4 principles to help you succeed | Martha Niño | TEDxBabsonCollege
How does a child with every odd stacked against them not only survive — but thrive? Martha Niño believes the answer lies in the combination of these four powerful words: Hope, Help, Hustle, and Heart.
Born into poverty in Mexico and smuggled into the U.S. as an undocumented child — posing as the daughter of a stranger — Martha’s early life was filled with poverty and uncertainty. With little guidance and even getting expelled from high school, her path seemed destined for struggle.
But against all odds, and with people she calls BELIEVERS, she built an extraordinary 25+ year career in Silicon Valley, breaking through barriers in hardware, software, and mobile technologies. She became part of the mere 2% of Latinas in the tech industry — a rare and remarkable achievement.
For most of her life, Martha stayed silent about her story. Then, a one-time opportunity to speak changed everything. That single moment became a catalyst — leading to opportunities to continue using her voice; speaking at corporations, conferences, across educational institutions and as well as writing and publishing her journey “The Other Side from a Shack to Silicon Valley”. Through it all, she uncovered a deeper truth: those four words — Hope, Help, Hustle, and Heart — were not just her foundation, but a universal formula for rising, no matter the circumstances.
In this powerful talk, Martha doesn’t just speak — she screams the message that our stories matter. That they can heal, inspire, and transform. This is more than a talk. It’s a call to action:
Own your story. Share it boldly. And believe in the power of your voice to change not only your life — but the lives of others.Martha Niño’s journey began in the humblest of circumstances, born into poverty in Mexico. She
crossed into the United States as an undocumented child, passing as a stranger's child. Struggling
through a lack of educational guidance and even being expelled from high school, the odds seemed
insurmountable. Over the next 25 years, she forged an incredible career in Silicon Valley, breaking barriers in hardware, software, and mobile. Today, as a senior leader at Adobe for two decades, she stands among the rare 2% of Latinas in
tech. Her success is not just her own; it is the result of mentors, supporters, and those who saw the
potential within her she calls these amazing people BELIEVERS. A published author, speaker, and
advocate, Martha now shares her story “The Other Side: From a Shack to Silicon Valley” inspiring
others with the proof that the impossible is possible. Her journey is a dream that can rise from the most unlikely places. She is living proof that nothing is impossible. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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