From a Small Town Girl to a Leader in Engineering
From a small-town dreamer to an empowered Engineering Director, Nychol Bazurto Gomez defied the odds to carve her path in the tech industry. Guided by empathy and a commitment to conscientious leadership, she is not only breaking barriers for herself but also bridging bridges for others. Nychol’s personal mission is to open more doors to untapped tech talent in South and Central America.
Big dreams in a big city
Nychol Bazurto Gomez grew up in Fusagasugá, a small town in Colombia. As a young girl, she dreamed of exploring various professions, but IT was never on her mind.
“I considered becoming an astronaut, and at times, I thought about becoming an attorney because I had a growing interest in helping others. Specifically, I was drawn to environmental issues because of their profound impact on all of us.”
However, her love for mathematics and logical thinking eventually steered her toward technology. At just 18, Nychol had already completed two semesters at her local university with exceptional results. Recognizing her potential, her professors urged her to transfer to District University Francisco José de Caldas, Bogotá, where she could further challenge herself. The prospect of leaving Fusagasugá and moving to the big city alone was both thrilling and daunting. Determined not to miss this opportunity, Nychol packed her bags and said her goodbyes to her family, especially her mother and grandmother, who worried about her stepping into this new chapter. Years later, she didn’t just adapt to city life—she thrived, earning a master’s degree in Systems and Computer Engineering along the way.
The importance of strong and empathetic role models
Nychol grew up surrounded by remarkable women—strong, independent, and resourceful. However, her paternal grandmother stood out as a profound role model. “She’s a nurse and the most eloquent, fascinating person I know. Her attention to detail and quick thinking in any conversation never fail to amaze me. You’d never guess she’s already 80 years old!” What resonates most with Nychol is her grandmother’s nurturing nature.
“Through her work, I saw how she helped so many people, from the elderly to those facing challenges. I think that’s why helping others has become so important to me. The impact my grandmother has on our community, and the gratitude and respect she receives for her work, have deeply influenced me.”
Watching the women in her family thrive taught Nychol the undeniable strength and value of women in their communities. “Women are often the center of their families, and in ours, that was my grandmother. I’m grateful to her for showing me that being a woman is never a weakness. The adversities that women encounter in their lives make them strong by nature.”
Expressing unconscious biases respectfully doesn’t make them better
Nychol has had many positive experiences as a woman in the tech industry. “From the beginning I had a wonderful leader in my first job and most of my team were women. It was a very positive shock finding so many women in engineering compared to my university where I was almost alone among male peers.”
As she advanced in her career, Nychol encountered unconscious biases but chose not to take them personally. “Once, a male colleague was explaining a concept to our group, and when he spoke to me—the only woman on the team—his tone became more instructive rather than collaborative. He assumed I had less knowledge and needed extra explanation. Ironically, I was the one in the group with professional experience in that subject. When I responded, he realized his assumption was wrong and immediately apologized. We had great interactions after that, but the moment was eye-opening. It highlighted the subtle biases women face daily. This is why companies and leaders need to focus on creating awareness of unconscious biases and actively countering them. Even when expressed respectfully, they are still biases.”
Taking a leap of faith as a leader in engineering
“I was working at another software consultancy when I first met Rafael Paradela from 47 Degrees (now Xebia) in 2019. From the start, he showed a genuine interest in the work my Colombian colleagues and I were doing for our shared client. A year and a half later, Rafael contacted me with an exciting proposal: to help launch 47 Degrees’ operations in Colombia. That meant I’d be the first employee and lead the project.”
The decision wasn’t easy for Nychol. “On one hand, I was steadily advancing into senior and leadership roles at a company with great values and a respectful culture. On the other hand, this new role offered a chance to build something from the ground up—an area I had little experience in. What tipped the scales for me was the impact this opportunity could have on Colombian families, businesses, and talent. The ‘people first’ culture at Xebia ultimately inspired me to take the leap of faith and join the team.”
Opening new doors for South and Central American talent
“At Xebia, I found exactly what Rafael had described: a highly talented team of bright, professional individuals. What stood out to me even more was the human element—they are incredibly humble, approachable, and always willing to support and share their expertise.”
“The most fulfilling part of my journey at Xebia has been achieving the very goal that brought me here: scaling our operations in Colombia. Starting from scratch—conducting interviews, building a team—was a completely new experience for me. Fortunately, I was surrounded by inspiring individuals, each bringing unique qualities to the table. Together, we created a team that truly complements one another.”
“It was incredibly exciting to see our team grow and begin delivering exceptional work for clients. Helping open doors for Colombian talent has been deeply rewarding. The tech industry has improved the quality of life for countless people across Latin America and Central America, opening doors to opportunities that once seemed out of reach. It breaks down barriers; with just a computer and passion, anyone can dream bigger and achieve more.”
How can companies make their people feel empowered?
“I think this is something Xebia does particularly well—recognizing and embracing everyone’s differences. Too often, corporate discourse focuses solely on pushing forward in one direction, without considering employees’ individuality or personal aspirations. A simple way to make people feel empowered is to acknowledge and celebrate their differences. For example, there are brilliant engineers who might be on the autism spectrum. Expecting them to communicate in the same way as someone who is not neurodivergent would be unreasonable. Understanding and respecting differences, while building on shared values, helps people feel truly empowered.”
“I am genuinely happy to see companies offering opportunities to people worldwide, especially in regions where social conditions are still developing. I firmly believe that a professional environment should foster collaboration among people who actively work to bridge cultural differences, creating healthier and more inclusive workplaces. It’s not about choosing one culture over another, but about building spaces of respect, diversity, and integration, where everyone feels safe to be their authentic selves.”
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from Xebians around the globe.