Mariela is an Argentine-Brazilian writer and award-winning journalist based in Toronto, Canada.

She was raised trilingual, speaking Portuguese and Spanish at home with her family while learning English at school.

Mariela graduated in 2024 from the University of Toronto with an Honours Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction. She completed a double major in Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology (CCT) and Professional Writing and Communication (PWC).

She is currently completing her Master of Journalism at Toronto Metropolitan University.

While at TMU, she became the 2026 Gracie Award Winner for Podcast Host (Digital Media - Student), presented by the Alliance of Women in Media in the United States.

Mariela also now hosts The Focolare Word of Life Podcast, produced by Focolare Media.

In 2023, Mariela also published the book My ABCs: Argentina, Brazil, Canada. This collection of stories, letters, and poems about identity and belonging marks her debut as an author.

Connect with Mariela via her social channels or her email marielatorhen[at]gmail.com