In this episode, we explore how accelerators are shaping the future of entrepreneurship by fostering interconnected ecosystems.

Our guest, Lina Enriquez, originally from the Dominican Republic, shares insights on the "five-factor model" and how it supports tough tech founders. Lina graduated from Florida International University (FIU) in data analytics, blending her interests in human decision-making and data science. She conducted research at MIT Media Lab, gaining insights into complex systems, and participated in the NSF iCore program to commercialize university research. Currently, Lina works at the Engine Accelerator, an MIT spin-off supporting "tough tech" founders with long-term, groundbreaking technologies.

Tune in to learn how accelerators are creating holistic environments for innovation and growth.

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/linaehenriquez/

Credits Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In this episode of the Forward Thinker Show, Coral sits down with Olbin Gill, a mechanical engineering student, former president and advisor of FIU's Eco Engineering Club, regional winner of the NIFTY competition, and current Founder of Mango , a tech startup that empowers Florida's small farmers.

Recognized as one of South Florida's innovators under 25, Olbin shares his inspiring journey from Honduras to becoming a leader in sustainable engineering initiatives. They dive into the challenges and strategies of building an electric car, project management, and the role of creativity in engineering.

The conversation covers how Miami can become a sustainability hub and the importance of innovation and entrepreneurship for a greener future. Tune in for an insightful discussion on the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and creativity!

Stay Connected! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fowardthinkersshow/igsh=MXQzOHRsMDBnN2Rlcw%3D%3D TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forward.thinkersshow LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-thinkers-show/ YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ForwardThinkersShow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️ https://www.linkedin.com/in/olbin/ https://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/inno/stories/news/2024/10/04/2024-sfbj-tech-inno-under-25.html?csrc=6398&utm_campaign=trueAnthemNewContentFeed&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=linkedin

Credits Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com Disclaimer:

The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In this episode of The Forward Thinker Show, host Coral welcomes D. Colin Rocker, the "First-Gen Professional," a father, career-focused content creator, and advocate with a dedicated audience of over 380,000. Colin has collaborated with top-tier brands like Glassdoor, L'Oréal, Microsoft, and Google, and has been featured in Business Insider for his incredible journey from tech to consulting and content creation.

In this episode, Colin shares his inspiring journey—how he went from his days at the University of Georgia to becoming a successful consultant and senior manager, and now a full-time entrepreneur. Throughout, the key theme is balance—he reveals the challenges of balancing ambitious career goals, fatherhood, and life as a social media creator. Colin’s experience offers invaluable advice for those striving to achieve professional success without sacrificing personal well-being.

#TheForwardThinkerShow #FirstGenProfessional #WorkLifeBalance #Entrepreneurship #FamilyAndCareer #Consulting #TechIndustry

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️

https://colinrocker.komi.io/#8278b590-e3bd-4606-a040-87b67879ec28

Credits

Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In this episode of The Forward Thinker Show, Coral sits down with Valeria, also known as Val.java, a software engineer and rising tech influencer with over 27,000 followers. Together, they dive deep into Valeria’s journey from Peru to New York, overcoming the challenges women face in the male-dominated tech industry. Val shares practical advice on how women can break stereotypes, find their community, and thrive in tech careers. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking to advance your tech career, this episode offers actionable tips on how to thrive in a world where women are still underrepresented.

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Instagram: / igsh=mxqzohrsmdbnn2rlc...

LinkedIn: / forward-thinkers-show

YouTube: / @forwardthinkersshow

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⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️

https://linktr.ee/val.java?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Credits

Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

*Disclaimer:

The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In just two years, Robert Velasquez made an incredible transition from studying biology to landing internships at tech giants like Google, Netflix, and Zillow. In this episode of The Forward Thinker Show, Robert shares how he navigated this career switch, found his place in tech, and became a community leader at Init. If you’re wondering how to break into the tech industry, especially with a non-traditional background, this episode is for you!

Stay Connected!

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-thinkers-show/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ForwardThinkersShow

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️

https://www.linkedin.com/in/velasquezrobert/

Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In this episode of The Forward Thinker Show’ we sit down with Aidan Ouckama, a computer science student and content creator, to explore the real impact of authentic personal branding in today’s tech industry. Aiden opens up about how being true to himself on platforms like TikTok and LinkedIn not only helped him land internships at companies like DoorDash and Datadog but also made him stand out in a crowded field.

Through his personal journey, from robotics camps to creating content that resonates with others, Aiden shows us how embracing authenticity can be your superpower in tech.

If you're navigating the tech space, looking for inspiration, or wondering how to blend passion and professionalism, this episode is for you.

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Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fowardthinkersshow/igsh=MXQzOHRsMDBnN2Rlcw%3D%3D

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-thinkers-show/

YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/@ForwardThinkersShow

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aidan-ouckama

https://www.tiktok.com/@ouckah?_t=8q506YlX7Wd&_r=1

Credits

Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

**Disclaimer:*

The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

In this episode of The Forward Thinker Show, we chat with Smyvens Estime, a Solutions Architect at AWS and former Amazon intern, about his inspiring journey from Haiti to the tech world. Discover how teaching computer science, even as a high school student, sharpened his engineering skills and prepared him for a career at one of the world’s leading tech companies. Tune in for insights on how teaching can enhance your technical skills and personal growth. Stay Connected! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fowardthinkersshow/igsh=MXQzOHRsMDBnN2Rlcw%3D%3D LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-thinkers-show/ YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/@ForwardThinkersShow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw ⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️ [ add information shared by guest their LinkedIn and any pages they wanted to promote] Credits Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer Questions?: email us: forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com Disclaimer: The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.

Join us in this episode as Robert Hacker, the co-founder and director of Startup FIU, as well as an Honors College professor, imparts invaluable insights for Gen Z entrepreneurs aiming to excel in today's dynamic business landscape. Born in Syracuse New York, he has a rich background that includes scaling a 40-million-dollar company to a billion-dollar company and serving as the CFO and COO of One Laptop per Child. He's also worked at the MIT Media Lab, is a graduate of Columbia University, and has experience working at Goldman Sachs. Robert provides a unique perspective. He charts his journey from upstate New York to becoming a significant influencer in global business. He also delves into the growing role of software in businesses and the vital importance of social impact in entrepreneurship. Tune in to benefit from Robert's visionary viewpoint on marrying technology and social objectives to innovate at large.

Stay Connected!

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/fowardthinkersshow/igsh=MXQzOHRsMDBnN2Rlcw%3D%3D

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/forward-thinkers-show/

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@ForwardThinkersShow

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IMHrlejWNoF9LGF7ediDw

⭐️Resources Mentioned⭐️

Robert Hacker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roberthacker

https://roberthhacker.medium.com

Follow Startup FIU on Instagram at @startupfiu

Credits Hosted by: Coral Miniel, Founder, Host, Producer

Produced and marketed by: Pooja Lad, Executive Producer

Naween Thi Pham, Head of marketing and communications

Edited by: Coral Miniel

Questions? forwardthinkersshow@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The Forward Thinkers Show isn't affiliated with or endorsed by any organization. Any commentary done in the episodes is of the guest's/host's own will.