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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Mariana Atencio
| name = Mariana Atencio
| image = Mariana Atencio by Gage Skidmore.jpg
| image = Atencio Mariana.jpg
| caption = Atencio at the Latinos Unidos/National Council of La Raza Gala in 2017
| birth_place = [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]]
| birth_place = [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]]
| birth_date = April 2, 1984
| birth_date = April 2
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| othername =
| othername =
| residence = [[Florida]], [[US]]
| nationality = [[Venezuelan-American]]
| nationality = [[Venezuelan-American]]
| occupation = Anchor/Correspondent
| occupation = Anchor/Correspondent
| employer = [[NBC News]] & [[MSNBC]] (2016-present)
| employer = [[NBC News]] & [[MSNBC]] (2016-present)
| education = [[Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[Universidad Católica Andres Bello]], [[Caracas]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| education = [[Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]])<br>[[Universidad Católica Andrés Bello]], [[Caracas]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| spouse = José Antonio Torbay
| spouse = José Antonio Torbay
| awards = [[Peabody Award]], [[Investigative Reporters and Editors]] Award, [[Gracie Award]]
| awards = [[Peabody Award]], [[Investigative Reporters and Editors]] Award, [[Gracie Award]]
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}}
}}


'''Mariana Atencio''' is a Peabody Award-winning bilingual journalist, author and public speaker. She is currently a national correspondent for [[MSNBC]] and [[NBC News]]. Previously, Atencio was an anchor and correspondent for Univision News and the millennial start-up FUSION <ref>[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fusion-unveils-morning-program-morning-show-124185 Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show']</ref>. Her reporting has also been featured on [[ABC News]]<ref>[https://todayscatholic.org/pope-holds-virtual-town-hall-with-abc-and-catholics-in-3-cities/ Pope holds 'virtual town hall' with ABC and Catholics in 3 cities]</ref>.
'''Mariana Atencio''' (born April 2, 1984) is a bilingual journalist working for [[MSNBC]] and [[NBC News]]. Atencio is a native of Venezuela and holds a master's degree from the [[Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism]]. She has also worked as an [[news presenter|anchor]] for [[Fusion TV]] and [[Univision]].


In 2019, she published the memoir “Perfectly You: Embracing The Power of Being Real”<ref>[https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/perfectly-you/ “Perfectly You”. From MSNBC award-winning news journalist Mariana Atencio]</ref>.
==Early life and education==
Atencio grew up in Caracas, Venezuela and received her undergraduate degree from the [[Universidad Católica Andrés Bello]] in Caracas.<ref name="univision bio"/> In 2008 she attended [[Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism]] on a merit scholarship and graduated with a master's degree.<ref name="univision bio">{{cite web|url=http://www.univision.com/noticias/univision-investiga/mariana-atencio|title=Mariana Atencio|publisher=Univision|date=27 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="People mag">{{Cite news|url=http://www.peopleenespanol.com/article/periodista-mariana-atencio-comienza-nuevo-capitulo-boda-casa-Miami-feliz-univision|title=La periodista Mariana Atencio comienza un nuevo capítulo en su vida (FOTOS)|newspaper=PeopleenEspanol.com|access-date=2016-11-19}}</ref> She has also studied at [[Georgetown University]], the [[London School of Economics]], and the [[University of California, Los Angeles]] (UCLA).<ref name="univision bio"/>


