Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the vibrant heritage, history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx people. At Linktree, we celebrate this richness, strength, and diversity by spotlighting three incredible colleagues, Gigi Garcia, Cata de Leon, and Renata Volpe. Their journeys, values, and achievements remind us how cultural identity shapes who we are, enriches our team, and inspires the work we do together.

Gigi Garcia: From Crossing Borders to Building Bridges

Born in San Diego to parents from Mexico, Gigi spent nearly a decade living in Tijuana while attending school in the U.S. Each day’s routine included early mornings (4 am wake up calls), long lines, heavy backpacks, and border patrol. Crossing the border each morning taught her resilience and perseverance, while her parents’ emphasis on education inspired her to become the first in her family to attend college.

Education was a huge priority for her parents. They didn’t get the chance to finish high school and had a tough time finding their footing in the world of “corporate America.” They knew that if they wanted something different for them, it had to start with access to better opportunities, and for them, that meant an American education. That mindset stuck with her, and eventually, she became the first in her family to go to college!

Today, as a Brand Partnerships Manager at Linktree, Gigi helps scale Linktree Shops, supporting brands, creators, and affiliates. She thrives in a fast-paced environment where her ideas become real product features.

Pride, Perseverance, and the Power of Community

Gigi’s upbringing instilled in her a deep respect for tradition, from music and language to food and family gatherings that carried stories across generations. She also recognizes the dual identity many Hispanic and Latinx people navigate: holding on to heritage while embracing new opportunities.

At Linktree, she brings this perspective forward by connecting employees across backgrounds, mentoring younger colleagues, and advocating for inclusivity. “Appreciating and learning from other cultures is a human experience we should all lean into,” she says. She often reminds us that carrying on tradition means evolving while remembering where you come from, a message that reflects her commitment to representation and creating space for others to thrive. 

Gigi explains: "My Latinx identity has been foundational in shaping how I approach challenges and opportunities. Growing up navigating two cultures, two languages, and literally two countries every day taught me how to move between worlds, and that skill has become a superpower in the professional world."

Cata de Leon: Designing with Global Perspective

Cata grew up in Argentina with deep Cuban roots from both sides of her family. While she often felt “from everywhere and from nowhere,” she found belonging in the traditions of food, music, and community. Since moving to the U.S. four years ago, Hispanic Heritage Month has become especially meaningful as she raises children with both Argentine and Cuban heritage.

At Linktree, Cata works as a Product Designer, creating features that help users grow and understand their audiences. She thrives on balancing global impact with close collaboration on a small, diverse team. Her proudest achievement is founding Purple Bunny, a design agency that showcased Latin American talent for clients across the U.S., Australia, and Europe. Today, she is eager to explore how AI can enhance creativity and design.

Bridging Worlds, Building Futures

Cata’s journey reflects the intersections of culture, language, and ambition. She has often found herself acting as a bridge, not only translating words but also experiences and perspectives between those who fully understand and those who are still learning.

She believes that beyond the beauty of our countries, from the landscapes to the music to the food, what really makes Latin culture special is the way people come together. In Argentina, something as simple as a barbecue becomes hours of conversation, laughter, and connection. That sense of warmth and community is something she’s also found here with friends from Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and beyond. There’s a familiarity that makes you feel at home, even when you’re far from it.

Her professional contributions reflect this bridge-building, from leading cross-functional projects to shaping policies that acknowledge diverse realities. She’s passionate about sharing her journey and supporting other Latinx designers navigating their careers. “I want to make sure no one feels forced to choose between heritage and opportunity. You can have both, and together they make you stronger,” she says.

Renata Volpe: Embracing Roots, Delivering Care

Renata was born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, where her Italian and Indigenous heritage blended into a vibrant upbringing filled with food, music, and togetherness. She describes Brazilian culture as rooted in warmth and hospitality, from feijoada meals to stadium soccer rivalries to Carnaval street celebrations.

As a Customer Experience Specialist at Linktree, Renata supports Enterprise clients, works alongside Customer Success agents, and helps build internal processes. She thrives on connecting with people and creating meaningful client experiences, always guided by the empathy and hospitality of her Brazilian roots. For Renata, representation means visibility and pride: “Often, even as part of a large community, we can feel small. But nothing could be further from the truth: we are enormous.”

Cultural Roots, Creative Growth

Renata’s path is one of creativity, expression, and growth, deeply tied to her cultural identity. For her, traditions like art, dance, music, and storytelling are not just memories but living parts of how she works and creates.

She emphasizes that heritage is never static, it evolves as we move, learn, and meet new people. Renata’s openness about navigating multiple worlds and her commitment to reflection have made her a leader in empathy and innovation. As she puts it, “Heritage gives me roots; curiosity gives me wings.”

What Gigi, Cata, and Renata have to share with the Linktree Community

Gigi: “Appreciating and learning from other cultures is a human experience we should all lean into. Diversity isn’t just important, it’s essential to empathy, respect, and real connection.”

Cata: “Beyond the beauty of our countries—the landscapes, the music, the food—what really makes Latin culture special is the way people come together. In Argentina, something as simple as a barbecue becomes hours of conversation, laughter, and connection. That sense of warmth and community is something I’ve also found here with friends from Uruguay, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and beyond. There’s a familiarity that makes you feel at home, even when you’re far from it.”

Renata: “Celebrate and honor diversity, recognize the richness of Latin cultures, and share with the world the love, care, and hospitality our families have taught us since day one. Be proud of your identity, because it is one of the most beautiful things we carry within us.”

This month and every month, we celebrate Gigi, Cata, Renata, and all our colleagues whose stories shape who we are. Thank you for sharing your voices, your histories, and the brilliance that strengthens our community!

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