At SentinelOne, we’re proud of the incredible talent, perspectives, and lived experiences that shape who we are. Our people don’t just power our technology — they bring unique perspectives, cultural richness, and personal journeys that make us stronger as a company and as a community.
This month, we’re honored to spotlight several Sentinels whose stories remind us that identity and experience fuel the creativity, resilience, and innovation that define SentinelOne. From navigating new cultures to building global teams, each of these journeys highlights the strength that comes from authenticity and the impact of bringing your whole self to work.
Joshua Hernandez, Creative Director, Brand Marketing
Growing up in Southern California, Joshua was raised to blend in. “My dad is from Mexico, and when he moved here, I think he saw how people treated him differently because of his thick accent,” he said. “There were challenges he had to overcome that he never wanted us to face. That’s why my parents never taught us Spanish. They wanted us to be as American as possible, to be just like everyone else.”
But for Joshua, something felt missing. “I was living in the culture, celebrating the events and traditions, surrounded by my extended family on both sides, but I didn’t speak the language. That just didn’t feel right.” He eventually began learning Spanish in college. “I know enough to get by now, but I wouldn’t say I’m fluent.”
That feeling of being caught between cultures followed him into his career. “When you’re Latino in the U.S., and your parents push you to go to college, art isn’t usually the path they imagine,” he said. “My dad didn’t fully understand what my job was going to be until my graduation.”
And in the professional world, representation was rare. “Every place I’ve worked before SentinelOne, whether it was an agency or a brand, I was usually the only Mexican in the room.”
That sense of otherness was hard to shake. “I’ve definitely heard offhand comments,” he said. “And honestly, I fed into it too. Growing up in a middle-class, mostly white neighborhood, I always felt the need to bring it up, to joke about being Hispanic before anyone else did. It became this elephant in the room.” One day, he decided to stop. “And to my surprise, nobody really cared. It was me, my own fear of being different, that was driving it. That day, everything shifted. I didn’t feel the need to apologize anymore. I take bolder actions now. I operate as I am, and I have just as much right to be here as anyone else.”
Being Latino, he said, brings many strengths. “Hispanic culture is dedicated and hardworking. We start working young, and we take pride in doing things well. We’re driven. That’s cultural.” It’s also deeply social. “You have a big family, a strong support system. You’re never really alone. You grow up understanding relationships, and that helps a lot as a team leader.”
Joshua believes that diversity in background, identity, and experience makes creative teams stronger. “SentinelOne is one of the most culturally diverse companies I’ve worked for, if not the most,” he said. “My team spans the globe. One member is in Paris, another in Nigeria. That kind of cultural mix brings something unique to the work. It makes everything better.”
Adriana Corona, Senior Director, Product Management
Born in Mexico and raised in Florida, Adriana grew up surrounded by difference — and embraced it. “I’m Mexican, but also American. My stepdad is Cuban, and my best friends growing up were Indian, Korean, Filipino, and Trinidadian,” she said. “Florida was a great place to grow up for a Latino child. Being different was the norm there. That really influenced me and taught me very early on that looking outside of myself and outside of my comfort zone for other perspectives was rewarding. It helped me grow.”
That layered sense of identity shaped more than just her worldview. It also defined her career. “I’ve had a lot of different jobs over the years,” she said. “Not just at different companies, but in totally different functions. I studied computer science, but I also worked as a security analyst. And then I became a UX researcher and a designer.” That adaptability, she believes, is rooted in her multicultural upbringing. “I’ve always adapted to different environments. But I’m still rooted in my culture.”
It’s a culture she now sees reflected more often in the tech world, which she finds encouraging. “When I first started in tech, there weren’t many Latin people here, and very few women,” she recalled. “I’m still surprised by how little progress we’ve made as an industry toward women, but I have noticed a growing number of Latin professionals around me. That’s been amazing to see. A real shift from when I entered the field.”