She has given keynote speeches at [[TED (conference)|Tedx]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY5SatbZMAo&t What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada]</ref>, LinkedIn<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxuyFQT9sGM Perfectly You: Authenticity is our best currency | Mariana Atencio | Talent Connect 2019 (CC)]</ref>, Microsoft<ref>[https://www.microsoftalumni.com/s/1769/19/interior.aspx?sid=1769&gid=2&pgid=1910&content_id=6897 Outside in: Mariana Atencio]</ref>, and the United Nations Girl Up Leadership Summit<ref>[https://www.today.com/video/girl-up-summit-inspires-young-women-to-change-the-world-64632389591 Girl Up summit inspires young women to change the world]</ref>.
⚫
==Career==
Atencio started her journalism career in 2009 at Globovision in New York City.and as an anchor for the [[V-me|Vme-TV]] network.<ref name="univision bio"/><ref name="univision bio"/> In 2012, she began working as an investigative reporter at [[Univision]].<ref name="univision bio"/> Atencio was one of five reporters who worked on the [[Peabody Award]] winning documentary Rapido y Furioso (Fast & Furious) for which they received an [[Investigative Reporters and Editors]] Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/peabody-award-winning-univision-investigation-fast-furious/story?id=18840809#.UdTpceArjTQ |title=Behind the Peabody Award-Winning Univision Investigation of 'Fast and Furious" - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date=2013-03-30 |accessdate=2013-09-02}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.ire.org/publications/ire-journal/search-journal-archives/2206/ |format=PDF |title=IRE Award Winners: Spring 2013 |publisher=Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc. |accessdate=8 January 2018}}</ref> In 2014, Atencio received a [[Gracie Award]] from the [[Alliance for Women in Media]] for her work on the Univision documentary, "Pressured: Freedom of the Press."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wearefusion.tumblr.com/post/78142596070/fusions-mariana-atencio-recognized-with-gracie|title=Fusion’s Mariana Atencio Recognized with Gracie Award|publisher=Fusion|date=28 February 2014}}</ref>


She was named one of AdWeeks’s Young Influentials 40 under 40 in November 2019<ref>[https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/29-savvy-stars-changing-the-way-we-think-about-branding/#/ 29 Savvy Stars Changing the Way We Think About Branding]</ref>.
Atencio anchored 'The Morning Show' on [[Fusion TV]] channel until its cancellation in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediamoves.com/2014/12/fusion-live-cancelled-javier-guzman-leaves-network.html|title="Fusion Live" cancelled, Javier Guzmán leaves network|date=2014-12-12|newspaper=Media Moves|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-27}}</ref> She was the reporter for Fusion's National Headliner Award-winning segment, "Unearthing the Tomb."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wearefusion.tumblr.com/post/142460895194/fusion-recognized-with-national-headliner-award|title=FUSION Recognized with National Headliner Award}}</ref> Her report entitled, “Mexico Massacres,” received recognition from The National Association of Hispanic Journalists.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wearefusion.tumblr.com/post/129569362744/fusion-recognized-with-3-nahj-journalism-awards/embed|title=FUSION Recognized with 3 NAHJ Journalism Awards}}</ref>


Atencio is the co-founder of GoLike, a multimedia production company, under which her book was published<ref>[https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/29-savvy-stars-changing-the-way-we-think-about-branding/#/Mariana-Atencio 29 Savvy Stars Changing the Way We Think About Branding]</ref>.
Atencio covered Latino voters for [[MSNBC]] during the 2016 presidential campaign and interviewed Vice-Presidential candidate Tim Kaine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ru-clip.com/video/goU08X1O1dM/puerto-rican-families-in-florida-could-swing-the-election-msnbc.html|title=Puerto Rican Families In Florida Could Swing The Election}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlW1S10slFo|title=Tim Kaine: Latinos Will Be A Powerful Voice In This Election}}</ref> In 2017, Atencio worked for NBC on reporting for [[Hurricane Maria]] in Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/outside-san-juan-puerto-ricans-plea-for-supplies-1065214019728|title=Outside San Juan, Puerto Ricans plea for supplies (video)|date=7 October 2017}}</ref> In 2019 Atencio, was part of a 77-member team recognized with [[The Hillman Prize]] from the Sidney Hillman Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Torn Apart |url=http://hillmanfoundation.org/hillman-prizes/2019-hillman-prize-broadcast-journalism |website=Hillman Foundation |language=en |date=16 April 2019}}</ref>


==Personal life==
== Early life and education ==
Mariana del Carmen Atencio Cervoni was born in [[Caracas]], [[Venezuela]] to Alvaro Atencio and Diana Cervoni. She is the oldest of three children.
Atencio married real estate entrepreneur, Jose Antonio Torbay, in 2015.<ref name="People mag"/>


