For many years SHPE chapters have delivered parent programming in conjunction with Noche de Ciencias pre-college events. Two years ago, SHPE began designing Equipando Padres to fill collegiate parent programming gap. “When we looked at nationwide programming, we found programming for first-generation-to-college parents, Hispanic parents, and engineering parents, but what was missing was programming at the intersection of the three,” says SHPE Chief Research & Innovation Officer, Dr. Kimberly D. Douglas. “That’s the gap the Equipando Padres program fills.”  Equipando Padres is a dedicated effort to provide parents of first-generation-to-college Hispanic students the knowledge and tools to better support their children earning engineering degrees.

Research shows that parent support is critical for student success. “We know from our experience with SHPE members, that Hispanic parents give their children all the emotional support possible. However, many of these parents haven’t gone through the college experience themselves so we equip them with the college knowledge necessary to provide their children with instrumental support,” says SHPE Director, Dr. Dayna L. Martínez. “That’s where the Equipando Padres program comes in!”  SHPE’s expertise is in designing curriculum that includes the cultural aspects critical to the Hispanic experience while addressing the specific challenges of pursuing an engineering career. The ultimate goal is to position parents and caregivers as an integral contributor to their student’s success.

The Equipando Padres program, supported by Raytheon Technologies, began by delivering one-hour workshops in conjunction with virtual pre-college events while we worked to develop content to launch Equipando Padres University. Equipando Padres University is a multi-year parent and caregiver experience that will parallel their child’s college experience earning an engineering degree. SHPE’s first offering in Equipando Padres University is a half-day experience for adult family members with children interested in pursuing engineering. It is delivered by engineering professionals, students, parents, and staff to support caregivers who have students currently interested in exploring engineering careers.

On February 18, 2023, SHPE launched the first of six offerings for this pilot program in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Over 26 parents completed the course with an additional 24 volunteers, facilitators, and SHPE staff in attendance. This included special support from two Universidad de Puerto Rico campuses – Mayagüez and Ponce. The Puerto Rico offering was delivered entirely in Spanish, but the remaining offerings will be delivered in both Spanish and English.

The day started with a warm welcome from Dr. Martínez and interim CEO, Miguel Alemañy. “This is a game changer for Hispanics in STEM,” Alemañy shared with the participants. “The future of STEM depends on the mothers, fathers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and caregivers of this next generation supporting their children’s success. With your support, anything is possible.”

This first Equipando Padres University offering focuses on three critical topics: Why College, Choosing a College, and Preparing for College Visits. Participants have access to a complete set of resources during the session that can also be accessed virtually for ongoing support. These are available via the Equipando Padres website, and include a guidebook, a college ranking tool, a college visit scorecard and college visit budget template, informational videos, and, of course, swag. The guidebook is designed as a flip book – written in both Spanish and English.

The preliminary data from this event indicates success on multiple levels. Nearly 77% of participants say they now know more about the three main topics covered by the course. A whopping 95% said that after completing this first Equipando Padres University event, their confidence increased around supporting their child’s dream for a engineering education. When asked “how much do you feel you are part of the SHPE Familia” on a scale from 1-10 (with 1 being “not at all” and 10 being “a lot”), the average rating was 9!

Another success? 100% indicated a 10 when asked how likely they are to recommend Equipando Padres University to others. We know from our research that the need  for these resources is out there, but we know from experience that our curriculum is endorsed by the people who matter most – our parent participants.

A huge thank you goes out to SHPE’s hard-working Equipando Padres team. Dr. Kimberly D. Douglas originally envisioned the program and built a partnership with Raytheon Technologies to make it a reality. The program was then developed and executed by Dr. Dayna Martínez, Enrique Guzmán, Liliana González, and Yajaira de La Paz.

We’re also indebted to Raytheon Technologies for their support of the program as the exclusive sponsor. “Without their financial support and collaborative vision, these life-changing events and materials would not be possible,” says interim CEO Miguel Alemañy. “Raytheon Technologies’ commitment to the future of Hispanics in STEM is truly a game changer.”

With the first offering a success, we’re full steam ahead with deploying Equipando Padres University across the nation this spring. Additional pilots were held in the Hialeah/Miami, FL area on March 11, and in Hacienda Heights, CA on March 25. Future dates will be announced for Tucson, AZ; Charlotte, NC; and a virtual session.