For those just starting out, Adriana’s advice is to find community. “It’s really valuable to know you have people to talk to who might understand your experience,” she said. “Everyone feels unsure when they’re starting out. It’s not unique to any specific background. When you’re new, it helps to surround yourself with people you can learn from. Ask questions. Gain perspective from others who’ve been there. Even failing is okay. That’s how you grow. I think that combination — connection and a learning mindset — makes a big difference.”
Johan Tijerino, Senior Manager, Technical Support & Site Leader for Costa Rica
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Johan grew up in a region where access to certain resources was limited. Language training wasn’t widely available, and opportunities for higher education were not common. “Growing up where resources aren’t always abundant sharpens your problem-solving skills, creativity, and flexibility,” he said. “In my role now, when crises happen — and they do — that background helps me stay calm and work under pressure.”
At 19, Johan had the opportunity to travel to the United States for what was meant to be a summer trip. He stayed nearly a year. “I picked up the language, came back to Costa Rica, and got my first proper job,” he said. “That experience of adapting to a new culture and bringing that perspective home shaped how I lead today. It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying grounded in people.”
Now a site leader for SentinelOne’s Costa Rica office, Johan is focused on more than operations. He is helping shape a workplace culture that reflects both company values and local identity. “When I started, I was the first employee here,” he said. “We didn’t want to simply mirror headquarters. We wanted to create a unique SentinelOne Costa Rica identity. So we built on the company’s foundation while bringing in our own values — empathy, community, and what we call the Pura Vida lifestyle.”
Pura Vida, often translated as “pure life,” reflects a Costa Rican mindset of gratitude, calm, connection, and finding joy in simplicity, even during life’s challenges. Johan says that philosophy shapes not only how the office responds to pressure, but also how it celebrates. “We make space for our own traditions, like Costa Rica’s national holidays. This year we’re adding something new: El Día de la Máscara. It’s a tradition where people create colorful handmade masks and wear them in the streets. We’re inviting a master artisan to the office so each of us can make our own. It’s a fun way to connect with our roots.”
At the heart of his work is a belief in people-first leadership. “My background gave me an empathy-driven approach to leading others,” he said. “That’s what I bring into every room. And it’s part of what we’re building here at SentinelOne Costa Rica.”
Xochitl Ledesma, Director, GTM Strategy & Operations
“I was born in the U.S., but both of my parents are Mexican — and culturally, so am I,” said Xochitl. “I was lucky to grow up very close to my heritage, spending every summer as a child in Mexico with my grandmother. I absolutely loved it.”
Being Mexican and Latina has shaped how Xochitl approaches problems, relationships, and everyday life. “I’m known as someone who does a lot of planning, and I’m always looking to do as much as I can for others,” she said, smiling. “I learned that from my culture and my mom was exactly the same way.”
That mindset shapes the way she shows up at SentinelOne, especially in her leadership of the Latino Employee Resource Group she founded. What matters most to her isn’t just visibility, but connection. “I love seeing people post about what they’re doing in Costa Rica or Canada or anywhere,” she said. “The group is a space where culture meets joy. It’s one of the only channels where I know whatever pops up will make me smile.”
For Xochitl, culture lives in traditions — but also in feeling. In music, food, language, and shared energy. She lights up when talking about Christmas in Mexico, which begins in early December and doesn’t slow down for weeks. “There are the posadas, the food, the music, the piñatas — everyone comes together in the streets,” she said. “And on Christmas Eve, you don’t just stay up until midnight. Sometimes you stay up until the next midday. It’s laughter, conversation, dancing, crying. It’s a full-circle kind of celebration.”
Xochitl doesn’t see heritage as something that separates people. She sees it as something that brings them together. “What I love most is the exchange,” she said. “Yes, I’ll post something about Mexican culture in the Latino ERG, but then someone else will share something from their country or their family, and that’s how we’re all learning from each other. That’s the kind of workplace I want to be in. And that’s what we’re building here together.”