Atencio has a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the [[Andrés Bello Catholic University|Universidad Católica Andrés Bello]]<ref>[https://www.univision.com/noticias/univision-investiga/mariana-atencio Mariana Atencio. La periodista Mariana Atencio es miembro del equipo de Univision Investiga del departamento de Noticias de la Cadena Univision]</ref>. As a junior in college, she participated in the 2007 wave of pro-democracy student protests after former Venezuelan president [[Hugo Chávez]] [[2007 Venezuelan RCTV protests|shut down RCTV]], the country’s oldest television network. As a student activist, Atencio would organize during classes. She and her fellow students were tear-gassed and water cannons were opened on them. Atencio credits the protests as an influence to become a journalist<ref>[https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/mariana-atencio-talks-new-book/ Journalist Mariana Atencio Details Personal Tragedy and Career Struggles in Inspirational New Memoir]</ref>.
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last1=Atencio |first1=Mariana |title=Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real |date=2019 |publisher=W Publishing Group |isbn=9780785228387 |oclc=1080997518 |language=English}}


In 2008, she emigrated to the [[United States]] after being awarded the Castagno full-merit scholarship from [[Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism]].
⚫
==References==

{{Reflist|30em}}
⚫
== Career ==
In 2009, Atencio started her journalism career as a reporter at Impremedia's [[El Diario La Prensa]] in New York City, the oldest Hispanic newspaper in the US<ref>[https://www.univision.com/noticias/univision-investiga/mariana-atencio Mariana Atencio. La periodista Mariana Atencio es miembro del equipo de Univision Investiga del departamento de Noticias de la Cadena Univision]</ref>. From 2010-2011, she reported and anchored for VME-TV, the only Hispanic public service television station in the [[United States]]<ref>[https://diversitymbamagazine.com/diversity-inclusion/hispanic-latino/award-winning-journalist-mariana-atencio/ Award Winning Journalist Mariana Atencio]</ref>.

== Univision and Fusion (2011-2016) ==
Atencio began working as a guest anchor and correspondent for Univision News in 2011. She covered the 2012 presidential election for the network’s morning program [[Despierta América]] and its flagship evening newscast [[Noticiero Univision]]<ref>[http://huelladigital.univisionnoticias.com/impacto-latino/mariana-atencio/index9ed2.html?lang=en Mariana Atencio]</ref>.

She also served as a reporter for the network’s Investigative Unit. In 2013 she was part of a five-person reporting team that won Univision's first Peabody Award for "Fast and Furious: Arming the Enemy," an hour-long investigation on the gun-walking scandal known as [[ATF gunwalking scandal|Operation Fast and Furious]]<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/peabody-award-winning-univision-investigation-fast-furious/story?id=18840809 Inside the Award-Winning "Fast and Furious" Investigation]</ref>.

Atencio was awarded a [[Gracie Award]] for her lead reporting on “PRESSionados,” a one-hour special on the state of press freedom in Latin America that aired in December 2013 on Univision and its digital platforms<ref>[https://elpais.com/sociedad/2013/12/14/actualidad/1387034602_968736.html En algunos países de América Latina no hay libertad de prensa]</ref>.

In 2013, Atencio joined FUSION TV, an English-language cable news network created by [[ABC News]] and [[Univision]] for U.S millennials<ref>[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fusion-unveils-morning-program-morning-show-124185 Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show']</ref>.

Atencio was a member of the anchor team for the network’s [[The Morning Show (American TV series)|The Morning Show]], a two-hour program featuring a mix of hard news, feature stories and live interviews<ref>[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/fusion-unveils-morning-program-morning-show-124185 Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show']</ref>.

She also served as a field correspondent. Atencio led the network’s on-the-ground coverage of the 2014 protests in [[Venezuela]] amid growing violence and scarcity, where she also contributed to [[ABC News]]<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/International/video/venezuelan-opposition-leader-leopoldo-lopezs-arrest-intensifies-protests-22589920 Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Arrest Intensifies Protests]</ref><ref>[https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fusion-venezuela-abc-news-ukraine_n_4848861 Fusion CEO Says Network’s Partnerships Shone During International Coverage]</ref>. She covered other notable stories such as the [[shooting of Michael Brown]] in Ferguson, [[2014 Hong Kong protests|the Umbrella Revolution]] in Hong Kong and the [[2014 Iguala mass kidnapping]], where 43 students went missing in Mexico<ref>[https://wearefusion.tumblr.com/post/129569362744/fusion-recognized-with-3-nahj-journalism-awards/embed FUSION Recognized with 3 NAHJ Journalism Awards]</ref>.

