Sylvia Acevedo, Engineering Two Solutions

As a Girl Scout selling cookies, Sylvia Acevedo was taught by her troop leader to be adaptable, persistent, and inventive—to never lose sight of a sale until she’s heard “no” three times.

That early lesson informed the NASA alum and former Girl Scouts CEO to bring two solutions into a room: the one that everyone expects, and the one that innovates.

Growing up in New Mexico, Acevedo discovered her track to engineering early on thanks to an aptitude for science and math. It was during that nontraditional path—one in which she was forced to battle otherness as a young Latina engineer—where she discovered how to cleverly create possibility for herself while simultaneously finding common ground with peers.

Today, she imparts her knowledge as an engineering trailblazer to the Latino and greater business communities, thanks in part to public speaking opportunities and claiming seats at the tables of corporate boards. For Acevedo, it’s never been about whether or not Latinos are in the game. We are. It’s always about how we can add value.