Karla Blanco is the External Affairs, Social Equity, and STEM Research Director on the  Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact  Group in HR, at Intel Corporation. In this role, she oversees external affairs in more than 50 countries working to accelerate Intel's strategy to become the most inclusive and responsible company on the planet.

A 24-year Intel veteran, Blanco joined Intel as a Customs and Free Trade Zone specialist in the Finance department and advanced her career into different management and leadership positions, including the Corporate Affairs Director in Latin America overseeing corporate social responsibility, public relations, government affairs & social impact programs for the region. In her current position, she is responsible for the enablement of the Alliance for Global Inclusion to accelerate diversity and inclusion across the technology industry at large.

Blanco routinely speaks on diversity and inclusion as an asset to power the business and the planet, sharing Intel's and Industry best practices. Karla is the best-selling author of Unleash Your Career Potential, a speaker, coach, and trainer certified through John Maxwell's leadership training. Karla has received numerous leadership recognitions, including "El Financiero," top 40 under 40  country leader. She is a certified mentor of Vital Voices (NGO) in Costa Rica, focused on empowering emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs. Recognized in 2022 by Women Economic Forum Costa Rica as “Exceptional Women of Excellence”, also by Universidad Continental de Mexico as “Women Leader in Latin America” and by PBWC in the US as “Industry Leader”.

Blanco completed her undergraduate studies in customs administration at the University of Costa Rica and pursued an advanced MBA in international business. She is an Aspen Institute leadership fellow under the Central American Leadership Initiative (CALI) with INCAE.  Karla currently lives in Chandler Arizona and enjoys traveling.