In 2015, she was a reporter in [[McAllen, Texas]] for ABC News’ virtual town hall with [[Pope Francis]] ahead of his first visit to the United States<ref>[https://todayscatholic.org/pope-holds-virtual-town-hall-with-abc-and-catholics-in-3-cities/ Pope holds 'virtual town hall' with ABC and Catholics in 3 cities]</ref>. She interacted with Pope Francis and translated on live television for recent immigrants who wanted to ask the pope questions<ref>[https://www.emmys.com/news/mix/passion-and-purpose Passion and Purpose]</ref>.

In March 2016, she was part of the anchor-team for Univision and The Washington Post’s debate between Democratic candidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Bernie Sanders]]<ref>[https://www.univision.com/noticias/destino-2016/univision-noticias-un-menu-digital-para-seguir-el-debate-democrata-de-miami Univision Noticias: un menú digital para seguir el debate demócrata de Miami]</ref>.

== MSNBC and NBC News (2016 - present) ==
Atencio made the crossover from Spanish to English-language network news in September 2016 when she became a correspondent for [[MSNBC]] and [[NBC]] based in [[Miami]]. She is currently the only Latina correspondent on the cable network<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/viviannunez/2019/05/31/mariana-atencios-next-career-step-is-a-book-that-challenges-latinas-to-live-their-full-potential/#362df8691982 Mariana Atencio's Next Career Step Is A Book That Challenges Latinas To Live Their Full Potential]</ref>.
As a correspondent, Atencio specializes in covering immigration and doing live on-air translations from Spanish<ref>[https://www.naludamagazine.com/mariana-atencio-interview/ Interview with Award Winning TV Personality on Diversity & Activism Mariana Atencio]</ref>. She has reported on notable stories such as [[Central American migrant caravans]], the child separation crisis at the border and the ICE raids across several Mississippi chicken plants that led to the arrest of 680 undocumented immigrants.

Atencio’s live interviews with migrant mothers in Reynosa, Mexico during the Trump administration’s family separation policy was nominated for a [[Emmy Award]]<ref>[http://cdn.emmyonline.org/news-doc-40th-emmys-nominations-v03.pdf NOMINEES FOR THE 40th ANNUAL
NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS
ANNOUNCED]</ref>.

She has also focused on coverage of U.S. Latinos. During the 2020 presidential race, the 2018 midterms and the 2016 presidential campaign, she reported on Hispanic voters across the country<ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/hallie-jackson/watch/suburban-detroit-voters-speak-on-key-election-issues-1363180611664 Suburban Detroit voters speak on key election issues]</ref>. In 2019, she was part of a team of NBC and MSNBC reporters, known as “Road Warriors,” that were awarded the First Amendment Clarity Award for their coverage of the 2018 midterm elections<ref>[http://www.firstamendmentawards.org/first-amendment-clarity-award/ First Amendment Clarity Award]</ref>.

She has covered major natural disasters including the earthquake in Mexico<ref>[https://peopleenespanol.com/chica/mariana-atencio-talks-new-book/ Journalist Mariana Atencio Details Personal Tragedy and Career Struggles in Inspirational New Memoir]</ref>, as well as the aftermath of Hurricanes Maria<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/digital-docs/video/four-months-after-hurricane-maria-many-schools-have-no-power-in-puerto-rico-1137348163512 Four months after hurricane Maria many schooks have no power in Puerto Rico]</ref>, Harvey<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK_QyNwHt4A Man Surveys Hurricane Harvey Damage, Fords Flooded Roads In His Pickup | MSNBC]</ref>, Florence<ref>[https://globalnews.ca/video/4450766/reporter-battered-by-hurricane-florence-as-she-walks-through-ghost-town-oak-island-nc Reporter battered by Hurricane Florence as she walks through ‘ghost town’ Oak Island, NC]</ref>, Michael<ref>[http://www.msnbc.com/katy-tur/watch/florida-cfo-on-hurricane-michael-recovery-1344776259697 Florida CFO on Hurricane Michael recovery]</ref> and Dorian<ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/velshi-ruhle/watch/a-harrowing-story-of-survival-from-hurricane-dorian-in-the-bahamas-68173381868 A harrowing story of survival from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas]</ref>.

