In a world where authenticity, flexibility, and impact are becoming more and more important criteria for leadership, Refugio A. Atilano is a powerful illustration of how vision, culture, and lived experience may come together for creating change. His journey to become the Director of Cultural Competency at one of the top ten global pharmaceutical corporations or his achievements in the Latino leadership space is anything but typical, but it is precisely this uncertainty that has moulded him into the transformative leader he is today.
Atilano was raised on the principles of perseverance, initiative, and camaraderie, and his early life started far from the large global businesses he currently impacts. Instead of impeding his success, a sports injury that changed his career turned into the accidental catalyst that set off a decades-long rise through Fortune 500 organizations. The cornerstones of his contemporary leadership style are a potent fusion of technical knowledge, exceptional collaboration, and cultural acuity that he is developing along the road.
With a background in cognitive neuroscience, Refugio A. Atilano is offering a distinct perspective on organizational dynamics, leadership development, and human behaviour. But what really sets him apart as a leader is his innate capacity to create visions, build deep connections, and motivate action. His leadership is characterized by impact, inclusivity, and intentionality, whether he is coaching the upcoming generation of diverse leaders in the making, publishing The Latino Leadership Playbook, or leading enterprise global initiatives.
In addition to developing business strategies, Refugio A. Atilano is currently changing the way cultural competency can be leveraged to drive the healthcare industry and beyond. His narrative is not just one of achievement; it is also one of purpose-driven leadership developed via fortitude, creativity, and an unwavering desire to inspire others to help change the world.
The Accidental Path to Purpose
Atilano ‘s journey to becoming a Director of Cultural Competency at a Top 10 global pharmaceutical company is like a masterclass in transforming obstacles into opportunities. After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a degree in cognitive neuroscience, his career took an unexpected turn that would ultimately lead him to his leadership.
“Early in my career, I fell into project management by pure chance.” Refugio A. Atilanoo reflects. As a telephone line installer at a phone company, his trajectory changed dramatically when a sports injury caused his Achilles tendon to rupture. What could have been a career-ending setback became a life-changing moment.
Unable to perform his physical duties, Refugio A. Atilano was reassigned to administrative work in the local office. Rather than viewing this as a demotion, he viewed it as an opportunity. “I remember being so bored that I started to find ways to stimulate my growth and add value,” he recalls. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to discover an unused office space filled with boxed computers and telecommunications training materials.
Taking the initiative that would become his trademark, Refugio A. Atilano set up the computers, mastered the training materials, and pitched an innovative idea to his manager: training all regional employees on telecommunications. The proposal was not only accepted but became the catalyst for his manager to advocate for his candidacy for a project management position at corporate headquarters.
This pivotal moment created what would become a 25-year career in managing global enterprise programs for Fortune 500 companies, demonstrating that sometimes the most unexpected detours lead to our true destinations.
From Neuroscience to Leadership Science
While Refugio A. Atilano did not pursue cognitive neuroscience professionally after graduation, the analytical abilities he developed proved invaluable throughout his career. “I did pick up great skills that I use today like researching new topics, developing hypotheses, working with teams, planning and executing tasks to reach a desired outcome.” he explains.
His ability to connect with others and entire communities, a skill he possessed from a young age, became what he now calls his “superpower.” Combined with leadership qualities developed through team sports where he created his own teams, designed plays, and set a culture of excellence, these foundational elements created a unique professional and personal toolkit.
Because of his background, he is now in a unique leadership role in both healthcare and in the U.S. Latino community where he is able to leverage culture to drive desired business and representation outcomes.
The Pandemic Pivot That Changed Everything
The COVID-19 pandemic, which devastated many careers and businesses, proved to be transformational for Refugio A. Atilano. He viewed the situation as an opportunity rather than a setback when the crisis hit. “The pandemic actually was one of the best things that happened for my career and personal passion projects,” he admits candidly.
This perspective shift led him to seek opportunities that would accelerate his growth, ultimately launching his current position at a global pharmaceutical company. The transition marked the beginning of a lengthy period of personal and professional development that would define his current position of leadership, both in business and the national Latino community.
During this time, Refugio A. Atilano led a global Employee Resource Group (ERG), authored “The Latino Leadership Playbook,” and began leveraging cultural insights to drive business innovation. “Had it not been for the pandemic, I would not be here answering these questions today,” he reflects, demonstrating his ability to find silver linings in the most challenging circumstances.
