In April 2021, Carista Ragan, Vice President Legal at Goldman Sachs, joined SHPE’s Board of Directors. The path she took to end up here could be called unusual. “I guess it’s not a typical professional journey,” Carista says. “But I hope our students can see that all kinds of experiences can give you important and transferable skills.”

Carista’s first career was that of a professional dancer, and she started on one of the biggest stages in the nation. She was selected as an NFL Cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. “It was an incredible opportunity,” Carista recalls. “And as fun as the bright lights, costumes, and games were, they weren’t the best part. The best part was who I got to work with.”

Because it was during this time that she met one of her most influential mentors. “I had terrible stage fright,” she explains. “And our cheerleading coach helped me see what I was truly capable of. They gave me the confidence to stand in front of thousands of people and shine. They really changed my life.”

After her NFL debut Carista traveled all over the world performing. “I danced in the Persian Gulf, Korea, Turkey, and Greece. I participated in two USO tours as an entertainer for our troops. Dance was literally my ticket to see the world!”

When she returned stateside, she began pursuing her second passion – the law. She applied and was accepted into the University of Houston Law School. And it just so happened that, toward the end of her first year, the Houston Rockets won the NBA Championship.

“The whole city was ecstatic. It’s the only thing anyone could talk about.” remembers Carista. “And that’s how I heard about the call for auditions to become a Rocket Power Dancer.”

She was paying her own way through law school and was looking for a job to help with tuition. So, she auditioned, and was selected as a Rocket Power Dancer.

“I guess you could say I used my first career to fund my second career.”

Carista spent the next two years in law school also dancing in the NBA. Her last semester, the Rockets made it to the playoffs. “I was studying for finals and the bar exam the same time we were performing at the playoff games. And once the playoffs were over, that was it. No more dancing.”

Carista spent the next two decades and half as General Counsel for various STEM companies. “I’ve always been interested in the intersection of law, technology, and engineering,” she states. And her impressive resume reflects this. She’s held positions at Flowserve, The Weir Group, and StackPath until landing her most current executive role at Goldman Sachs.

“And you know what, I still use the skills I gained while dancing. The courage and poise instilled in me by my Dallas Cowboys coach has stuck with me all these years later. Now, I have to get up in front of 700 people and present on legal policy, but it’s my performing roots that makes it possible,” Carista points out. “I guess if there’s a lesson here, it’s to take your mentors where you can get them, even if they aren’t directly in the field you’re pursuing. Maybe it’s a violin teacher or soccer coach, but you can gain valuable skills and experience anywhere.”

Carista loves serving on SHPE’s Board. She is constantly inspired by the enthusiasm and commitment of board members, staff, and students. “It’s an amazing feeling to all be so focused on one goal. It really feels like a family.”

While she isn’t Latina herself, she grew up in a Hispanic household. “My stepmom, who I love dearly, is Mexican. As are my two half-sisters. I saw first-hand some of the opportunities that were offered to me that weren’t readily available to them – especially role-models. Organizations like SHPE are so important in creating and supporting the next generation of Hispanic STEM leaders. I think my stepmom and sisters are really proud of what we’re doing here.”

SHPE is honored to have the expertise, passion, and leadership of Carista Ragan as a part of the Familia. We can’t wait to see where we go together in the coming years.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 15, 2022

DR. JOSEPH SILVA JOINS SHPE IN THE NEWLY CREATED POSITION OF CHIEF ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

The SHPE Reorganization Includes the Promotions of Dr. Kimberly Douglas, Monique Herrera, and Rhonda McNeil to C-Level Positions

(City of Industry, CA) — On Monday SHPE welcomed Dr. Joseph “Jose” Silva as the inaugural Chief Engagement Officer for the organization. This newly created position comes as part of a larger reorganization for SHPE.

Four distinct offices have been created under the CEO Chris Wilkie. They include Administration, Research & Innovation, External Relations, and Engagement. The goal of this restructuring is to continue elevating excellent programming and enhancing corporate STEM partnerships, while placing new emphasis on member cultivation, influence, and investment.

Dr. Jose Silva is now responsible for the latter, and he is beyond qualified. A resident of Denver, Colorado, he has been an advocate for youth, education, and the community for over 28 years. He comes to SHPE from the Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health (CoAIMH) where, starting in 2019, he served as their first CEO. A specialty of Dr. Silva’s professional and personal approach to community engagement is his orientation of multiculturalism—the embracing and celebrating of individual differences. CEO Chris Wilkie said about Dr. Silva, “His extensive experience and his attitude toward diversity make him particularly well-suited to take on the Chief Engagement Officer role with its emphasis on member relations. SHPE is lucky to have his leadership and expertise on staff.”

