Meet Diego Mendez Cortes

We had the good fortune of connecting with Diego Mendez Cortes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Diego, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I see risk as that moment you are on the edge of a rock, about to jump into the cold waters of an ocean. That moment right before the jump, that is a risk to me: the very tiny moment your mind decides to move forward despite fear and uncertainty. The biggest risk I ever took was moving to a new country with no money, no professional network, and barely speaking English at the time. It was terrifying, but I realized the strongest barriers are often mental, not physical.

My life and career have been a series of decisions of risks that led me to the next step. I had the enormous privilege of growing up in Colombia, with the unconditional support of my family and friends. But I quickly realized that the lack of growth and economic opportunities in my country was so great that it would, unfortunately, affect my future. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made: to move away from my loved ones, with all the sadness that entails, in search of a better future.

As a communicator, I have always wanted to tell stories that could inspire and reveal hidden truths. In Colombia, I felt the frustration of seeing extraordinary stories left untold due to a lack of resources, yet I took my first steps by producing a documentary, alongside my dearest colleagues, about the only photographer to document the Indigenous Kogui community. His journey, marked by risks with armed groups and drug traffickers, but also by the resilience and richness of Indigenous life, showed me the power of storytelling. However, the limited support available made it clear I needed to look for new opportunities. Moving to Los Angeles became both a challenge and a chance to grow; I delivered food, worked as an extra, and eventually joined a Vice documentary series as a production assistant. Each experience brought me closer to my single goal: entering UCLA’s film program, learning from the best, and seizing the opportunity of being in the very place where the greatest stories are told. But LA had other plans for me…

The next great risk was presented to my life with honesty and crude reality. I confronted my dream of being part of the film industry with the honest admission that it wasn’t for me. It was an emotional risk, as it meant leaving behind a dream I had sacrificed so much for. Yet, that very risk pushed me to find a new industry that needed someone to tell its story, but this time, a story centered on real characters and places, with a real and direct impact, non-fictional at its core. That’s when I leaped into the space tech industry, an industry I knew nothing about, but one that challenged me to apply my marketing and communication skills in a completely new way. Something that was certainly intimidating, but that ultimately became my passion. Suddenly, I found myself at the doors of the commercial space industry, waiting for new stories to be told.

Today, I’m proud to have built my career in marketing and communications at Morpheus Space. Being the only Latino in my company fills me with pride. Taking risks as a Latino immigrant has not only shaped my career but has also given me the privilege of representing my community in an industry I never imagined would open its doors to me. It has taught me that the biggest risk is not taking one at all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
A defining moment in my life and career was when I decided to move to Los Angeles on my own. Back then, the only thing I knew for sure was that I knew nothing at all. That was all I had right in front of me: uncertainty. I suppose that’s one of the advantages of leaving home at such a young age: looking back is not an option, and all you can do is move forward. That moment became one of my favorites in life because it forced me to ask myself who I wanted to become and what attitude I would embrace. In the face of the unknown, those are some of the few choices we actually control, and from there, I began to build.

That path eventually led me somewhere I never imagined. At Morpheus Space, I merge creativity and storytelling with technical work to promote our electric propulsion system. My goal is to make complex technology clear, efficient, and engaging, exposing stories that not only connect with people but also drive business growth. A touch of color in an engineer’s world.

My experience has taught me a fundamental lesson: with study and dedication, you can overcome any limitation. For me, my career is a continuous learning process, driven by a desire to grow and create a tangible impact through storytelling. It’s a curious analogy that the path which led me to face the immense uncertainty of life has brought me to an industry where we work with the vastness of space itself. Just like the emptiness I felt when starting from scratch, space is a blank canvas, ready to be filled with purpose and connections. It represents the vast unknown and is now my place of creation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I think Los Angeles’ greatest treasure is its multiculturalism, and you can see it reflected in every corner of the city. You can see it in the food: I would take my loved ones to my favorite spot on 8th Street called BBQ AYCE, where everything is only $21. I love KBBQs; they’re perfect for connecting and enjoying delicious food. Also, instead of just a beer, I’d take them for a soju, or why not both? The best places for soju are called Pocha, and my favorite is Gangnam Pocha on Western Ave. Additionally, I’m a coffee fan, like any true Colombian. If you want the best coffee in Los Angeles, brought all the way from my beloved Colombia, I recommend checking out the cafés of The Boy and The Bear. I also wouldn’t leave out House of Thai Taste on Venice Blvd or Pampas Grill Churrascaria in Culver City. And, of course, the city’s many food trucks always deliver the best service and quality. If you can, grab some street food and eat it over the 6th Street Bridge in Downtown, it’s a truly unique experience.

I would also show them the city through sports and dance. My favorite hike is the Wisdom Tree Hike, right next to the Hollywood Sign; it’s a local favorite where you can write a secret or a wish in a book at the top. As for nightlife, we’d skip the clubs and look for a salsa social dance, the perfect way to spend a fun and carefree night. The culture behind the dance is amazing; in Los Angeles, you can go dancing at the best hotels any night of the week. I love salsa, so these are places I really enjoy.

I wouldn’t skip the recording studio tours; it’s always mind-blowing for a foreigner or migrant to see the effort behind movies and series. And, of course, nothing beats being at one of the beaches: personally, I love Venice and El Porto, one for its calm, the other for its energy and activity. Maybe, during the visit, you could even catch a rocket launch, something you don’t see just anywhere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am deeply inspired by my family and all the loved ones in my life who, through hard work and dedication, have overcome challenges and earned my respect and admiration. I especially want to recognize the incredible women who have shaped my life.

My grandmother, who spent so many years caring for our family with her strong hands. My mother, who works to support peacebuilding in Colombia. My sisters, Valentina and Natalia, who face challenges with professionalism and courage as minorities in their respective fields. My partner, Paula, who advocates for communities disproportionately affected by environmental health issues in California. And my two dear colleagues in the space industry, Gabrielle and Ola, whose dedication and mentorship are a constant source of inspiration.

To each of them, I am grateful for their profound teachings. Their resilience, patience, passion, and integrity continually inspire me to grow, contribute, and push boundaries in my own life and career.

Website: https://portafolio-marketing-esp-pu8lq3i.gamma.site/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diego-cortes-6441691b5/

Other: juandmencor@gmail.com

Image Credits
Joey Rosales