Welcome to Data-Pop Alliance’s series, “Employee Spotlight,” where we shine a light on the talented individuals who make up Data-Pop Alliance. Our team members are what makes DPA thrive, and through this series, we aim to highlight their diverse backgrounds and inspiring stories. Today, we’re excited to feature Diana Montero, our Operations Officer. Based in Mexico, Diana has been collaborating with DPA for 4 years! Join us as we explore her journey.
*This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Could you start by sharing two books (fiction or nonfiction) that shaped you?
DM: The first book is How to Be an Adult in Relationships by David Richo. I came across it after hearing an actress from The Big Bang Theory recommend it in an interview. At the time, I didn’t have anything on my reading list, so I gave it a try. The book offers practical tips on becoming a better listener and communicator, and on recognizing the childish habits we sometimes carry into adult relationships. I really loved it; it helped me improve my interpersonal skills, both in my personal life and at work.
The second is Women Who Love Too Much by Robin Norwood, which I actually listened to as an audiobook after hearing it mentioned in podcasts. While the book focuses mostly on romantic relationships, it gave me valuable insights about the importance of balance and self-care.
What motivated me most—and still does—is knowing that my day-to-day work contributes to something greater.
Tell us about your academic and professional background before DPA.
DM: In 2015, I was awarded the Korean Government Scholarship Program, which took me to South Korea the following year. After a year of intensive Korean language training, I began my bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations at Korea University, where I also pursued a double major in English Language and Literature. During my four years there, I completed my studies and also gained valuable professional experience.
I interned at the Embassy of Mexico in South Korea, where I drafted political and economic reports, assisted with administrative tasks, and supported event coordination. The following summer, I interned at the Global Social Economic Forum (GSAF), contributing to forum preparation, stakeholder communications, and document translation. These opportunities sparked my interest in operations, as I discovered how much I enjoyed organizing, structuring processes, and improving workflows.
When I joined Data-Pop Alliance, I began by supporting project management, HR, and operations tasks. What motivated me most—and still does—is knowing that my day-to-day work contributes to something greater.
Can you give us an overview of the types of work you do at the DPA and what tools or platforms you rely on most in your operation efforts?
DM: My main focus is on human resources operations. I manage recruitment, onboarding, promotions, feedback sessions, salary adjustments, contract renewals, and overall staff planning. In short, my role is to coordinate, plan, and execute all the activities needed to keep these processes running smoothly.
I also support the fundraising team by proposing staff for project proposals and contribute to various administrative tasks. On the operations side, I work closely with Luis Garcia Rueda, our other Operations Officer, who focuses more on finances. Together, we manage transitions once contracts are signed, moving them from fundraising codes to project codes.
The tools I rely on most include Slack, email, the Google Workspace suite, Asana, Clockify, and Calamari, which help me stay organized and efficient in handling multiple responsibilities.
To me, it’s important that people not only manage their workload but also feel connected and motivated by their projects.
What does a typical day look like for you on the Operations team?
DM: I usually start my day by catching up on Slack and emails—since many of our colleagues in other time zones begin earlier, I go through messages, respond, and forward information to the right people. After that, I focus on any urgent issues that may have come up.
When things are calmer, I turn to my priorities for the day. This could mean reviewing CVs if we’re recruiting, updating internal documentation, or drafting contracts for staff, consultants, or external partners. I also have regular meetings with project managers and directors to track workloads and coordinate needs.
Recently, I’ve started doing check-ins with team members to understand how they’re feeling in their roles—whether they’re overloaded, and if they remain engaged with the topics they’re working on – to me, it’s important that people not only manage their workload but also feel connected and motivated by their projects.
DM: Our work mostly comes down to negotiation and finding ways to make projects run more smoothly. A lot of what we do happens behind the scenes, but it’s essential to keeping everything on track. For example, we ensure that contracts and payments are processed on time, and make sure external collaborators are fully onboarded before joining a project.
Another key part of our role is protecting the team from burnout. When workloads get heavy and one person is pulled into too many projects, we rebalance responsibilities so no one is overstretched. In many ways, our job is about solving small issues before they become big problems.
Beyond your professional role, what do you enjoy dedicating time and energy to?
DM: I absolutely love spending time with my dogs—at the moment I have three, one gifted to me and two rescues. During lockdown I definitely spoiled them, and that experience made me more aware of how many stray dogs don’t have the same safety and care. When I returned from Korea to Mexico, seeing so many abandoned animals inspired me to start helping. With my partner, I feed local stray dogs near a construction site, and I have organized a sterilization and vaccination campaign. I even fostered three puppies until they found permanent homes. Caring for animals has become a big part of my life, and I always carry food with me in case I come across a dog in need.
Beyond that, I enjoy pottery, long walks (usually with my dogs), and traveling whenever I get the chance.
To learn more about DPA’s team, visit this page.
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