Bridging Cultures, Building Futures
In his current role as Director of Cultural Competency, Refugio A. Atilano is a unique position that allows him to fulfill both professional excellence and personal responsibility. His remit involves engaging with and utilizing cultural insights to advance patient-facing experiences, programs, and materials that directly impact healthcare outcomes for various populations worldwide.
“Working for a pharma company has provided me with an opportunity to leverage my natural ability to connect with others; I get to plug into and share the needs from various communities in order to help drive better health outcomes for those populations.” he explains. This role allows him to be a voice for community needs with the goal of helping to advance better health outcomes.
Simultaneously, Refugio A. Atilano has channeled his Latino cultural background into creating resources that address a critical gap in leadership representation. His book, “The Latino Leadership Playbook,” along with his leadership program “The Latino Leadership Club” and webcast “Latino Acceleration,” provides a comprehensive, real-world based overview of how Latinos can advance to senior leadership roles.
His urgency is due to the statistics, despite having 20% of the US population, Latinos have only 4% of senior-level positions across industries. He is committed to doing his part to advance his community so that they can reach their full potential and be the leaders of tomorrow that will help shape the future.
The Art of Balance in a Multifaceted Life
Managing a demanding corporate role while pursuing passion projects and maintaining family relationships requires what Refugio A. Atilano calls “the flexibility of having grown children” and great time-management planning. As an empty nester, he has found the freedom to be productive throughout all phases of his life, which is equally important to his sense of purpose.
His approach to balance is centered on efficiency and passion alignment. His content creation, including books and programs, is now implemented, requiring limited ongoing time investment while maximizing accessibility to the public. “My goal with these products is simple – it’s to close the representation gap we see at the leadership levels across all industries.” he explains.
Self-care has become an essential element of his routine. The one thing he has learned to appreciate is self-care: mentally, physically, and spiritually. This holistic approach to personal maintenance enables him to sustain high performance across multiple demanding areas of responsibility.
The Formula for Leadership Excellence
Atilano’s success stems from what he identifies as four core strengths: relationship development, strong communication skills, effective executive presence, and operating with an impact and ownership mindset. These elements form what he calls essential capabilities for developing a leadership brand that gets noticed.
“I have studied, practiced, and mastered these elements and now they are second nature,” he explains. This mastery didn’t happen overnight it required intentional development through leadership courses, countless hours of educational content consumption, high-visibility opportunities like Employee Resource Group leadership, and strategic networking with executives.
His advice to aspiring leaders is unequivocally focused: Develop. Develop. Develop. His career and unlocked potential changed immediately once he focused on his leadership skills development. He emphasizes that leadership development is a lifelong journey requiring continuous growth and adaptation.
Recognition and Impact
Atilano’s contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including ERG of the Year and DEI Award winner designations. However, his most significant achievement may be the in-progress systemic impact of his work creating accessible leadership development resources and advocating for cultural competency in healthcare.
His message to aspiring professionals is direct and actionable: “If you are not developing, you are giving up your seat to someone else who is. It’s that simple.” He emphasizes that hiring managers seek star players who are always growing, adding unique value, and excelling as team players.
A Vision for Tomorrow
Looking ahead, Refugio A. Atilano remains driven by the belief that his mission is “to do his part to change the world.” This conviction fuels his continued efforts across multiple fronts such as helping to shape the future of healthcare, advancing the collective leadership capability of the Latino community, and always leading by example.
His advice for career navigation acknowledges the reality of professional evolution: “It’s okay to pivot – your career is a journey and you will learn along the way. Embrace change, course correct and keep driving forward. Good things are ahead!”
From a telephone line installer with a torn Achilles to a pharmaceutical industry senior leader and a Latino community leader. Atilano’s journey demonstrates the power of perspective, persistence, and purpose. His story reminds us that the most powerful leaders don’t always emerge from linear paths, but from the ability to transform unexpected challenges into steppingstones towards extraordinary impact.
In a world increasingly recognizing the value of diverse perspectives and cultural competency, leaders like Refugio A. Atilano represent the future of business where success is measured not just in profit margins, but in the positive transformation of communities and the elevation of others to reach their full potential.