For more information and updates about Equipando Padres and Equipando Padres University, please sign up on our Equipando Padres website, or contact [email protected].

Former Board Treasurer and Human Resources Professional Brings Valuable People Management and Organizational Skills to the Leadership Team

(City of Industry, CA) — Effective April 1, 2023, former Board Treasurer and Intel executive Ernesto “Ernie” Felix serves as Chief of Staff for SHPE, reporting directly to interim CEO Miguel Alemañy.

Ernesto Felix was born and raised in the small border town of Nogales, Arizona. His father, Alvaro, an auto mechanic, and mother, Carmen, a retail store supervisor, worked hard and instilled that work ethic into Ernesto and his brothers. Ernesto graduated from Nogales High School with honors and received a scholarship to attend Arizona State University (ASU), where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Economics. At ASU, he was selected to be a foreign exchange student at the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico, where he experienced and connected with authentic Mexican culture.

Ernesto worked at Intel Corporation for over 27 years and retired earlier this year. He’s a recognized change agent and thought leader with expertise in diversity and inclusion, large scale program management, leadership development, and human resources management. Known as an innovative problem solver, trusted advisor, and collaborator with global cross-industry experience, he has built and led teams in the U.S.A., Latin America, and Asia. Ernesto also led the Hispanic Initiative programs at Intel, where he developed a strategy to hire, develop, grow, and retain Hispanics. Today the LatinX program serves as a model for other community initiatives.

Having been in SHPE’s Industry Partnership Council (IPC) for many years as the Intel representative, Lifetime member Ernesto has a long history with SHPE. He also served on the board of the SHPE Foundation and on the SHPE Board of Directors from 2015-2020 with all of those years spent as the Treasurer.

“I’m excited by the expertise and passion that Ernie brings to the SHPE organization,” says interim CEO Miguel Alemañy. “His program management, human resource, and leadership development skills, along with his commitment to SHPE, are exactly what we need to help our team achieve its full potential, while also improving the efficiency of our processes.”

About his new role Ernesto says, “SHPE has always held a special place in my heart, so I’m honored to be able to use my experience to serve the organization during this second stage of my career. I look forward to working closely with Miguel and the SHPE staff and members to take SHPE to the next level of success.”

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/

We know the SHPE Familia is made up of an impressive, world-class pedigree. Our ranks include astronauts, senators, CEOs, and celebrities. But when one of our own achieves possibly the highest honor available in our field – the discipline of STEM – it’s an achievement worthy of special celebration.

In 2021, SHPE Lifetime Member, Dr. Julio A. Navarro (whom you might know as “Dr.J”) was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) for the development and implementation of phased-array sensors and communication systems for aerospace applications. Election to the NAE is one of the highest professional honors possible for an engineer. It recognizes outstanding engineering contributions including the pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education.

Established in 1964, the NAE’s network of more than 2,300 members work together to advance the United States’ global reputation by providing guidance to policymakers and government institutions on decisions related to engineering and technology. Becoming an NAE member is a monumental accomplishment in part because of how difficult it is to be elected into the organization. New members must be nominated by current members and are evaluated on a range of criteria, including scientific and real-world impact, involvement with professional societies, and major awards received.

In layman’s terms – induction into the NAE is a big, big deal. And Dr. J epitomizes all of the standards listed above and more. 

Born in Argentina, Navarro grew up in Texas and received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from Texas A&M University. While he started his career in 1995 at a small company called Epsilon-Lambda Corporation, the vast majority of his professional life has been spent at The Boeing Company where he started in 1996. After nearly 30 years, he has risen through the workforce to Principal Senior Technical Fellow in Research and Technology – a position held by approximately 0.01% of the engineers at The Boeing Company.

Dr. J is a subject matter expert in radio frequency circuits, antennas, and heterogeneously-integrated electronics. His work has transformed communications and data transmission in the aerospace industry with promising implications for agricultural, security and other commercial applications. Navarro has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, has been granted 33 U.S. patents, and has received more awards and honors than we can count. His industry impact is beyond evident. 

While the prestigious awards and accomplishments are certainly impressive, Dr. J’s commitment to empowering and inspiring the next generation of Hispanic engineers is what really sets him apart.  

