01Starting again
More than 25 years ago, I came to the United States looking for an opportunity to grow professionally and excited by the adventure of beginning a new life abroad. Building a life in another country meant adapting to a new language, food and culture while deeply missing my family, especially my mom. I had to rebuild community, professional reputation and belonging. At the same time, I kept nurturing friendships in Ecuador—some dating back to elementary school. Today, my community stretches across countries and decades.
02Learning & transformation
My telecommunications career began in the era of analog cellular technology. Over the next two decades, I had the opportunity not simply to watch the cellular industry transform, but to play a role in that transformation—working through successive generations of technology, testing new products and features, solving complex network problems, and helping networks evolve as communication changed dramatically. The technology kept evolving, and so did I.
03Sharing what I learn
I discovered that I loved learning, but I also loved sharing what I learned. Colleagues trusted me with increasingly complex problems and projects. Some required days of studying, testing and analyzing before the answer emerged. I loved that. I became an expert in my field. I was good at what I did. But eventually I began asking whether this was the only kind of impact I wanted to make.
04Choosing what matters
I stepped away from telecommunications for five years to focus on raising my children—one of the best decisions I ever made. When it was time to return professionally, I realized I had changed. I explored small businesses, learned new things and followed paths that didn't always lead where I expected. Today, I don't see those experiences as detours. They were paving the road.
05A new chapter
Eventually that road led me into another professional chapter, and once again I found myself doing what I have done throughout my life: learning, solving, sharing and working with people.
