Melanie Leiva Saprissa: The First Woman Leading an Insurance Company in Guatemala

Determination, positivity, and the courage to ask for help: the keys of a leader transforming a traditionally male industry.

In a country where only 4% of executive positions are held by women, Melanie Leiva Saprissa represents something more than an exceptional statistic. She is the first woman to serve as General Manager of an insurance company in Guatemala — and her story is a testament to discipline, passion, and authentic leadership.

The Foundations: A Childhood Surrounded by Love and Determination

Melanie grew up in a home where love was the constant. With two brothers and being the only female cousin on her mother's side, she learned early to hold her ground. But two figures were fundamental: her mother, who believed unconditionally in her, and the ballet.

'My mom always made me feel I had a special place, she always believed in me, in my dreams, in my education,' Melanie recalls. That loving mother gave her something invaluable: the conviction that she could achieve anything she set her mind to.

And ballet was much more than an extracurricular activity. For 25 years, from age four, Melanie trained in this discipline that would give her tools she still uses today: posture, grace under pressure, perfectionism, and above all, perseverance.

'As I've grown, I've come to value more and more what ballet gave me,' she reflects. 'There were many years when I'd say: Mom, I want to quit ballet. And she'd say: no, you're staying. Today I'm eternally grateful.'

Dreaming Big: The Path to Insurance

While other girls dreamed of being doctors or teachers, Melanie played at working in the insurance industry. Her father, with nearly four decades in the sector, would take her to the office on school holidays. Melanie would sit in the conference room and pretend to have meetings.

'Having that dream from a very young age gave me the clarity to work in the present toward something I aspired to in the future,' she explains. That clarity was her compass.

But Melanie insists on something fundamental: passion for what you do is non-negotiable. 'We have to find a career or dedicate ourselves to something that truly moves us. Because when things get tough — and they will — passion is what keeps you standing.'

The Weight of Being First

When she took on the role of General Manager, Melanie experienced the greatest imbalance of her professional life. It wasn't just the responsibility — it was the weight of being the first woman in that position in the entire industry.

'There was a very high expectation. There was a woman, and a young one, filling a role. I mentally overloaded myself thinking: I have to be the best because I'm representing all the women who will come after me.'

Those first months were dedicated almost exclusively to work. She talked to her husband, talked to her children, and immersed herself 100% in the new responsibility. It was a conscious decision: temporarily sacrificing balance to build a solid foundation.

The Myth of Perfect Balance

If there's one lesson Melanie wants to share with other women, it's this: balance doesn't mean dividing your time 50-50 between work and family. True balance is dynamic and changes with each season of life.

'Sometimes we think balance means dedicating 50-50 of your time to family and work, and it's not necessarily like that. It can be a season. If you're starting a new job or launching a project, that season demands more of you professionally. And that's okay.'

What is fundamental, according to her, is communication. Asking for help. Raising your hand without shame. 'The more communicative we are with our support group, the more we can delegate, the more we can balance.'

Leading Without Losing Your Femininity

One of Melanie's most powerful reflections is about female leadership style. She has observed how many women believe that to be respected in a man's world, they need to act like men.

'Wear your pink blouse if you like it and you want to be feminine and wear heels. Add that. In the end, this isn't a competition between men and women, but rather something complementary.'

Melanie has been fortunate to work with exceptional male leaders who gave her space, valued her voice, and embraced her authentic style. But she also recognizes that not every woman has that privilege.

'Respect is something we all have to earn, regardless of the position we hold or the power we have in our hands.'

Strengths and Shadows

When asked to describe herself without mentioning her title, Melanie speaks of positivity, empathy, and the ability to dream big. 'I'm the kind of person who, even in a difficult situation, always looks for the positive side. That has been my greatest strength and my armor.'

But she's also honest about her weaknesses. The main one: a constant, almost obsessive self-criticism. 'I have a constant self-measurement every day about whether I could have done something better. That exhausts me mentally.'

That severe inner voice is something she actively works on. She has learned to transform the conversation before bed, to be more benevolent with herself, to recognize that perfection is the enemy of well-being.

Her other weakness is the flip side of her positivity: wanting to solve not only her own problems but everyone else's. 'I'm always in that constant search to make everything work, and sometimes I need to let go.'

Fear as a Compass

There's a redefinition of fear in Melanie's philosophy that feels liberating. Instead of seeing it as an enemy to avoid, she considers it a signal that you're growing.

'Many times fear is something great to have, because it means you're experiencing something new, something that generates uncertainty, and that means you're leaving your comfort zone.'

Those nerves before an important presentation, that discomfort before a new challenge — they're not signs that something is wrong. They're indicators that you're on the path of growth.

The Mom Behind the Executive

Melanie has two children: Rafa, 11, and Sofía, 9. She had her first child at 26, when she'd been married for three years. Motherhood, she acknowledges, is the role that challenges her the most.

'Nobody prepares us to be mothers. It's not something someone gives you a course on and you're ready. We learn every day.'

What she's discovered over time is that her children don't need a perfect mother who is present every second. They need quality over quantity.

'Sometimes you're on a call or in a virtual meeting and your child is talking to you. What has worked for me is saying: I want to listen to you 100%, give me five minutes and I'm all yours. That teaches them to respect your time and know they'll have yours completely.'

There's a moment that perfectly illustrates her internal battles. On a particularly difficult day, she arrived home and parked. She felt like crying. She took a breath, gave herself one minute to process everything, and then walked through the door with the best version of herself for her children.

It's not about putting on a mask and pretending nothing happened. It's about breathing, giving yourself that minimal space to be able to give your best to those who need you.

Marriage as a Partnership

Fifteen years of marriage have taught Melanie that a couple's relationship also needs intentional attention. She recently read about the importance of having real conversations with your partner — not logistics, but genuine connection.

'Many times our romantic conversation that we once had becomes a logistics conversation: what are your plans tomorrow, who's picking up the kids, what are we doing this weekend.'

Playing a board game, cooking together, remembering why they fell in love. Small acts of reconnection that keep the relationship alive beyond roles and routines.

The Greater Purpose

When asked where this path leads her, Melanie talks about purpose. Not titles or additional achievements, but legacy.

'For me, the most important thing is to inspire other people. That however small it may be, every person who works with me or has been part of my path feels that I contributed something positive to their life.'

And at the macro level, her purpose is tied to transforming insurance culture in Guatemala. Making more people understand the importance of protecting their families, their assets, their future.

Lessons She Leaves Us

From this conversation emerge truths that transcend the corporate world:

Know your strengths and strengthen them further. Don't obsess over your weaknesses. Knowing what tools you have allows you to excel where others can't.

Fear is a compass, not a barrier. If you don't feel nervous, you're probably too comfortable. Growth lives in discomfort.

Asking for help is intelligence, not weakness. Nobody reaches the top alone. Communicate your needs to your support circle.

Balance is dynamic. There are seasons where one role demands more. That doesn't mean you've failed at the others.

Don't masculinize yourself to be respected. Your femininity is a strength, not an obstacle. Lead from who you truly are.

Transform your inner dialogue. Change the nightly checklist of mistakes for morning gratitude. Be benevolent with yourself.

With your children, quality over quantity. Real presence in short moments is worth more than distracted presence for hours.

And when everything gets tough, remember Melanie's mantra: 'Everything will pass.'

Because the women who move mountains don't do it by denying their fears or limitations. They do it by recognizing them, asking for help when they need it, and getting up every day with the determination to give their best — in heels if they want to.

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