“Increasing the involvement of our youth in the STEM fields is the most critical challenge to maintain our country’s technical and economic leadership.” Navarro says. 

Like any good engineer, he went searching for a solution to this problem, and that is when he discovered SHPE. Since then, he’s been involved with the organization in one form or another for the past 20+ years. He is Boeing’s executive sponsor for SHPE and served as the Vice-Chair, and then Chair, of the Industry Partnership Council (IPC) in 2011 and 2012. He is a STAR Award winner, recipient of the President’s Award, and active mentor. We are proud to have him as a Lifetime Member and look forward to many more years of his inspiring leadership.

“Whatever you do, you have to enjoy it,” he says. “Design engineering means hard work, long hours and sometimes failure. You shouldn’t do it for money or prestige. You should do it because you like it. People will see that you do it well, and they’ll give you their attention.”

Well, Dr. J, if your career is any indication – your advice is as good as gold. Congratulations on this immense distinction! We are honored to call you a part of our Familia. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        
March 2, 2023

On February 16, Dr. Chris Wilkie resigned from his position as the SHPE CEO to pursue other opportunities. Effective immediately, former Board Chair and retired P&G executive Miguel Alemañy has returned as the interim CEO.

About Dr. Wilkie, Board Chair Fernando Paz said, “During his six years of service as our Chief Operating Officer and then, starting in 2021 as CEO, Chris pushed SHPE forward, increasing membership, event attendance, and funding beyond original expectations, all in service of our mission. The SHPE Board and the entire Familia are grateful to him for his service and tireless dedication to the cause.”

Lifetime member Miguel Alemañy who previously served as Board Chair, as well as, the interim CEO for six months in 2021, will return to that role as the Board of Directors conducts a thorough executive search. “While much work remains ahead of us, Chris set up our next CEO to quickly come up to speed and contribute by laying a foundation with a solid reorganization of the staff structure, empowering the team to meet and exceed the operational and strategic goals for 2022-2025, and putting the organization’s focus squarely on the mission,” says Alemañy. “SHPE is the strongest it has ever been and much of that success is thanks to Chris’ leadership in addition to the staff.”

In the midst of executing six Spring conferences, taking the Equipando Padres program on the road, integrating a new Supporter Network, and setting the stage for the 2023 National Convention in Salt Lake City, the SHPE team remains focused on its bold strategy to protect its core, grow in new areas, and attain eminence for Hispanics in STEM. The Board, staff, and regional leaders look forward to welcoming the next CEO into the Familia and continuing this progress under their leadership.

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/

Contact: Jen Linck
[email protected]
703-732-6701

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        
November 29, 2022

(City of Industry, CA) — The SHPE Familia joins the Hispanic and STEM communities in honoring Great Minds in STEM founder Ray Mellado who passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on the morning of November 25.

Founded by Carmela and Ray Mellado in 1989, Great Minds in STEM (GMiS; formerly HENAAC) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping America technologically strong by promoting science, technology, engineering, and math careers in underserved communities. GMiS pursues their mission through its annual HENAAC conference, and its educational programs like the Hall of Fame, Viva Technology, and STEM-Up.

Ray and Carmela Mellado befriended SHPE founder Rod Garcia close to fifty years ago and the trio collaborated for many years to advance their shared values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM. In fact, Carmela produced SHPE’s first national newsletter which laid the foundation for Hispanic Engineer Magazine, a partnership between SHPE, Mellado Communications, and Career Communications Group that featured the stories of outstanding Hispanic engineers and scientists. SHPE and GMiS continue to work together on various fronts to this day and many SHPE members consider Ray Mellado a role model and inspiration.

“Ray Mellado realized early in his career that Hispanic excellence was intrinsically linked to American competitiveness,” said 2002 HENAAC Scholar, 2009 HENAAC Luminary, and 2018 HENAAC Award Winner and SHPE Lifetime Member and Board Secretary Will Davis. “His quest to tell the stories of role models and heroes, graduate folks with STEM degrees and secure them jobs, and spark the imaginations of kids from underserved communities has changed the narrative for Hispanics. His legacy of thinking bigger and bolder is fitting, because just like the organization he founded, Ray was a Great Mind in STEM.”

