Angelica Buffa is a Trailblazer

Fresh from a two-and-a-half-year developer program in Uruguay, Angelica Buffa faced an uphill battle. Entry-level programming roles were scarce in her area, and the competitive job market posed significant challenges. After numerous interviews, she secured a role in quality assurance at a company working on Salesforce applications. At the time, Salesforce was still building its presence in South America, and its technology was relatively new to the market. Angelica worried that specializing in a "niche" technology might limit her career options. However, her outlook changed after contributing to a company project that directly supported Dreamforce. She was captivated by Salesforce's potential and its vibrant, collaborative Trailblazer Community, prompting her to fully embrace the ecosystem.

In the early days of Angelica’s Salesforce journey, learning resources were scarce. Trailhead had not yet been launched, and with no community presence in Uruguay at the time, she relied on the dense Force PlatformFundamentals book as her primary guide. She was ultimately able to connect with Women in Tech organizations for support, to find the answers to her questions and join an empowering community. The connections she made helped her expand her skills and network, solidifying community engagement as the cornerstone of her career, and inspiring her to become a Community Group Leader. By fostering relationships and contributing globally, Angelica amplified her impact and reach over time.

Fifteen years later, Angelica transformed that initial contractor role into a thriving career. She has since co-founded Modelit, a successful Salesforce consulting firm with a presence in both the US and Latin America, which has grown to a team of nearly 60 professionals. Her firm specializes in Salesforce implementations, including cutting-edge solutions like Data Cloud and Agentforce. Angelica’s expertise in ensuring data quality as a foundation for AI integrations has set her apart, positioning her firm as a leader in Salesforce innovation.

Angelica sees Agentforce as a powerful tool for both her business and her clients. Internally, she envisions using AI to streamline recruitment, match candidates to roles, and strengthen talent relationships. For clients, her team ensures that data is clean and structured with Data Cloud, enabling AI tools like Agentforce to deliver maximum value. Angelica also advises businesses on comprehensive AI strategies, integrating complementary Salesforce tools for seamless innovation. Her practical approach to AI adoption has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor, inspiring companies to embrace intelligent automation.

Throughout her journey, Angelica has remained committed to the community that helped her succeed. She volunteers for and collaborates with organizations like RAD Women and WomenForceIT, mentoring aspiring Trailblazers and empowering women in STEM to learn coding. A frequent speaker at conferences, she shares her expertise to inspire others to explore the Salesforce ecosystem. Her involvement in the community led her to become a Salesforce MVP, a community-nominated recognition for Trailblazers who are passionate product experts that share expertise to help others learn Salesforce and connect to the community. Angelica’s story illustrates the power of embracing unexpected opportunities and leveraging community connections. Her dedication to mentorship and innovation ensures that the Trailblazer spirit continues to flourish, sparking growth and inspiration across the Salesforce ecosystem.