[[National Association of Hispanic Journalists]] recognized her with the 2019 Presidential Award<ref>[https://www.adweek.com/tvnewser/fox-news-trey-yingst-and-nbc-news-mariana-atencio-make-adweeks-young-influentials-list-for-2019/421451/ Fox News’ Trey Yingst, and NBC News’ Mariana Atencio Make Adweek’s Young Influentials List for 2019]</ref>. She was also awarded Columbia’s First Decade Award<ref>[https://journalism.columbia.edu/alumni-winners-2019 Columbia Journalism Names Winners of 2019 Alumni Awards]</ref>.

== Personal life ==
Atencio married Jose Torbay, a Venezuelan tech and real estate entrepreneur in 2015<ref>[https://peopleenespanol.com/article/periodista-mariana-atencio-comienza-nuevo-capitulo-boda-casa-miami-feliz-univision/ La periodista Mariana Atencio comienza un nuevo capítulo en su vida (FOTOS)]</ref>.

She has written extensively about her sister Graciela Atencio. In 2014, Graciela was involved in a car accident in New York City. After multiple surgeries, she was able to regain her ability to walk. Mariana and her sister went on the air with the story to promote awareness for kids with disabilities<ref>[https://www.univision.com/especiales/teleton-usa/la-familia-de-mariana-atencio-vive-la-discapacidad-de-cerca-video La familia de Mariana Atencio vive la "discapacidad" de cerca]</ref>.

Atencio’s father passed away in February 2018 due to complications from pneumonia after contracting the flu. She chronicled his health crisis in the hospital in [[Caracas]] and the lack of basic medical supplies in [[Venezuela]] as a result of the humanitarian crisis<ref>[https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/venezuelas-health-crisis In the chaos of Venezuela, a daughter fights for her father’s life]</ref><ref>[https://people.com/chica/mariana-atencios-father-dies-in-venezuelan-hospital-during-heathcare-crisis/ MSNBC Journalist Mourns Father's Death and Sheds Light on Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela]</ref>.

After her father’s death, Mariana returned to Venezuela in April 2018 and partnered with the NGO Comparte por Una Vida to donate 1,000 meal supplements for children at the JM de Los Rios Children’s Hospital in Caracas<ref>[https://thehedonistmagazine.com/2019/08/05/mariana-atencio-perfectly-you-embracing-the-power-of-being-real/ Mariana Atencio | Perfectly You: Embracing The Power Of Being Real]</ref>.

== Speaking ==
Atencio is a two-time speaker at Tedx University of Nevada<ref>[https://tedxuniversityofnevada.org/speakers/mariana-atencio/ Mariana Atencio]</ref>.

Her second Tedx talk “What Makes You Special” has been viewed more than 10.7 million times<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MY5SatbZMAo&t What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada]</ref>.

She has also spoken at other events including [[American Library Association]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REbsFFoKZyQ ALA Annual 2019 - Mariana Atencio on Librarians Developing Leaders]</ref>, LinkedIn annual conference<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxuyFQT9sGM Perfectly You: Authenticity is our best currency | Mariana Atencio | Talent Connect 2019 (CC)]</ref>, [[UnidosUS]]<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLIvqT3p0O8 Mariana Atencio, News Correspondent, MSNBC]</ref>, Citi Private Bank’s Autumn Dialogues, United Nations Girl Up Leadership Summit<ref>[https://www.today.com/video/girl-up-summit-inspires-young-women-to-change-the-world-64632389591 Girl Up summit inspires young women to change the world]</ref> and United Nations Latino Impact Summit<ref>[https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/la-fundacion-pvblic-e-ismael-cala-convocan-en-la-onu-un-debate-sobre-el-futuro-de-america-latina-588868041.html La Fundación PVBLIC e Ismael Cala convocan en la ONU un debate sobre el futuro de América Latina]</ref>.