“Ray Mellado was a giant,” SHPE Lifetime Member and former Board Chair Miguel Alemañy said. “Someone who believed in the power of STEM and the need for Hispanics to be represented at every level. He was a powerful force in the industry, founding and supporting HENAAC, later changed to GMiS. I worked with him for many years across our organizations and was always impressed by his tireless dedication, his energy and motivation, and his drive. He never asked for anything in return but gave to the community 100%. He was a role model and someone we will miss dearly in the Hispanic STEM industry and in STEM in general.”

SHPE past National President and Lifetime Member Diana Gomez said, “Ray Mellado loved his community and he worked tirelessly to improve it. When I became SHPE National President, Ray was one of my biggest supporters, mentor, and a great friend. I will treasure our beautiful friendship and his legacy will continue in each and every one of us he helped.”

A visionary in the STEM community and an honorary SHPE Lifetime Member, Ray Mellado, his family, and his GMiS colleagues will be in the thoughts and prayers of all of the SHPE members who had the fortune to know him and all those who wish to honor the contribution he made to advance underserved communities in STEM. His loss leaves a hole in the heart of our Familia.

UPDATED 12/7/22! A Celebration of Life Mass is being held at 9:00am on Friday, December 9, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels (555 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA) with the burial immediately following at Rose Hills Memorial Park and then a luncheon and reception at Quiet Cannon. RSVP to [email protected]. Please direct flower deliveries to arrive between December 7^th and 8^th at Castañeda Crollett Mortuary, 3715 E. Cesar Chavez Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90063.

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/

Contact: Jen Linck
[email protected]
703-732-6701

Honeywell is the Visionary Sponsor of Country’s Largest Gathering of Hispanic STEM Talent Attended by Over Ten Thousand Professionals, Industry Leaders, and Innovators

(September 27, 2022) — SHPE (The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), a national organization representing Hispanic professionals and students in STEM, will host its 46^th National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Charlotte Convention Center on November 2 through 6, 2022.  The largest gathering of Hispanic STEM talent in the nation, the event is expected to be attended by over 10,000 students, professionals, academia, and industry leaders.

The four day gathering will offer attendees professional and leadership development through sessions and workshops, speakers, signature events, networking, competitions, and award ceremonies. The theme of the convention is Racing Towards the Future, celebrating the evolution of SHPE, the empowerment of its members, the community of Familia, and the innovation of Hispanics in STEM; with a nod to the NASCAR influences in the host city. For all attendees, the convention will serve as a catalyst for both personal and professional future growth 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.

This year, a major highlight of the convention will be Fearless, a new 8-session speaking series designed to inspire the audience to take risks, conquer fears and lead a life of purpose.  Curated by SHPE CEO Dr. Chris Wilkie and sponsored by Rockwell Automation, Fearless speakers will include leading STEM experts and influencers on topics such as leadership, diversity and inclusion, technology, and equity in the workspace. A list of Fearless speakers is here.

Another highlight will be featured speaker Mateo Salvatto, the 23-year old founder of Asteroid Technologies, author, and innovator. He will share his journey transitioning from average high school student into one of Argentina’s most respected tech businessmen through the creation of Háblalo, an app that assists more than 250,000 people globally who have hearing loss and verbal communication disabilities.

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 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, Community College, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Diversity & Inclusion.
• 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 theme for this year is ¡Ready, Set, Vamos! 
• 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, along with four exciting competitions: Cybersecurity Challenge, Extreme Engineering, Design Challenge, and Engineering Science Symposium.
• The Pre-College Conference will take place at five secondary schools in the area, with SHPE staff and volunteers bringing the popular Día de Ciencias hands-on science event to the students along with college readiness sessions for them and their parents.

A popular offering of the event is the two-day Career Fair & Graduate School Expo where thousands of jobs will be offered by companies like Facebook, Boeing, Apple, Google, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson and over 200 other leading companies in STEM. The full list of exhibitors is here.

SHPE’s National Convention will also include 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 recipients of the 2022 Rubén Hinojosa STEM Awards are U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, California, U.S. Senator John Cornyn, Texas, U.S. Congressman Tony Cardenas, California, and U.S. Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar, Florida.   The full list of winners is here.

The Visionary Sponsor of SHPE’s 2022 National Convention is Honeywell. Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

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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/

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.

