Eileen Vélez-Vega is a trailblazing civil engineer and leader who has broken barriers throughout her career. She made history as the first woman to lead the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, bringing her expertise in transportation, resiliency, and emergency response to the forefront. A passionate STEM advocate and two-time cancer survivor, she continues to inspire the next generation—especially Latinas—by proving that perseverance and leadership can drive meaningful change.

In this episode, Wendi and Eileen discuss:

• Overcoming obstacles to become Puerto Rico’s first female transportation secretary
• Gaining engineering experience through internships at Disney and NASA
• Leading infrastructure investments and establishing a maintenance program
• Navigating resilience, self-care, and advocating for women's health awareness
• Mentoring in STEM, fostering employee accessibility, and embracing authenticity in leadership

Key Takeaways:

• A powerful message emerges about embracing challenges and conquering fears, revealing untapped potential that leads to greatness.
• Failure is reframed as a stepping stone to success, emphasizing the importance of self-care, goal-setting, and perseverance in combating imposter syndrome.
• A structured approach to achievement, where focus, preparation, and intentional planning pave the way for progress while maintaining a balance between present joy and future aspirations.
• The necessity of adaptability—expecting change, learning from setbacks, and fostering resilience through shared experiences and empathy.
• Individuals are urged to take initiative, uplift other women, build strong networks, and drive success through tenacity, commitment, and authenticity.

“I believe in self-initiative and drive—you have to have that for yourself. You cannot wait for others to care about your success. You are the one who will care the most about it, and you are the one responsible for it. Do not blame anybody else or rely on someone else to make your dreams come true. They can help you, and I have so many mentors and amazing people in my life, but you are the one who is responsible first. You're the one. And that self-initiative has to be there.” - Eileen Vélez-Vega

Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/9lEGHit19BQ

Connect with Eileen Vélez-Vega:

Website: https://www.kimley-horn.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileenmvelez-vega/ 

TEDx: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqEtJBRBc9s 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: [email protected]

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.