Meet Bernardo Lopez Santos

We were lucky to catch up with Bernardo Lopez Santos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bernardo, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose during my first year of college, although, in hindsight, I had been fulfilling my calling long before that—I just didn’t realize it at the time.
This is often much easier said than done, but bear with me—because when I actively live my purpose, I truly become my best self.

My purpose is to empower people to reach their fullest potential, even when they can’t yet see it themselves.

During my first year of college, a high school student from my former school in Mexico reached out to me, eager to learn about the college application process as an international student who was unsure if college in the United States was the right opportunity for him. I was genuinely elated that someone sought my advice and trusted me for help. Without hesitation, I shared everything I had learned from my own journey—the resources I had leveraged and the insights I had gained. As our conversations unfolded, I started to realize that what he needed most wasn’t just practical guidance; it was the emotional conviction to believe in himself and take that leap of faith. He already had the financial support and academic acumen to study in the United States, but he needed vision and guidance—a coach to show him the opportunities I was living firsthand, help him fully believe in them, and reassure him that he could achieve the same if he truly wanted it.

During these conversations, I also offered him a balanced perspective—just as opportunities exist, challenges also exist, such as being away from home and family. It was important that he fully understood this. This is why it’s always critical to understand the “why” behind our actions and the “so what,” as this helps us consider both our motives and the repercussions of our choices.

This transformative moment—immersing someone into my own journey and sharing the life lessons that shaped me—taught me the true power of paying it forward and becoming a resource for people like me, who didn’t have someone guiding them through the complexities of their path.

Long story short, he fell in love with the experience I was living, applied to his dream college, and was accepted! When he called to share the news, I will never forget what he said: ‘Thank you for helping me reach my potential!’ It was at that moment I fully realized my purpose and understood that, by empowering others, I was truly living it.

This anecdote wasn’t just about helping someone realize their potential, it was also about the profound realization that my experiences held power beyond my own aspirations. While I had the unconditional emotional support of my family, I lacked a mentor to guide me through uncharted territories. That absence of mentorship highlighted the importance of what I could offer to others—the perspective, feedback, and emotional support. Over time, I realized that coaching wasn’t just something I could do—it was something I was meant to do. My journey wasn’t just my own; it became a blueprint for others. I saw that the support I wished I had was precisely what I could provide.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My journey began in Mexico, where I grew up as the eldest of three siblings. My parents, who came from humble beginnings, invested everything they had into one asset: our education.

This dedication led me to the United States, where I became a first-generation international college student, indebted to the financial support of my parents and the scholarships I earned. During my academic career, I had the privilege of living in vibrant cities like Los Angeles, where I earned my bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California, and New York, which I now call home and where I earned my M.B.A. degree from Columbia University.

Professionally, I have worked as a Management Consultant at global firms like Deloitte Consulting and Alvarez & Marsal, advising clients across multiple industries. Most importantly, what truly ignites my passion is coaching. I’ve had the honor of mentoring over 100 professionals and students, helping them realize their full potential.

What I find most exciting and special about my work is the human connection. I get to interact with a diverse range of individuals, learn about their unique aspirations, and empower them to achieve their dreams. Every day is a learning experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a tangible impact. I’m a firm believer in the power of listening—truly understanding the “why” and “so what” behind every situation.

My brand is built on active listening, insightful questioning, and strategic thinking, with an underlying ethos rooted in empowerment, passion, and positivity. I want people to know that they can shape their own destinies. We can only control our own actions, and we must be our own strongest advocates. Ultimately, no one else can take that crucial leap for us.

I also understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each individual and situation is unique, demanding a tailored approach. By deeply listening and understanding the underlying motivations, I can craft customized strategies that bring out the best in each person. My goal is to help individuals not only achieve their goals but also discover and embrace their most authentic selves.

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?

Looking back, I believe three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: active listening, insightful questioning, and strategic thinking.

First, my ability to actively listen involves focusing on absorbing information accurately and empathetically. By truly listening and understanding the nuances of others’ situations, I can grasp the “why” and “so what” of any given scenario, enabling me to provide tailored solutions. My advice to those early in their journey is to cultivate genuine curiosity. Practice setting aside your own assumptions and biases, and focus on truly understanding the other person’s perspective. Paying close attention, avoiding interruptions, and demonstrating understanding through verbal and nonverbal cues show that you value and prioritize others’ time.

Secondly, my ability to craft insightful questions goes beyond simply asking questions. It involves eliciting information that probes deeper, uncovers the root of problems and hidden assumptions, and stimulates critical thinking. This skill has been invaluable in gaining new insights and facilitating problem-solving. It has allowed me to diagnose complex issues and guide individuals toward their own self-discovery and growth. My advice is to practice framing questions that explore motivations, challenges, and aspirations. Learn to ask open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection.

Finally, my ability to maintain a strategic, big-picture perspective has been essential. In a world that often demands quick fixes, it’s important to step back and consider the broader context. This skill has enabled me to identify patterns, anticipate challenges, and develop long-term strategies, whether in business or in guiding individuals toward their goals. My advice is to strengthen your analytical skills. Practice breaking down complex problems into manageable components while considering the interconnectedness of different factors. Learn to anticipate potential outcomes and create contingency plans.

These three qualities—active listening, insightful questioning, and strategic thinking—are interwoven and foundational to my journey. Active listening is the bedrock upon which insightful questioning is built; you must first truly hear and understand before you can ask meaningful questions that unlock deeper insights. These insights, in turn, shape a strategic perspective, enabling the development of effective, long-term solutions. Through these three skills, I have been able to help and empower others to realize their potential.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Coming from humble beginnings, my parents made the most impactful decision of their lives by investing every financial asset they had into our family’s education. They knew, with a certainty gained from their own journey, that education is the one asset that lasts—the key that opens doors no other possession can.
This was not a decision made lightly; it was a profound sacrifice. It meant foregoing their own dreams, like buying a house, the comforts of building a secure retirement, and any personal indulgences, such as traveling around the world. They chose to place our futures above their own immediate needs, driven by a desire to provide us with a life they themselves never had.

What truly sets their act apart was their unwavering faith in a future they couldn’t see. They knew those resources could have been used elsewhere for tangible, immediate gains. Yet, they were visionaries. They understood that education was the foundation upon which we could build a life far surpassing their own.

Their selfless act wasn’t just about money; it was about their unwavering belief in our potential, even when others might have doubted it. It’s this same belief in potential that drives my purpose today—to unlock the potential within others and to push them to believe in themselves when no one else has. My parents gave me the tools to create a better life, and now, I strive to do the same for others. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardolopezsantos/
• Other: contact email: [email protected]