Crafting Legacy Through Innovation, Design, and Empowerment
Gina Diez Barroso’s journey is a testament to what happens when legacy meets vision and ambition meets action.
Her story begins with the inspiration she drew from her grandfather, a pioneer in Mexican media. He was the mind behind the country’s first radio station, which evolved into Televisa, a dominant force in Spanish-language broadcasting. Gina spent several years contributing to the family business but deep within, she felt the pull to chart her own course and build something uniquely hers.
The Start of Grupo Diarq: Innovation from the Ground Up
With an unshakable passion for design, architecture, and construction, Gina founded Grupo Diarq, a firm that integrated all three disciplines into a single business model. At a time when such a concept was rare, Diarq stood out. It became Mexico’s first company to present model homes, apartments, and hotels, reshaping how people experienced spaces.
Despite the commercial success, Gina found herself searching for a deeper purpose. Her thoughts returned to her grandfather’s legacy and the lasting impact he had on Mexican society. This reflection pushed her to ask a critical question — what legacy was she creating?
The answer came to her with clarity. It was education.
Building CENTRO: Education for the Future
Gina had long believed that education is the key to unlocking potential. However, she was frustrated by how outdated many educational systems remained, especially in the creative industries. She envisioned a university that did more than teach design. It would develop entrepreneurs, nurture innovation, and embrace modern teaching methods.
After six years of research and development, CENTRO University opened its doors in 2004. Today, CENTRO offers seven undergraduate programs, 22 postgraduate courses, and more than 200 continuing education options. The institution is globally affiliated with top design schools and attracts a diverse student body. Sixty-five percent of its students are women and nearly one-third attend on scholarship. CENTRO is also known for housing the world’s first LEED Platinum-certified campus in every building.
Creating Dalia Empower: Championing Women in Leadership
As Gina engaged more with students and professionals, she observed a concerning gap. Many women, despite their strong academic achievements, lacked essential leadership tools. She believed that success wasn’t just about technical skills. It also required emotional intelligence, negotiation, communication, and confidence.
To address this, she launched Dalia Empower in 2017. It is a global platform dedicated to lifelong learning and the advancement of women. Dalia’s mission is to help women realize their full potential in both their personal and professional lives. It serves a broad audience including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, public sector professionals, and women preparing for board positions.
Dalia Empower delivers its mission through four primary services:
- Dalia Academy: Offers in-person and online education programs for individuals and companies
- We Are Dalia: Provides mentorship, advisory services, and professional networking
- Dalia News and Media: Shares thought-provoking content to foster awareness on gender and inclusion
- Dalia Insights: Helps organizations measure and improve diversity practices through certification tools
In response to the pandemic, Gina also developed the Dalia Scale Up program. It is an intensive accelerator for early-stage startups led by women or mixed leadership teams. The program equips businesses with the strategy and tools they need to attract investment and grow sustainably.
Overcoming Resistance and Staying the Course
Gina’s path has not been without its challenges. She faced skepticism, resistance, and countless obstacles. Still, she remained resolute. She chose to work with those who believed in her vision. Her multicultural and multidisciplinary teams played a crucial role in realizing her goals. Gina leads with collaboration and always reminds her team that they work with her, not for her.
Awards and Recognition
Gina’s contributions have earned her widespread recognition. Some of her notable awards include:
- National Women Award, 2011
- Noldi Scherck Award for Design, 2014
- Iberoamerican CIDI Award for Education, 2015
- Luxury Lab Global Award, 2016
- Flame, Life and Women Award, 2017
- Enterprising Women of the Year Award, 2018
- Gold Medal of Honour from the American Society Council of the Americas, 2019
- NAWRB Commercial Leader Award, 2020
These accolades reflect her deep impact across education, business, and women’s empowerment.
The Changing Face of Real Estate
As the head of Grupo Diarq, Gina has closely watched the evolution of real estate in a post-pandemic world. The shift toward hybrid work has changed what companies expect from office spaces. Today, there is a greater demand for flexibility, health-conscious infrastructure, and eco-friendly buildings.
Residential real estate has also adapted. Tenants now prioritize homes that offer dedicated work areas and lifestyle amenities such as fitness centers, coworking spaces, and essential services. Properties that meet these new expectations are becoming the standard.
Her Take on Work-Life Balance
In today’s fast-paced environment, Gina believes work-life balance is not just helpful — it is essential. The pandemic blurred the boundaries between work and home. Burnout and stress became more prevalent. To counter this, she advocates setting boundaries, prioritizing well-being, and carving time for personal joys.
Taking care of mental and physical health, nurturing relationships, and spending time with loved ones, she says, are not optional. They are crucial to long-term success. When we are fulfilled personally, we perform better professionally.
Words of Wisdom for Women Entrepreneurs
Gina’s message to women building their own ventures is both powerful and practical. Know your strength. Keep learning. Find mentors. Uplift other women. Share your knowledge and stories. She encourages women to be bold, take risks, and support businesses led by other women.
She believes it is time to see more women in leadership, decision-making roles, and high-impact industries. True change comes when women and their male allies work together to advance equality, fair pay, and inclusive opportunities.
Success doesn’t come overnight. It takes perseverance, vision, and belief in yourself. As Gina says, “Be patient, pitch big, build a great team, and don’t stop until your dream becomes your legacy.”