Talent Foundry

Ten years ago, when I first connected with David Favela, he taught me the mindset of paying it forward, not just by sharing the idea, but by living it. This philosophy has been a cornerstone of my life ever since. Over the past decade, from working in nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, and now building my own startup Y Montessori I’ve been fortunate to receive incredible support from so many people. In turn, I always strive to pay it forward in any way I can. The incredible thing is, by doing so, I’ve found that I always receive much more than I give. Thank you, David Favela, for your mentorship. Thank you to UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS) for featuring my story, and a special thanks to David Noel for referring me and providing the opportunity to be interviewed and share my journey.

The Border has profoundly shaped my life, exposing me to diverse cultures and contrasting realities on each side of the line. From the historical Bracero program to my father's permanent move in the 60s, I have straddled two worlds defined by a simple earthly division. Living near the Border has been an invaluable lesson in culture, political theory, and economics, showcasing how our countries' histories shape our aspirations and perspectives. I am thrilled to share my insights at Harvard's David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies next year, adding to my speaking engagements and experiences at Princeton, Stanford, and UC San Diego. It still amazes me how my life unfolds itself before me in surprising ways. #Border #Culture #Economics #Harvard #LatinAmericanStudies

?? Guess who’s speaking at Techqueria’s virtual summit during #TechqueriaTechWeek? That's right, it's me along with an incredible panel with @Alex Waters,and @Julius Alejandro, M.S. and co-moderators @Amber Tarrac and @Richard Lopez! Sign up for this FREE event on October 8-10 and catch our insightful conversation on 10/8: "Innovation Unleashed: Building Bridges in the Tech Ecosystem." Learn valuable insights and creative ways to engage with the #tech community and drive #inclusivity - these tactics could be considered for #techecosystems and #communities across the country. ?? Tues, Oct 8 from noon - 1 p.m. PST ?? Virtual ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/gptFzMFz #LatineHeritageMonth #TechqueriaTechWeek #TechSpeaker #Diversity #Inclusion #ecosystembuilding

I can’t wait to speak on this panel for Techqueria's #TechqueriaTechWeek virtual summit. This is a free virtual conference from 10/8-10/10 during Latiné Heritage Month designed to empower Latiné professionals in tech, connect them with companies who are committed to inclusion, and to celebrate the thriving Latinx in tech community. ?? Our panel session is titled "Innovation Unleashed: Building Bridges in the Tech Ecosystem," which will focus on creative ways to engage with the #tech community and drive #inclusivity - these tactics could be leveraged for communities across the nation. Panel members include: David Favela, Director of UCSD's Talent Foundry Alex Waters, Executive Director of The Program Labs Julius Alejandro, M.S., Executive Director of Village Up San Diego ?? Tues, Oct 8 from noon - 1 p.m. PST ?? Virtual ?? Register today: https://lnkd.in/gptFzMFz #LatineHeritageMonth #TechqueriaTechWeek #TechSpeaker #TechModerator #JoinTheFuture #FounderFuego #FounderFuel

It's unacceptable that 90-95% of start-ups fail in the first year, even more so when those founders come from a limited socioeconomic background. These founders don't have a safety net to fall back on and are often the principal income for the whole family. Entrepreneurship is a huge gamble for them that won't just land them on their parent's couch or basement bedroom, but possibly on the streets. As I build my strategy for my next decade of work, I am committed to providing new approaches and tools to improve Latino start-up success rates. Through my work at UCSD Talent Foundry, in the Barrio through my volunteer work, and online through existing platforms to spread knowledge and case studies, I am taking on the audacious task of making a meaningful difference in success rates! From Bio-Tech to the Barrio, Latinos must do our part to grow this economy and solve the problems of the future. That's why I am excited by Gregory Shepard's soon-to-be-released book that is courageously asking the right question: “How do we fix the failure rate so everyone has a real, even likely chance at success?” - Gregory Shepard "The Startup Lifecycle: The Definitive Guide to Building a Startup from Idea to Exit" I've already pre-ordered, you can as well at link below. #gregoryshepard #Thestartuplifecycle

One of the perks of owning Border X Brewing is the ability to host groups that I support, like Techqueria! As young professionals in the San Diego Tech space, I know that their collective impact will be huge over the next decade. Thanks to Amber and Richard for organizing this awesome monthly event! Hope you all learned about Barrio Logan and enjoyed the culture!

I think "Business Culture" exists and depending on the collection of ideas, stories, and traditions, it can impact an individual and a community's success. As I consult and work with start-ups at UCSD and Barrio Logan, I see a common issue with how people relate to their start-ups. Many founders have misconceptions, misinformation, and strongly held beliefs ingrained in them from childhood to the present that they struggle to change. As a Latino, I see this even more in Barrio Logan where I work with many start-ups. We lack a more helpful and productive "business culture" that works for us and enables our careers and start-ups. Unfortunately, our business culture is a mish-mash blend of influences from friends, family, popular media, and for a very limited few, higher education institutions. It's essential to address this issue and revolutionize our business culture, as culture drives action, consciously or unconsciously, determining our fate. The Latino community, the largest ethnic minority in the US, represents over 60 million people, accounting for 18% of the US population. Notably, in states like Texas and California, Latinos make up nearly 40% of the population, with over 50% of the under-18 population being Latino. From Bio-Tech to the Barrio, this next generation must succeed so we not only sustain our current economic activity but grow it and improve the quality of life for all. My goal is clear: I want to build a new business culture to enhance the success rate of Latinos in their careers and their business start-ups. By offering new perspectives, and stories, and translating the best business advice into relatable insights, I aim to empower Latino individuals to thrive professionally and as entrepreneurs. Expect to see more from me on LinkedIn and other social media channels moving forward!

“In order to do extraordinary things, you have to know you’re extraordinary. Recognizing that, owning it and celebrating it often needs nurturing from the outside in.” -- Christiana Russell, M.Ed is spot on!! Read more about Christiana and David Favela's work at the UC San Diego Office of Innovation and Commercialization in this article: https://lnkd.in/gVdJWazt