The additional three offices find their leadership from internal promotions.

Dr. Kimberly Douglas has been with SHPE since 2019. Her promotion to Chief Research & Innovation Officer places her in a position to utilize her full range of considerable skills and experience to support SHPE’s mission. Kimberly has over 25 years of experience as an engineering educator and administrator developing and funding programs for increasing the persistence and degree completion rates of STEM students, with particular focus on Hispanics. She has expertise in creating mutually beneficial partnerships and programs to support student success and faculty development. Kimberly is now responsible for a growing team who manage all of SHPE’s programming including ScholarSHPE, MentorSHPE, InternSHPE, SHPEtinas, and Noche de Ciencias, along with the Academic Partnership Council (APC). She also secures key grant funding and leads the development of new, relevant services for SHPE members. Kimberly lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Monique Herrera has also had a storied career with SHPE. She began as a Development Associate and Membership Coordinator in 2014. During the next half-decade, she become a Manager, Director, and then Senior Director. Earlier this month, she was promoted to Chief External Relations Officer. She is a testament to the personal and professional development available at SHPE as well as the incredible quality of the staff. Today, with her team of two, she oversees the Industry Partnership Council, sponsorship for 9 signature events, and other partnership opportunities. In addition, she oversees organization-wide marketing and communications efforts, the evolving government relations outreach, and the all-important National Convention Career Fair. Monique lives in New York, New York.

Rhonda McNeil, previously SHPE’s financial Controller, is now the Chief Administrative Officer. She joined SHPE in March 2021, but before that she accumulated over 20 years of management, financial, and accounting experience in the nonprofit industry. Rhonda has both her Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees from Texas State University. Now, in addition to full financial oversight, she leads a team of six, overseeing all contracts, HR, IT and Facility matters. Rhonda lives in Sand Springs, Oklahoma.

Miguel Alemañy, SHPE’s current Board Chair, is optimistic about these additions and changes. “When the Board of Directors approved the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan earlier this year, we knew SHPE would need to think differently about how it deploys its resources, including our staff,” Alemañy states. “This restructuring is exactly what is needed to make our goals achievable. It is exciting to see our dreams become a reality. SHPE is now a national force in the STEM industry.”

To schedule an interview with CEO Chris Wilkie or with Board Chair Miguel Alemañy, please contact Jen Linck at [email protected] or 703-732-6701.

About SHPE

SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 13,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. For more information please visit https://www.shpe.org.

January 25, 2022; Los Angeles, CA – After a thorough vetting process to identify candidates with experience complementary to the existing Board of Directors, SHPE has filled two previously vacant seats.

Effective immediately, Lifetime members Melanie Weber of The Boeing Company and Will Davis of NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center are the newest members of the SHPE Board of Directors. Will is returning to the Board after serving as Secretary from 2019-2021, and Melanie is a first-time appointee.

Melanie LeAnne Weber is the Subsystem Lead for Crew and Cargo Accommodations and the Launch Pad Team Lead for the Boeing CST-100 Starliner. In 2019, she became the first woman and the first Hispanic to lead a Launch Pad Team on the day of launch of a spacecraft. Melanie was granted a U.S. patent for the crew’s seats on the Starliner and works to ensure safety of the astronauts during their missions earning her the NASA Astronauts’ Silver Snoopy Award. She was featured in an episode of the Science Channel’s Impossible Engineering describing Starliner’s landing airbag system and was integral in unveiling Boeing’s spacesuit on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Melanie is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and was recently recognized as an Outstanding Young Texas Ex. She takes an active role in the community to encourage students and adults to pursue fields related to STEM and is an active lifetime member of SHPE.

Will Davis is a double-degreed engineer from UTEP currently living in Houston where he serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Program Manager with NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center’s Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity (JSC-ODEO). In this role, he is responsible for advising JSC senior management on D&I initiatives and helping manage the center’s ten ERGs. Previously, he served for twelve years as an engineer with JSC’s Safety and Mission Assurance Directorate. He is a 2009 graduate of the NASA FIRST Program and holds a NASA Green Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma. Service has always been at the heart of Will’s endeavors moving him to volunteer at the highest levels. From 2012-2018 Will served on the MAES Board of Directors as President and from 2019-2021, Will was elected to the SHPE National Board, having been a SHPE member since 2000. He is a lifetime member of MAES, SHPE, and the UTEP Alumni Association. Notably, he was the 2018 recipient of the Great Minds in STEM/HENAAC Santiago Rodriguez Diversity and Inclusion Award.

