Home: Washington, DC and Austin, TX. Age: Young at heart. Birthplace: Mexico. Profession: I help companies leverage data and technology to drive business growth. Organization: IDB Invest. Title: Chief of Analytics and IT Division. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: My soul mate, Mike McCanlies. Alma mater: Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico (MBA and BS, Computer Science). Languages spoken: Spanish and English.
Current project: Digital transformation. Recent recognition: 2022 CIO 100 Innovation Award. Latest contribution to others: Supporting social tech funders at The Whisper Company. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Marrying my husband three months after we met. Recent travel or adventure: Hiking the Copper Canyon in Mexico. Recently viewed and recommended: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, starring Nicolas Cage. It’s surprisingly funny.
Personality profile: Passionate, driven, relator, curious, with an insatiable love for learning. Moral compass: Treat others the way you want to be treated. What is your greatest joy? Getting together with my family, cooking, having wine and playing games. What is your guilty pleasure? A glass of Bordeaux wine with foie gras and Mt Tam cheese. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Geopolitical strategist. What is at the top of your bucket list? Hiking in la Patagonia. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Mountains.
What three emojis best describe you? 😄🥾💪.
What was your favorite college course? Operations Research and Statistics. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Hidden Figures. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Enabling change through the art of Nemawashi. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Telemedicine. What is your favorite app? Garmin-Connect. I love doing the Challenges. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Go out walking or jogging and listen to Tim Ferris podcast. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? When man landed on the moon. I know it’s long ago, but it left a mark on my life.
What change would you like to see in the world? Where women have the right to choose their destiny. What mega-trend most excites you? Medical extended reality, prescription-strength gaming and blockchain. What mega-trend most concerns you? Space sustainability and climate change.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Looking Beyond the Horizon. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Julia Roberts. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My brother, he died too young. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A scientist or an archeologist. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Our paintings. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? High school.
Personal mission: To help others grow in their careers and find their voice. Personal motto: Stay away of energy vampires; life is so precious and time is finite. Favorite quote: “There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women” (Madeleine Albright). Desired epitaph: You are never too old to find awe and wonder in life; Laura lived for those moments.
