Journey.

I'm the son of Mexican immigrant farmworkers. I grew up in Watsonville, California, working long days in the strawberry and raspberry fields alongside my family. With limited access to technology and resources, a career in tech felt distant — Silicon Valley was just miles away, yet worlds apart.

Those early experiences shaped a relentless work ethic and a deep commitment to expanding access for others facing the same barriers.

When I pursued a path in software engineering, I was told I wasn't a strong candidate — not because of a lack of ability, but because of limited exposure to technology and the absence of a traditional computer science pathway. The odds were stacked: without access, breaking into a computer science program was difficult, and without that credential, entering tech felt nearly impossible.

Rather than accept that reality, I pushed through it. I broke into tech against the odds, becoming engineer #4 and a founding team member at Habu, where I played a critical role in building and scaling the company's technology — contributing to its $200 million acquisition by LiveRamp. Today, as a Senior Software Engineer, I continue to break barriers, proving that talent exists everywhere — even where opportunity does not.

I'm deeply committed to closing the digital divide that once stood in my way. I serve as a board member of Digital NEST, the organization that helped launch my career, where I now help guide strategy and growth to expand access to technology, mentorship, and high-paying career pathways for underserved youth.

As a leader within the Latinos in Tech Giving Circle, I've helped mobilize over $250,000 in funding to Latino-led nonprofits, directly investing in the future of my community.

Because of my journey, I've taken the stage as a TEDx speaker, using my voice to inspire the next generation to dream bigger, push past systemic barriers, and pursue careers once thought out of reach.

I'm also producing a documentary, Las Mismas Manos, amplifying stories of resilience and ensuring that young people from communities like mine can finally see themselves reflected in success.

I'm not just building technology — I'm building access, representation, and opportunity. My mission is clear: to close the digital divide and open doors for the next generation of engineers and entrepreneurs, leaving the path wider than I found it.