Vanessa Olcese
Vanessa Olcese is a senior marketing and sales leader with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, specializing in integrated marketing, partner development, demand generation, and go-to-market strategy. A long-time Microsoft professional, she has led cross-functional teams to deliver innovative, customer-centric campaigns across B2B and B2C landscapes, driving measurable growth in areas such as AI business processes, cybersecurity, and cloud solutions. With a proven track record in Latin America, North America, and the Global market Vanessa has managed multimillion-dollar portfolios, built strong partner ecosystems, and advanced adoption of cutting-edge technologies, consistently positioning herself as a trusted business connector and strategist.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business and Marketing from Florida International University’s College of Business and has pursued continued growth through certifications such as Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn and the Microsoft Global Hackathon 2024. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Vanessa combines her multicultural perspective with expertise in stakeholder management, innovation, and AI marketing automation. Recognized by colleagues as a collaborative leader, she has earned numerous recommendations highlighting her ability to align strategy, execution, and communication to deliver impact across diverse audiences.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Vanessa contributes her expertise as a Festival of Media Awards judge and shares her knowledge through mentorship programs such as Collective Brains Academy. She is passionate about empowering future leaders, championing inclusive marketing practices, and driving technology adoption that fosters human connection and sustainable growth.
Additionally, Vanessa is the co-host of Cuarenta y Cuenta (@CuarentaYCuenta) a nonprofit podcast created for Spanish-speaking women seeking empowerment, self-love, and the courage to create the reality each woman deserves. Through honest, heartfelt conversations, she helps redefine success, womanhood, and transformation in midlife.
As an artist, Vanessa brings her soul to canvas through her modern ocean-inspired art. Deeply influenced by the turquoise hues of the Caribbean Sea, she transforms emotion into texture, creating soul pieces that feel like love letters from the ocean itself. Her work combines acrylic, epoxy resin, and clay, merging fluid movement and sculptural detail to capture the poetry of water, love, and connection.
Her latest collection, “Love Letters from Above the Sea,” evokes the serenity and mystery of the ocean as seen from above:
“From high above, the sea becomes a love story.”
In this series, the Caribbean unfolds in swirls of turquoise and deep blue, dotted with tiny clay figures — souls adrift, dreamers, messages in motion. Seen from the sky, the ocean writes its own letters: of longing, connection, and the quiet poetry of life and love carried by the tide.
“Love Letters from Above the Sea” invites you to step into a whispered note from the Caribbean, where the sea turns into poetry and tiny clay souls drift through stories only the ocean can write"
• Microsoft Global Hackathon 2024
• Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
• Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing
• Florida International University - College of Business- Bachelor's
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying focused on making a global impact and leading with purpose. Throughout my career, I’ve learned to embrace change fearlessly, from driving the transformation from traditional to digital marketing to integrating AI and data-driven innovation in ways that elevate human creativity and connection.
For me, success has never been about titles or milestones; it’s about creating meaningful impact that improves people’s lives. Every project, campaign, and initiative is an opportunity to connect innovation with purpose, and that, to me, is where true success lives.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to stay curious and lead with authenticity. Early in my career, a mentor told me that success isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions and staying open to growth.
That wisdom has guided me through every transition — from global marketing shifts to personal reinvention. It reminded me that when you lead with curiosity, empathy, and purpose, you don’t just build a career — you build impact.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the tech industry is to remember that you are the owner of your destiny—don’t be afraid to pace your career as life unfolds, because you truly can have it all. Balance, resilience, and self-belief are just as important as skill and ambition. Own your voice and lead with purpose. Don’t wait to be invited to the table — bring your own chair, your ideas, and your authenticity.
This industry evolves fast, but that’s your greatest opportunity: stay curious, embrace change, and never stop learning. Surround yourself with mentors who lift you higher, and remember that you don’t have to fit in to make an impact — you just have to be brave enough to stand out.
Above all, trust that your perspective matters. The future of technology and storytelling needs more women who lead with both intellect and heart.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge—and opportunity—in marketing today is navigating the balance between human connection and technological innovation.
We’re in an era where AI, data, and automation are transforming how we reach and understand audiences. The challenge lies in ensuring that, amid all the algorithms and analytics, we don’t lose the emotional intelligence, empathy, and creativity that make brands truly resonate.
The opportunity is immense: those who can blend technology with authenticity will not only shape the future of marketing but redefine it. For me, it’s about using innovation to create real impact — turning insights into stories that move people, and technology into tools that elevate humanity.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide everything I do are authenticity, purpose, and impact.
In my work and my life, I believe in showing up fully — with integrity, empathy, and courage. Success, to me, isn’t just about results; it’s about how many lives you touch, how many bridges you build, and how much light you leave behind.
I lead with purpose over perfection, collaboration over competition, and heart over ego. Whether I’m building global campaigns, mentoring young leaders, or creating art inspired by the ocean, my compass is always the same: create beauty, inspire growth, and make a difference that lasts.