== Book ==
On June 11, 2019, Harper Collins published Atencio’s first book Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real, in English and Spanish. The book is self-help and part autobiography<ref>[https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/perfectly-you/ Perfectly You. From MSNBC award-winning news journalist Mariana Atencio]</ref>.

On the week of its release the book reached #1 on Amazon’s Best Seller list for Hispanic & Latino Biographies and Christian Social Issues. Its audio counterpart was also named an Apple “Must-Listen” as well as an Audible Editor’s Select in June 2019<ref>[https://www.audible.com/ep/jun19-editors-select?pf_rd_p=467b4db0-7926-4295-9092-6a0799b2db8f&pf_rd_r=ZW5ZHR5FRW7N7DXVG9HQ&ref=a_ep_Editor_c6_-1-0 Editors Select new in june]</ref>.

⚫
== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.golikemariana.com/ Oficial Website]
*{{Instagram|marianaatenciol}}
*{{Twitter|marianaatenciol}}
*{{Facebook|marianaatenciol}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Atencio, Mariana}}
[[Category:1984 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:MSNBC people]]
[[Category:MSNBC people]]

Revision as of 04:17, 22 November 2019

Mariana Atencio
File:Atencio Mariana.jpg
BornApril 2
Caracas, Venezuela
NationalityVenezuelan-American
EducationColumbia University Graduate School of Journalism (MA)
Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, Caracas (BA)
OccupationAnchor/Correspondent
EmployerNBC News & MSNBC (2016-present)
SpouseJosé Antonio Torbay
AwardsPeabody Award, Investigative Reporters and Editors Award, Gracie Award

Mariana Atencio is a Peabody Award-winning bilingual journalist, author and public speaker. She is currently a national correspondent for MSNBC and NBC News. Previously, Atencio was an anchor and correspondent for Univision News and the millennial start-up FUSION [1]. Her reporting has also been featured on ABC News[2].

In 2019, she published the memoir “Perfectly You: Embracing The Power of Being Real”[3].

She has given keynote speeches at Tedx[4], LinkedIn[5], Microsoft[6], and the United Nations Girl Up Leadership Summit[7].

She was named one of AdWeeks’s Young Influentials 40 under 40 in November 2019[8].

Atencio is the co-founder of GoLike, a multimedia production company, under which her book was published[9].

Early life and education

Mariana del Carmen Atencio Cervoni was born in Caracas, Venezuela to Alvaro Atencio and Diana Cervoni. She is the oldest of three children.

Atencio has a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello[10]. As a junior in college, she participated in the 2007 wave of pro-democracy student protests after former Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez shut down RCTV, the country’s oldest television network. As a student activist, Atencio would organize during classes. She and her fellow students were tear-gassed and water cannons were opened on them. Atencio credits the protests as an influence to become a journalist[11].

In 2008, she emigrated to the United States after being awarded the Castagno full-merit scholarship from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Career

In 2009, Atencio started her journalism career as a reporter at Impremedia's El Diario La Prensa in New York City, the oldest Hispanic newspaper in the US[12]. From 2010-2011, she reported and anchored for VME-TV, the only Hispanic public service television station in the United States[13].

Univision and Fusion (2011-2016)

Atencio began working as a guest anchor and correspondent for Univision News in 2011. She covered the 2012 presidential election for the network’s morning program Despierta América and its flagship evening newscast Noticiero Univision[14].

She also served as a reporter for the network’s Investigative Unit. In 2013 she was part of a five-person reporting team that won Univision's first Peabody Award for "Fast and Furious: Arming the Enemy," an hour-long investigation on the gun-walking scandal known as Operation Fast and Furious[15].

Atencio was awarded a Gracie Award for her lead reporting on “PRESSionados,” a one-hour special on the state of press freedom in Latin America that aired in December 2013 on Univision and its digital platforms[16].

