Meet the NYC Startup Internship Alumni: Yadhira Vivaldo-Garcia

My name is Yadhira Vivaldo-Garcia. I am a proud first generation Mexican-American originally from Puebla, Mexico, who grew up in New York City. My journey started in the City College of Technology and then continued to Baruch College to further pursue marketing management.

I am currently interning at Leo AI, an adtech platform that makes automating video marketing for businesses quick and easy. Leo AI focuses on social signals to transform existing, unused video content into high-performing, data-driven video storytelling posts to boost ROI. My role is marketing executive with a focus on integrated marketing and growth strategy. Specifically, I handle email, Instagram, and LinkedIn communications; write compelling marketing copy; and help plan upcoming events to expand our brand presence, all while analyzing performance metrics to expand our reach and maximize ROI.

I've loved incorporating AI tools like Claude into my technical skill set and picking up new platforms like Luma to improve our email marketing/growth efforts, LinkedIn messaging, and event planning. The use of these tools has allowed us to dramatically cut down the time it takes to plan a campaign and enables us to focus on building relationships that matter. Additionally, having the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from industry professionals has significantly enhanced my communication skills and boosted my confidence, allowing me to connect our digital outreach efforts with our long-term growth strategies and engage with our target audiences.

On a typical day in the office, I start with a morning team sync to review recent wins, troubleshoot any questions, and align on our priorities for the week. During lunch, I love attending “Lunch & Learns” to connect with fellow interns and hear what they're working on. In the afternoon, I meet with my mentor for career guidance. For major questions, I turn to my supervisor, Lera, who has been incredibly helpful and patient with me, while relying on my experienced peer intern for quick day-to-day check-ins.

Looking ahead, I envision building a career in beauty marketing—a space where I can help others feel great and express themselves. Ideally, my dream job would blend strategic planning in the office with getting into the field to execute engaging, hands-on events. NYC will always be my home, though I’d love a career that lets me travel, too. What makes interning in New York so special is its diversity.

This experience has completely transformed my confidence. Beyond networking with amazing leaders, my biggest personal milestone was overcoming my fear of asking for help. To any NYC student considering this program: Just do it! Your future self will thank you for taking the leap, as you’ll gain an incredible support system of ambitious peers, lifelong industry contacts, and maybe even a close friend along the way.