Meet Daisy Auger-Domínguez: Leader, Author, and HR Expert

Photo: Courtesy of Daisy Auger-Domínguez. 

Daisy Auger-Domínguez is sounding the alarm on a growing epidemic affecting millions of managers, directors, and company executives. The symptoms? Constant fatigue, lack of motivation, and a troubling sense of apathy that eventually leaves them feeling paralyzed. 

Though she's not a doctor or health professional, Auger-Domínguez has focused much of her recent work on this issue. In fact, she’s written a book about it: Burn Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People, set to be published this September. 

Auger-Domínguez, a Brooklyn resident of Dominican and Puerto Rican descent, knows this world inside and out. She has steadily risen through the ranks at major companies like Disney, Google, and Vice Media. 

She’s known for her TEDx talks and regular contributions to leading publications, including Harvard Business Review and Forbes. 

Her impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s been named one of Hispanic Executive’s Top 10 Leaders and one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women. She also serves on the Board of Trustees at Bucknell University. 

Despite her long list of accolades, she remains approachable and down-to-earth. With over 35 years of experience, she knows the corporate HR world inside and out—a world that very few get to see up close. 

She has distilled this knowledge into two books, Inclusion Revolution and the forthcoming Burn Out to Lit Up. She’s also built a successful consulting firm, helping major companies bridge the gap between how they’re supposed to function and how they actually do. 

Her firm uses coaching techniques, virtual and in-person workshops, and interactive seminars. She also advises start-ups and venture-backed tech companies, helping them create better workplaces—especially in a time when the pandemic has shaken up long-standing workplace norms. 
 

“Workers from previous generations believed that to earn their position, they had to do it all—working from sunup to sundown, putting work above everything else, even family.” 

Why Are So Many Leaders Burning Out? 

According to Auger-Domínguez, burnout stems from several factors: excessive workloads, unclear expectations, poor organizational decisions that lead to unnecessary work, lack of recognition and opportunities, and interpersonal tensions within the workplace. 

But the biggest reason? Constant stress from overwork without taking time to recharge. “The problem is many people work without rest because they feel it’s the only way to prove they deserve their position.” 

Fortunately, some things are starting to change. 

Younger generations are more aware of their rights and know what they want, both now and in the future. 

What Advice Do You Have for Young Workers Today? 

“They need to learn to negotiate and ask for what they deserve, but they have to do it thoughtfully—showing they understand the industry and the space they’re trying to enter.” 

One of her greatest joys is helping others navigate the workplace and avoid the many mistakes she made early in her career. 

What Kind of Mistakes? 

“The same ones I mentioned earlier—overworking, not knowing how to negotiate, and not clearly expressing my expertise,” she says. 

Auger-Domínguez is always on the move. Beneath her warm smile lies a disciplined and principled person, deeply aligned with her values. 

It’s from these values that her first book, Inclusion Revolution (2022), was born. In it, she discusses the importance of companies integrating diverse perspectives from people of different ethnic backgrounds, immigrants, and women to enrich their operations. 

Photo: Courtesy of Daisy Auger-Domínguez. 

Women in the Workplace 

Diversity is a topic that clearly excites her. She speaks passionately about the challenges women still face in the workplace. 

“Imagine this: as women, we have to deal with a lot, including the macho culture that still exists in some work environments. People assume that because we’re mothers, we care less about our work, or that we’ll work less just because we’re women.” 

This adds extra pressure. “You have to do your job to the best of your ability, collaborate with others, solve problems that come up—but you also have to deal with sexist comments. 

“Last year, I met a young Latina who gave an impeccable presentation in front of her company. There was nothing to criticize. And yet, she was told, ‘Maybe next time, you could dress more professionally,’ by a colleague.” 

But Change Is Happening 

Slowly but surely, the culture inside big organizations is evolving to include people from all kinds of backgrounds. “In the end, this helps not only to create a better workplace but also to improve productivity. It’s a win-win situation.”