National Board Chair Miguel Alemañy said about the appointments, “We are thrilled to bring back Will to our Board. His experience and expertise, especially with human resources and DEI, makes him a critical player as we set and execute our new 5-year strategic plan. And I am equally excited to welcome Melanie to this role. She brings much needed passion along with fresh insight and perspective. She joins eleven other members who are serving their first term, meaning 75% of our current Board is new. We look forward to their fresh input and guidance as they shape SHPE’s future course.”

ABOUT SHPE
SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 13,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. To accomplish this, SHPE provides a variety of programming, services, resources, and events, including hosting the largest Hispanic STEM convention in the nation. For more information, visit http://shpe.org.

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We are so grateful to these members of Congress for taking the time to record video messages for our members attending the 2021 SHPE National Convention! Each of them voices their support of SHPE and of Hispanics in STEM, as well as, offering their advice to our audience of young, aspiring leaders in STEM.

SHPE is excited to be working closely with members of Congress to advance our mission of changing lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development.

SHPE: LEADING HISPANICS IN STEM ELEVATES DR. CHRIS WILKIE TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Having Served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Organization for Over Four Years During a Time of Tremendous Growth, Dr. Wilkie Steps Up to Lead SHPE Into the Next Phase

(City of Industry, CA) — SHPE (The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) has named Dr. Chris Miguel Wilkie as their Chief Executive Officer effective today. Dr. Wilkie spent the last four years serving as SHPE’s Chief Operating Officer, making him uniquely qualified to immediately capitalize on the momentum of growth and national impact the organization achieved during the leadership of the previous CEO, Raquel Tamez.

SHPE’s Board of Directors brought in global management consulting firm, Korn Ferry, to conduct an extensive, countrywide executive search for Ms. Tamez’s successor. They were tasked with finding someone to be not only the lead executive, but also the chief ambassador. They needed someone who was ready and capable to guide an already thriving organization to the next level of strategic development and transformation. And to accomplish this, they required a candidate with a deep knowledge of departments, core programs, operations, and business plans.

It was a tall order, but after a thorough and extensive research and interview process, “The perfect candidate was already among our ranks,” Miguel Alemañy, SHPE’s interim CEO and current Board Chair, says. “We [the SHPE Board] were incredibly impressed with Chris’ understanding and vision for the organization. He has ambitious and exciting goals for the coming years. And the best part? We know he can achieve them! His ability to get the work done and advocate for our mission has been demonstrated time and time again in his position as COO.”

Dr. Wilkie has over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit industry, and is a subject matter expert in operational excellence, change management, nonprofit compliance, and research-based programming. Prior to SHPE, Chris was the AVP of Regulatory, Oversight, and Monitoring for SourceAmerica, a national nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities. He began his nonprofit executive career in public health, expanding his reach by becoming an entrepreneur: launching his own consulting company, working with county health departments, public independent school districts, and nonprofit organizations across Texas.

After four years as COO, Chris strongly believes that true allyship can yield the most remarkable results. And you need to look no further than the success he’s realized at SHPE for proof. Revenue, event attendance, and membership have all grown to record numbers during his tenure.

“What an honor it is to be entrusted with this critical role.” Dr. Wilke says. “I will readily leverage the experiences, opportunities, and support I’ve been given throughout my career to catapult this transformational organization to their rightful place as a nationally sought-after and respected changemaker. I am deeply committed to SHPE’s mission and look forward to closing the gap between Hispanics and STEM.”

“It’s an exciting time.” Mr. Alemañy reiterates. “I believe that under Chris’ leadership a future where Hispanics are highly valued as innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers is just around the corner. SHPE, and the world, will be better for it.”

About SHPE

SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 13,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. For more information please visit https://www.shpe.org/

Dr. Chris Wilkie and Miguel Alemañy are available for interviews.

