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle in France, she began her career in the public sector in her native Costa Rica before moving into international cooperation with agencies and think tanks focused on democratic governance, development, and peacebuilding across multiple countries. She applies now that global expertise at the local level in the greater Atlanta region, informing strategies for economic mobility to help underserved populations. In addition to this role, Benavides has been an affiliated researcher at Columbia University and has lectured at the United Nations mandated University for Peace, among other universities, training hundreds of students and professionals. She is an author and writes for political journals throughout the Americas. She is also active in educating the Hispanic community on public policy and democratic values through nonpartisan media outreach.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tatiana
01What do you attribute your success to?
Developing a balance between the depth of expertise in my core area while building broader knowledge in adjacent fields has been a key factor. Bringing that integration of knowledge and experience to the table, has enabled me to work across teams and systems, as well as innovate at the global and local level.
But also, I am a student for life. A classroom is my happy place; I love learning things related or unrelated to my career. I enjoy asking questions and using every moment as an opportunity to learn from individual and collective experiences.
Finally, I am the result of so many remarkable people I have encountered throughout my life, including my two organ donors.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of the best pieces of advice has been to keep in mind that a sign of intelligence is the ability to disagree with yourself. That is such a valuable advice from Adam Grant. Our knowledge and perspectives evolve and mature.
Also, in my native country, when we face difficulties and challenges, we say that we are passing through haunted places. Nobody gave me this advice, but I learned that crossing those haunted places teaches you to be flexible, resilient and assertive, all of which are crucial for succeeding not just in your career but in life.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep your integrity and values throughout your growth journey and use your position to open doors for others. Also, remember life is not linear, learn to adjust and be flexible.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
For policy-oriented researchers, innovators, and evidence advocates, the challenge is no longer just generating knowledge and connecting it to action. It is defending the value of evidence itself in a time when there is the tendency to question the credibility of facts if they do not align with existent opinions.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Transparency and honesty. Value others' ideas and give them credit.
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