Meet Beatris Mendez Gandica

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Beatris Mendez Gandica. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Beatris, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

My generosity comes from my grandfather, Papito. He always taught me, “Si usted tiene, usted tiene que dar,” which means, “If you have, you must give.” He showed me through his own actions that having the ability to help others is a responsibility, not just an option. This principle has been a guiding force in my life and in the work I do at Nuevo Foundation, where sharing knowledge and opportunities with others is at the heart of our mission.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

At Nuevo Foundation, I’m dedicated to creating accessible and engaging STEM education experiences for young people, especially those from underrepresented communities. We provide a wide range of programs, from coding workshops, virtual sessions, and speaker engagements, to larger-scale events like hackathons. Each of these programs is designed not only to teach technical skills but also to inspire confidence and show that anyone can succeed in tech.

What excites me most is seeing the moment when students realize they can code or solve a problem they thought was too hard. It’s incredible to watch them gain confidence and start imagining new possibilities for their future. I also love that our programs have a personal touch—volunteers and leaders share their own stories, breaking down stereotypes and empowering students with real-world examples.

As for what’s new, we’re expanding our reach in exciting ways. On December 13, we’re hosting a hackathon in Jamaica, NY, thanks to support from GitLab and Pilar, where students will have a chance to develop projects and practice coding skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. This event marks a big step in our growth, helping us bring STEM resources to more communities.

I also want people to know that Nuevo Foundation’s mission is deeply personal to me—it’s about giving back and creating opportunities that my own grandfather encouraged in me. I want every young person to know that they have a place in tech, no matter where they come from.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Reflecting on my journey, the three qualities that have made the most impact are resilience, empathy, and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Resilience – Like many in tech, I’ve faced my share of setbacks and challenges. Resilience has been crucial, helping me push forward despite obstacles, whether in founding Nuevo Foundation or in creating new programs from scratch. For those early in their journey, I’d say embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Each challenge is a chance to grow stronger, build confidence, and improve. Small daily efforts to overcome challenges build resilience over time.

Empathy – This quality is at the core of creating impactful, inclusive programs at Nuevo Foundation. Understanding the needs and experiences of the communities we serve has allowed us to design programs that truly resonate. My advice is to focus on listening—really taking the time to understand others’ perspectives, especially those of people from different backgrounds. Volunteer work and community projects are great ways to build this skill, and it makes all the difference when it comes to making meaningful contributions.

Entrepreneurial Mindset – Building something from the ground up, like Nuevo Foundation, requires a balance of creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability. For anyone looking to develop this, I suggest stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on projects that require both strategy and innovation. Start small—maybe a side project, hackathon, or organizing an event—where you can practice wearing different hats.

For those starting out, I’d emphasize patience and a willingness to learn. Building these qualities isn’t instant, but each step in developing them makes you better equipped to achieve your goals and contribute to something bigger.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely, we’re always looking to collaborate with passionate individuals and organizations who believe in our mission at Nuevo Foundation. Here’s how you can get involved:

Volunteers – We welcome volunteers to help us spread the word about our mission and the free STEM content we offer, now available in over six languages. If you’re interested in social media, outreach, content creation, or teaching, your support would help us reach more underrepresented students. Volunteers who can create content for students worldwide or teach our content in their local schools, either virtually or in person, are especially needed.

Teachers and Parents – If you’re a teacher or parent, we’d love to bring our workshops, resources, and hands-on learning opportunities to your school. Whether it’s through a virtual event or an in-person session, we’re excited to help prepare students for a future in STEM.

Donors and Sponsors – We’re also looking for partners who want to support our mission financially. Your support allows us to reach even more students across the U.S. and globally, giving them the tools and confidence to dream big.

If you’re reading this and want to make a difference, please reach out! You can contact me at [email protected]—I’d love to discuss how we can work together to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nuevofoundation.org
• Instagram: @beagandica
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/nuevofoundation
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/beagandica
• Twitter: https://x.com/beagandica
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/nuevofoundation
• Other: All socials are: @beagandica and @nuevofoundation

Image Credits

Nuevo Foundation Volunteers