In 2013, Atencio joined FUSION TV, an English-language cable news network created by ABC News and Univision for U.S millennials[17].

Atencio was a member of the anchor team for the network’s The Morning Show, a two-hour program featuring a mix of hard news, feature stories and live interviews[18].

She also served as a field correspondent. Atencio led the network’s on-the-ground coverage of the 2014 protests in Venezuela amid growing violence and scarcity, where she also contributed to ABC News[19][20]. She covered other notable stories such as the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, the Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong and the 2014 Iguala mass kidnapping, where 43 students went missing in Mexico[21].

In 2015, she was a reporter in McAllen, Texas for ABC News’ virtual town hall with Pope Francis ahead of his first visit to the United States[22]. She interacted with Pope Francis and translated on live television for recent immigrants who wanted to ask the pope questions[23].

In March 2016, she was part of the anchor-team for Univision and The Washington Post’s debate between Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders[24].

MSNBC and NBC News (2016 - present)

Atencio made the crossover from Spanish to English-language network news in September 2016 when she became a correspondent for MSNBC and NBC based in Miami. She is currently the only Latina correspondent on the cable network[25]. As a correspondent, Atencio specializes in covering immigration and doing live on-air translations from Spanish[26]. She has reported on notable stories such as Central American migrant caravans, the child separation crisis at the border and the ICE raids across several Mississippi chicken plants that led to the arrest of 680 undocumented immigrants.

Atencio’s live interviews with migrant mothers in Reynosa, Mexico during the Trump administration’s family separation policy was nominated for a Emmy Award[27].

She has also focused on coverage of U.S. Latinos. During the 2020 presidential race, the 2018 midterms and the 2016 presidential campaign, she reported on Hispanic voters across the country[28]. In 2019, she was part of a team of NBC and MSNBC reporters, known as “Road Warriors,” that were awarded the First Amendment Clarity Award for their coverage of the 2018 midterm elections[29].

She has covered major natural disasters including the earthquake in Mexico[30], as well as the aftermath of Hurricanes Maria[31], Harvey[32], Florence[33], Michael[34] and Dorian[35].

National Association of Hispanic Journalists recognized her with the 2019 Presidential Award[36]. She was also awarded Columbia’s First Decade Award[37].

Personal life

Atencio married Jose Torbay, a Venezuelan tech and real estate entrepreneur in 2015[38].

She has written extensively about her sister Graciela Atencio. In 2014, Graciela was involved in a car accident in New York City. After multiple surgeries, she was able to regain her ability to walk. Mariana and her sister went on the air with the story to promote awareness for kids with disabilities[39].

Atencio’s father passed away in February 2018 due to complications from pneumonia after contracting the flu. She chronicled his health crisis in the hospital in Caracas and the lack of basic medical supplies in Venezuela as a result of the humanitarian crisis[40][41].

After her father’s death, Mariana returned to Venezuela in April 2018 and partnered with the NGO Comparte por Una Vida to donate 1,000 meal supplements for children at the JM de Los Rios Children’s Hospital in Caracas[42].

Speaking

Atencio is a two-time speaker at Tedx University of Nevada[43].

Her second Tedx talk “What Makes You Special” has been viewed more than 10.7 million times[44].

She has also spoken at other events including American Library Association[45], LinkedIn annual conference[46], UnidosUS[47], Citi Private Bank’s Autumn Dialogues, United Nations Girl Up Leadership Summit[48] and United Nations Latino Impact Summit[49].

Book

On June 11, 2019, Harper Collins published Atencio’s first book Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real, in English and Spanish. The book is self-help and part autobiography[50].

On the week of its release the book reached #1 on Amazon’s Best Seller list for Hispanic & Latino Biographies and Christian Social Issues. Its audio counterpart was also named an Apple “Must-Listen” as well as an Audible Editor’s Select in June 2019[51].