SHPE: LEADING HISPANICS IN STEM TO HOST 45TH NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ORLANDO, NOVEMBER 10 – 14

Thousands of Professionals, Industry Leaders, and Innovators to Attend the Largest Gathering of Hispanic STEM Talent in the Nation

(October 18, 2021) — SHPE (The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), a national organization representing Hispanic professionals and students in STEM, will host its 45^th National Convention in Orlando, Florida at the Orange County Convention Center on November 10 – 14, 2021. SHPE’s convention is the largest gathering of Hispanic STEM talent in the nation.

More than 6,000 students, professionals, academia, and industry leaders will gather for four days of learning including professional and leadership development through sessions and workshops, speakers, signature events, networking, competitions, and award ceremonies. The theme of the convention is “The Most Magical Time,” celebrating the evolution of SHPE, the empowerment of its members, the community of Familia, and the magic of Hispanics in STEM. For all attendees, the convention will serve as a catalyst for both personal and professional transformation which, in turn, will have a powerful impact on the Hispanic community, the U.S. workforce, and our global economy.

According to the Pew Research Center while nearly 20% of the U.S. population is Hispanic, only 8% of STEM jobs are filled by Hispanic professionals. In leadership positions, this percentage is even lower. SHPE exists to narrow and eventually close this gap by raising awareness and increasing access. In addition to connecting our members with many of the top organizations in STEM, the SHPE National Convention is also one of our most powerful tools to prepare Hispanic students and professionals to be top talent and leaders in their field, driving innovation, the global economy, and a prosperous Hispanic community.

Over the four days, attendees will be able to take advantage of technical training, leadership, and professional development, and networking opportunities, as well as interacting with over 250 exhibitors and sponsors actively recruiting new talent. The convention is made up of five specialized conferences, with something for everyone, including:

• The Pre-College Conference (virtual) is designed for high school students, their teachers and families to help shape students’ views of STEM as they think about pursuing STEM in higher ed and increase their access to information which will help and support their students succeed.
• The Academic Conference hosts students and faculty at all levels of higher education. Participants gain valuable resources and networking opportunities while discovering best-practices, career opportunities, and learn both the opportunities and challenges Hispanics face while earning STEM degrees and entering the workforce. Tracks include Advisors, Advisors, Community College, Undergraduate, Graduate, which covers those wanting to go into Graduate school after undergraduate, those currently in Graduate school, and going from Graduate school into the Corporate World, and Diversity & Inclusion. And this year a new 3-Minute Thesis Competition is being introduced as part of our Graduate Track.
• The SHPEtinas: Igniting Latinas in STEM Conference strives to accelerate Latina representation at all levels of corporate and academic leadership in STEM while affirming the Latina identity.
• The Professionals in STEM Conference provides a differentiated learning approach to its attendees, granting them a diverse toolkit of skills, knowledge, and experience to be successful STEM professionals. Either in workshops or networking sessions our Professionals are getting great interactive time to grow their network.
• The SHPETech Conference is designed to shine a spotlight on cutting edge STEM technology for maximum impact. This conference offers Tech Talks, Cybersecurity Challenge, Innovation Challenge, Design Challenge and Engineering Science Symposium.

The highlight of the event is the two-day Career Fair where thousands of jobs will be offered by companies like Facebook, Boeing, Apple, Google, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson and many others. Due to COVID travel restrictions, some companies are not able to send representatives to the Convention this year so a virtual job fair will also be held with virtual interviews on November 5.

SHPE’s National Convention will also include two SHPE Technical Achievement and Recognition (STAR) Award ceremonies, the exclusive Excellence in STEM Breakfast and the STAR Awards Celebration. The STAR Awards recognize key individuals, corporations, government agencies, and academic institutions that have contributed significantly to support Hispanics in STEM. The full list of winners is here.

This year SHPE announces an all-new STAR Award to be presented annually at the SHPE National Convention. The Rodrigo Garcia Founder’s Award is to honor the contributions of founder Rodrigo Garcia who will also be the first recipient during this year’s convention. In 2022, the award will be open for nominations for candidates that meet the criteria.

The Visionary Sponsor of SHPE’s 2021 National Convention is Discover. This is the second year they have supported the SHPE Convention as a visionary sponsor.

Members of the media are encouraged to pre-register for the conference. For press credentials, contact Alyssa Sullivan at [email protected] or 617-899-8631.

About SHPE
SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) is a nonprofit organization serving and advancing Hispanics in STEM. With more than 13,000 student and professional members, SHPE’s mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. For more information please visit https://www.shpe.org/