Leading Without Authority

Session 3: Leading Without Authority

You don't need a formal managerial title to make a significant impact at work. This session focuses on the mechanics of leading without authority, helping you decode corporate power dynamics, demonstrate initiative, and strategically manage your workload.

You will learn actionable frameworks for prioritizing high-impact projects, delegating responsibilities when leading lateral teams, and confidently advocating for your achievements to accelerate your career growth.

About our Speaker:

Dr. Cynthia Lopez-Peña is a Senior Scientist at Nestlé Nutrition, where she turns ideas into products and ambiguity into action.

As a Senior Scientist at Nestlé Nutrition, she leads product development and innovation projects that combine deep scientific understanding with creative problem-solving and strong cross-functional collaboration.

Her work spans everything from early-stage ideation and ingredient exploration to full product and technology development. She’s led global initiatives, built product platforms, and stepped into complex technologies on accelerated timelines, quickly closing knowledge gaps and driving execution forward.

Alongside product development, Dr. Lopez-Peña brings a strong sourcing lens—partnering with Procurement and suppliers worldwide to evaluate capabilities, introduce new ingredients, and shape strategies that balance innovation, cost, and sustainability.

She is particularly passionate about uncovering new possibilities; whether that’s identifying emerging ingredients, developing first-to-market concepts, or helping teams refine and pitch their ideas. She thrives at the intersection of science, strategy, and creativity, where the goal is not just to solve problems, but to unlock what’s next.

For questions and accommodations, please e-mail GSPD at gspd@umbc.edu. 

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.