In this episode of the Strong Conversations Podcast – Building the Brands Series, host Sam Marcoux speaks with Roberto Ortiz & Winnie Sullivan, the leadership team at DCSE Associates. Their career paths were anything but typical—Roberto started his career as an intern, Winnie as a part-time receptionist—yet today, they lead the company as CEO and CFO.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

- Roberto’s journey from immigrating to the U.S. at 15, learning English, and building a career in structural engineering

- Winnie’s rise from the front desk to financial leadership, driven by ambition and a desire for impact

- How Roberto balanced studying for his SE exam while caring for his premature newborn in the NICU

- The importance of company culture and why transparency builds trust

Winnie’s decision to donate a kidney to a colleague and what it says about leadership and community

Ortiz and Sullivan didn’t just take over a company—they transformed it, preserving its culture while building something new. Their insights into leadership, perseverance, and teamwork offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating career growth or business ownership.