Meet Ximena Cortez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ximena Cortez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ximena below.

Ximena, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

In October 2023, Acapulco, Guerrero, faced one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent years. Hurricane Otis swept through, leaving behind a trail of destruction—community centers, homes, schools, and everything in its path were torn apart. Among the many impacted were the children of Xolapa, a small pueblo just 30 minutes from Acapulco. Despite the devastation, these children didn’t stop attending school. They showed up, day after day, amidst the ruins of what was left of their school. Their resilience was a quiet but powerful testament to the human spirit.

In February 2024, I traveled to Xolapa to bring a little light into their world. I donated school bookbags and supplies to the local kindergarten and elementary schools. I knew these small gifts wouldn’t rebuild their school or their community, but I hoped it would bring a smile to their faces in the midst of their hardship.

At that very moment, I was also facing my own storm. I had just been laid off from my job at a major tech company. The layoff felt like a personal blow, a harsh reminder that all the hours of work, the stress, the sacrifice could be wiped away in an instant. But in the midst of my own uncertainty, I took a step back to reflect. I thought about how I would allow this experience to shape me.

Sitting outside the church in Xolapa, I watched a group of children from the school, laughing and playing tag as they walked home. They tossed small paper balls at each other, their joy so palpable it was contagious. I thought to myself, *You wouldn’t even know they had just survived a hurricane of that magnitude.* And in that moment, I realized something: my layoff, though painful, was not going to define me. I could have wallowed in misery, blamed the company, or doubted my own preparedness. Instead, I chose to respond with the same resilience I saw in those children. I chose to let the storm pass and move forward.

I allowed myself to feel the weight of the moment, then swung into action. I began interviewing, reaching out to my network, and pushing forward despite the challenges. As an H1B visa holder, the process was made even harder—companies had to be willing to sponsor my visa. Each rejection email stung, but I found strength in those kids. Every time I felt defeated, I thought about them running and laughing, unaffected by the devastation around them. *If they can keep going,* I told myself, *so can I.* So, I kept applying, kept posting on LinkedIn, kept showing up for myself, no matter how many setbacks I faced.

Then, after months of persistence, my moment came. A company saw my potential, offered me a role, and agreed to sponsor my visa. In just a few days, I interviewed, got the offer, accepted it, and transferred my visa.

Months have passed since that personal hurricane, and while the road was difficult, I kept moving forward. There were times I wondered if I would ever find my way out, but I never stopped pushing. I kept going because I understood—just like the children in Xolapa—that optimism is not something you wait for; it’s something you cultivate through action.

The children of Xolapa taught me an invaluable lesson: Optimism is not about ignoring the storm. It’s about showing up, even when the world feels uncertain. It’s about believing that after every hurricane, something good can come. Through their example, I learned that no matter what kind of hurricane hits—whether in the form of a natural disaster or a personal setback—there is always hope and always a way forward. You just have to keep going, and keep believing.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

Upon graduating with my undergraduate degree and entering the tech industry as an engineer, I quickly came to a realization: the technology sector is in dire need of greater diversity, particularly in terms of minority representation. Early in my career, I vividly remember searching for a mentor who shared my background—someone who looked like me—and struggling to find anyone. That absence of role models in the tech space became a powerful motivator for me. Instead of accepting this gap, I took it as a personal challenge and made it my mission to give back by inspiring the next generation of diverse talent in STEM.

I began volunteering at local schools, where I taught kids who looked like me about the wide array of exciting and fulfilling careers in technology. I wanted them to know that the tech world was full of opportunities they could pursue—and that it could be fun and rewarding. It was during this time that I had the opportunity to attend a conference where I met Beatris Mendez-Gandica, who co-founded the Nuevo Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring young minds to explore STEM fields. Her vision aligned perfectly with my own, and I knew immediately that this was an initiative I wanted to support.

As of today, I proudly serve as the Chicago Chapter Lead for the Nuevo Foundation. In this role, I coordinate with various local organizations to provide meaningful tech education opportunities to students. Our primary partners in Chicago include Chicago Public Schools and the Museum of Science and Industry. The goal is simple: to invest our time in students and show them the potential of a career in STEM.

Through our workshops, we introduce students to a range of tech topics, from the basics of HTML and web development to the complexities of hardware and coding. Additionally, we host panel discussion sessions where students have the opportunity to hear directly from professionals in STEM about their career journeys. These sessions provide valuable insight into the paths others have taken and the diverse possibilities within the tech industry.

By continuing to engage with students and expose them to the world of coding and technology, I hope to foster a sense of curiosity and empowerment in the next generation of leaders. We’re not just teaching them how to code; we’re showing them that the tech industry is a place where they can belong, thrive, and make a difference. Through these efforts, I am committed to helping bridge the diversity gap in tech and ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have the chance to explore their potential in STEM.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I believe that one of the most impactful skills I’ve developed is problem-solving. The ability to break down complex challenges into smaller, more manageable components and then devise effective solutions has proven invaluable throughout my career. This skill has taught me to analyze problems with a critical mindset, approach them from different perspectives, and find innovative ways to resolve them. It’s not just useful in my professional life, but it has also played a significant role in navigating personal challenges and decision-making. In both contexts, the ability to dissect a problem and think through potential solutions has helped me remain focused and adaptable.

Another essential quality that has shaped my career is the willingness to continually learn. The tech industry is ever-evolving, and new tools, languages, and methodologies are constantly emerging. Embracing this continuous learning mindset has allowed me to stay current with the latest advancements and adapt to new technologies as they arise. I’ve found that maintaining a curiosity-driven approach to learning keeps my skills relevant and helps me stay competitive in an industry that moves at such a rapid pace. Whether it’s through formal education, self-study, or hands-on experience, the pursuit of knowledge has been a cornerstone of my professional growth.

The third quality I’ve come to value is collaboration. While I enjoy working independently and often find satisfaction in tackling tasks on my own, I’ve learned that true success in the tech field comes from collaboration. Working alongside others, whether in a team environment or with cross-functional stakeholders, brings diverse perspectives and insights that lead to more effective problem-solving and better outcomes. Collaboration encourages open communication, fosters creative solutions, and ultimately contributes to a more productive and innovative work environment.

My advice to anyone in the tech field—or in any industry—is to remain curious and never stop asking questions. Curiosity drives learning, fosters growth, and opens up new opportunities. By embracing these qualities—problem-solving, continuous learning, and collaboration—success becomes not just achievable, but sustainable in the ever-changing landscape of technology.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

In the past year, my biggest challenge has been learning to distinguish between bad business decisions and self-doubt. After being laid off, I realized that the way a business is run often lies beyond the control of individual contributors, and sometimes we just become collateral damage. Understanding this has been tough, but incredibly valuable. It has helped me separate personal setbacks from the larger dynamics at play, giving me a clearer sense of my own worth and resilience. This lesson has empowered me to focus on what I can control and move forward with greater clarity and strength.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/xcortez
• Instagram: 009mena
• Linkedin: Ximena Cortez
• Twitter: ximena_cortez01

Image Credits

Nuevo Foundation