References

  1. ^ Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show'
  2. ^ Pope holds 'virtual town hall' with ABC and Catholics in 3 cities
  3. ^ “Perfectly You”. From MSNBC award-winning news journalist Mariana Atencio
  4. ^ What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada
  5. ^ Perfectly You: Authenticity is our best currency | Mariana Atencio | Talent Connect 2019 (CC)
  6. ^ Outside in: Mariana Atencio
  7. ^ Girl Up summit inspires young women to change the world
  8. ^ 29 Savvy Stars Changing the Way We Think About Branding
  9. ^ 29 Savvy Stars Changing the Way We Think About Branding
  10. ^ Mariana Atencio. La periodista Mariana Atencio es miembro del equipo de Univision Investiga del departamento de Noticias de la Cadena Univision
  11. ^ Journalist Mariana Atencio Details Personal Tragedy and Career Struggles in Inspirational New Memoir
  12. ^ Mariana Atencio. La periodista Mariana Atencio es miembro del equipo de Univision Investiga del departamento de Noticias de la Cadena Univision
  13. ^ Award Winning Journalist Mariana Atencio
  14. ^ Mariana Atencio
  15. ^ Inside the Award-Winning "Fast and Furious" Investigation
  16. ^ En algunos países de América Latina no hay libertad de prensa
  17. ^ Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show'
  18. ^ Fusion Unveils Morning Program, 'The Morning Show'
  19. ^ Venezuelan Opposition Leader's Arrest Intensifies Protests
  20. ^ Fusion CEO Says Network’s Partnerships Shone During International Coverage
  21. ^ FUSION Recognized with 3 NAHJ Journalism Awards
  22. ^ Pope holds 'virtual town hall' with ABC and Catholics in 3 cities
  23. ^ Passion and Purpose
  24. ^ Univision Noticias: un menú digital para seguir el debate demócrata de Miami
  25. ^ Mariana Atencio's Next Career Step Is A Book That Challenges Latinas To Live Their Full Potential
  26. ^ Interview with Award Winning TV Personality on Diversity & Activism Mariana Atencio
  27. ^ [http://cdn.emmyonline.org/news-doc-40th-emmys-nominations-v03.pdf NOMINEES FOR THE 40th ANNUAL NEWS & DOCUMENTARY EMMY® AWARDS ANNOUNCED]
  28. ^ Suburban Detroit voters speak on key election issues
  29. ^ First Amendment Clarity Award
  30. ^ Journalist Mariana Atencio Details Personal Tragedy and Career Struggles in Inspirational New Memoir
  31. ^ Four months after hurricane Maria many schooks have no power in Puerto Rico
  32. ^ Man Surveys Hurricane Harvey Damage, Fords Flooded Roads In His Pickup | MSNBC
  33. ^ Reporter battered by Hurricane Florence as she walks through ‘ghost town’ Oak Island, NC
  34. ^ Florida CFO on Hurricane Michael recovery
  35. ^ A harrowing story of survival from Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas
  36. ^ Fox News’ Trey Yingst, and NBC News’ Mariana Atencio Make Adweek’s Young Influentials List for 2019
  37. ^ Columbia Journalism Names Winners of 2019 Alumni Awards
  38. ^ La periodista Mariana Atencio comienza un nuevo capítulo en su vida (FOTOS)
  39. ^ La familia de Mariana Atencio vive la "discapacidad" de cerca
  40. ^ In the chaos of Venezuela, a daughter fights for her father’s life
  41. ^ MSNBC Journalist Mourns Father's Death and Sheds Light on Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela
  42. ^ Mariana Atencio | Perfectly You: Embracing The Power Of Being Real
  43. ^ Mariana Atencio
  44. ^ What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada
  45. ^ ALA Annual 2019 - Mariana Atencio on Librarians Developing Leaders
  46. ^ Perfectly You: Authenticity is our best currency | Mariana Atencio | Talent Connect 2019 (CC)
  47. ^ Mariana Atencio, News Correspondent, MSNBC
  48. ^ Girl Up summit inspires young women to change the world
  49. ^ La Fundación PVBLIC e Ismael Cala convocan en la ONU un debate sobre el futuro de América Latina
  50. ^ Perfectly You. From MSNBC award-winning news journalist Mariana Atencio
  51. ^ Editors Select new in june
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