A resilient engineer with courage and purpose

For Claudia Díaz, engineering has never only been about systems, processes or numbers. It has always been about people – and finding meaning even in the most unexpected challenges.

Born in Valencia, Venezuela, at just three years old, Claudia was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic and degenerative disease that shaped her childhood, leading to physical limitations and emotional uncertainty. As a result, she learned to be resilient early in life. As she got older, doctors advised her to avoid stress, a demanding career and even questioned whether starting a family would be possible. Yet one dream never faded: becoming an engineer.

“I was often told what I shouldn’t do,” Claudia remembers. “But deep down, I always felt that engineering was exactly where I belonged.”

Choosing courage over certainty

Claudia went on to study industrial engineering, determined to prove that her diagnosis would not define her future. She began her professional career in a highly demanding environment in Venezuela. While the role allowed her to apply her technical skills, the intense pressure eventually took a toll on her health. Her medication stopped working, forcing her to pause and to listen to her body.

What felt like a setback became a turning point. Claudia stepped away from work and committed to a year-long holistic healing process. This experience sparked another calling. Alongside engineering, Claudia trained as a health and wellbeing coach, discovering a passion for helping others regulate emotions, manage stress and reconnect with their own strength.

Rebuilding a meaningful life and career 

In 2016, Claudia took another brave step and moved to Bogotá, Colombia, on her own, starting from scratch in a new country. There, she built a new life grounded in purpose, becoming a mother and developing a successful career in people-centered sales. Her ability to listen, connect and build trust quickly became her strongest asset.

This combination of engineering logic, commercial experience, and emotional intelligence eventually led her to GEA, where she joined the service sales team in 2023.
Today, Claudia brings her whole self to work. Beyond her role, she continues to live her passion as an “emotional engineer,” developing R.E.S.P.I.R.A., a wellbeing initiative based on conscious breathing and emotional self-regulation. This regional program supports individuals and teams in managing stress, building resilience and creating healthier, more present workplaces.

Redefining strength in engineering 

Claudia’s story challenges traditional ideas of what it means to succeed in engineering. Her journey shows that strength isn’t always loud or linear; sometimes it’s about listening closely, adapting with intention and having the courage to grow in new directions. 

“At GEA, I feel encouraged to bring my full story to work,” Claudia says. “My experiences, my passion for people and my health journey aren’t seen as weaknesses. They’re part of my strength.” 
For Claudia, engineering is more than a profession. It’s a way to create meaningful impact by combining science with humanity, performance with empathy and results with purpose. 
Her journey is also a powerful reminder that dreams don’t have to disappear when life becomes difficult. Sometimes, they simply take a different shape. 

“To anyone dealing with doubt, a challenging period or illnesses where the path feels too hard,” she says, “don’t measure yourself by the limits others place on you. Listen to your body, trust your inner voice and move forward at your own pace. Progress is still progress, even when it looks different than you imagined.” 

Claudia’s story shows that resilience isn’t about pushing endlessly. It’s about adapting with courage, staying true to yourself and continuing to move forward – one step at a time.