Co-Signed Statement of Solidarity with the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)

Los Angeles, CA – As an organization that advocates daily for a world where diversity is celebrated and inclusion is valued as integral to the success of the United States, it is our imperative to speak up on behalf of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) brothers and sisters. We must speak out about what has now become a national crisis.

According to the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE), one in four Asians experienced a form of racism in 2020. While racism certainly isn’t a new phenomenon, it isn’t difficult to see the connection between this increase in hate and the rhetoric that’s being used in connection with the global pandemic. These falsehoods must be called out and the actors who use that rhetoric to justify hate crimes must be condemned.

“As a Hispanic woman, I’ve seen this kind of blatant racism and discrimination firsthand. It’s painful. It’s frightening. And it holds us back from bringing our full abilities to bear. None of us should have to live in fear that we’ll be targeted based on nothing more than how we look, our culture, or heritage.” says SHPE CEO Raquel Tamez.

Now more than ever, during this time when we are all battling a global pandemic and an economic crisis, we must embrace and support each other. And now more than ever, it is critical that we amplify Asian voices; and that we speak out loudly about how important the AAPI community is to the past and future success of our country.

To show our continued support, SHPE has co-signed a Statement of Solidarity from SASE. We strongly encourage all of our members and partners to share this statement and join us in taking this stand against hate.

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HOW CAN YOU HELP?

• Educate yourself through advocacy organizations like Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ);
• Participate in bystander intervention training to learn how to respond to racist harassment;
• Report hate crimes using this incident reporting tool to help develop better anti-violence policies;
• Donate directly to victims who have experienced anti-Asian attacks;
• Attend SASE’s virtual Spark the Future competition on April 30, which asks teams to develop creative, engaging solutions to social justice challenges. Like all SASE programs, the purpose is to elevate AAPI voices and promote allyship among the global community.

Source: Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)

Printable press release >

On Saturday we buried a great man.

Rodrigo “Rod” Garcia was laid to rest surrounded by his family, wife, kids, grandkids, and his SHPE family. He was eulogized in the House, his career was recorded in the Senate, the California Congress recognized him, and President Biden sent a condolence letter.

Why? Because he changed the face of our nation, the composition of our society, the state of professional Hispanic engineers, and he did it forever.

We all know what he did. It was celebrated yesterday and has been celebrated in many circles. It will be celebrated this fall in Charlotte and will be celebrated again in 2024 in Anaheim.

We all know what he did. So I want to illustrate what he DID NOT do.

Rod saw a need. A critically important need, for himself and for his friends. Specifically, he saw a lack of Hispanic engineers in the city of Los Angeles in 1974. At that point, however, he did NOT storm city hall, he did not organize a city wide walk out. He did not block the interstates, called for a boycott, or a strike, or sued the city, or started a petition, or got layers involved, or even picketed city hall. He did not do ANY of those things, things that everyone does these days for the slightest reason.

Instead, he created (along with 4 other friends), the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. And in the process, he changed the world.

Rod’s personal work changed the lives of hundreds of thousands across the nation who in turn changed the lives of hundreds of thousands more. He truly changed our nation, our society.

I asked him many years ago how come he wasn’t more military at the time, like everyone these days does. His response spoke volumes of his intelligence and character. He said (paraphrasing), “if I had forced the city to hire Hispanic engineers and they tried but not found them, we would have lost all credibility, and the effort would have failed. We had to create the pipeline of talent before they could be hired.” Brilliant!

Rod served as the first president, executive director and many other positions including Board member on the recently created appointed professional board. His contributions continued to be significant, his wisdom very valuable, and he continued to dedicate a great part of his life to making SHPE successful.

Sadly, today SHPE enters a new phase. Today SHPE starts life without Rod. He is no longer present. However, his legacy will continue forever, and the next 50 yeas will be amazing. In everything we do, we will see Rod and his love for the SHPE family.

His only regret? He didn’t think he would make it to the 50th celebration. We told him he would, of course. But he knew better. But I tell you all, Rod will be with us in everything we do for the rest of time. SHPE is Rod’s legacy.

Remember Rod with love and admiration. He changed the world without any conflict, drama, battle, or negative words, he did it in the most productive way.

Rest In Peace dear friend.

Miguel Alemañy
Past Board Chair, Lifetime Member
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

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.