Latinos Who Tech

In this special episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Nikki Barua, Interim CEO of Latinas in Tech and serial entrepreneur. We talked about AI, leadership, legacy, and the upcoming Latinas in Tech Summit, happening May 28–30 in San Francisco, CA. If you’re in the Bay Area (or need a reason to visit), this is one to show up for.

🎯 What we covered:

• Why Nikki would love to see everyone’s zone of genius floating above their heads
• How AI isn’t just a threat, it’s an invitation to reinvent ourselves
• The role of positive peer pressure in upskilling and growth
• What makes the Latinas in Tech Summit feel like a career accelerator and a family reunion
• Concrete ways men and allies can show up, sponsor, and support Latina talent in tech
• How Nikki uses AI as a thinking partner for complex decisions
• Tips on energy management, introversion, and building real human connection in a digital world

🎟️ Learn more and register for the summit:

👉 https://latinasintechsummit.org/

🌐 Nikki’s Website:

👉 https://www.nikkibarua.com/

🤝 Connect with Nikki Barua

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkibarua/

🎧 Connect with Hugo Castellanos

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos/

🗣️ Would you like to connect with other Latinos in Tech?

🔗 Join our virtual and in-person meetups here: https://lwt-email.kit.com/dc00e0ddde

This conversation is packed with insight and practical advice for anyone thinking about their next move, curious about AI, or looking to feel more connected in their tech career. If you’re on the fence about attending the summit, this is your sign. Show up. You never know who you’ll meet in the coffee line.

We made it to episode 50! Thank you for sticking around.

I share the story of why I left a very lucrative, very toxic, tech job, some perspective from having achieved my FIRE number, my personal values, and how I like to make career decisions at this point of my life.

It’s been 1.5 years since I left that corporate gig, and I find myself so much at peace right now. Walking the Camino de Santiago in May 2022 was instrumental to reconnecting with myself and my values, I do recommend it if you ever have to overcome any major life changes OR if you honestly enjoy long walks with your thoughts :)

Will this be the last season of Latinos Who Tech? I honestly, don’t know. I DO know that I love making podcasts and connecting with tech professionals like you.

I started hosting meetups virtually and in-person with other Latino professionals and I find it incredibly rewarding.

You can find out when the next virtual meetup will be by joining my mailing list. https://lwt-email.ck.page/1fc5dbebbc

## Show Notes

– Join my mailing list to find out about virtual meetups (and other projects). No spam, ever. https://lwt-email.ck.page/d3749616a6

– Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos/

– Twitter https://twitter.com/HugoCast_

## Resources

– How to retire forever on a fixed chunk of money

– https://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2018/11/29/how-to-retire-forever-on-a-fixed-chunk-of-money/

– Book: I will Teach you to be Rich:

– https://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Be-Rich/dp/0761147489

– Course: Finding a fulfilling career with “What color is your parachute?”

– https://www.udemy.com/course/the-eparachute-introduction-to-your-career-and-job-search/

– LWT Episode: “How to retire before 40 (by working in STEM)”

– https://player.captivate.fm/episode/0532d338-2148-4446-a7fb-c7755032c66c

In this episode we spoke with Gino Ferrand. Founder @ TECLA a company that helps tech professionals in LATAM get the tools they need to work with U.S. companies remotely.

Sign up for our meetup in Salt Lake City during the SHPE 2023 Conference:

https://forms.gle/Eg2pz58udkS2CVN59

Sign up for our online speed networking meetups here:

https://lwt-email.ck.page/1fc5dbebbc

Do you enjoy this kind of format? Let me know your thoughts via LinkedIn clicking here

What content do you want to hear in the podcast? Fill out this 2 minute survey and let me know clicking here

Do you want to attend virtual speed networking meetups with other latinos in tech? Sign up for our mailing list right here

## Connect

Connect with Hugo Castellanos https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos

Full transcript of episode available at LatinosWhoTech.com

What content do you want to hear in the podcast? Fill out this 2 minute survey and let me know 👉🏼 https://forms.gle/FKHU7VHeQ9hyGFNL9

Do you want to attend virtual speed networking meetups with other latinos in tech? Sign up for our mailing list right here

## Connect

Connect with Hugo Castellanos https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos

Connect with Monica Perez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-perez-b0593731

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For feedback or business inquiries reach out to hello @ latinoswhotech.com

If you enjoy this content and want to support, you can buy me a coffee: [https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocast…](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa28yWFI1dkdyM1RnaXF3YmtscWIwYlQ4UkZiZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuUTB1ZjJiakJ0UDZOSjF2Z05LVFozMkdsN0JUcUpNNThXX1NHeGJkTEdsaFBBb0NNcDJySllseGdUVjVlek04Nmh6Q1RaOXFGNVp0WmVJUDlYM3hWa3ZvcDBiN0FUY0doajVtS1A1WjdfdWdpRm15Yw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.buymeacoffee.com%2Fhugocastellanos&v=qSS_hxLRe-A)

In this episode we spoke with Gabriel Golczer-Gatti, PhD about his experience going to graduate school at Tufts University, choosing a career in industry instead of academia, the day to day of a data scientist on a biotech startup and his volunteer work for the Universidad Simon Bolivar Alumni Association of America Inc.

## SHOW NOTES

For feedback or business inquiries reach out to hello @ latinoswhotech.com

If you enjoy this content and want to support, you can buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocastellanos

For Feedback or Questions, you can reach out to me via LinkedIn. I read every message. https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos

Sign up for our mailing list: https://lwt-email.ck.page/d3749616a6

Connect with Dr. Golczer-Gatti: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ggolczer/

Support AlumnUSB’s cause: https://alumnusb.org/es/becas/

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocastellanos

For feedback or business inquiries reach out to hello @ latinoswhotech.com

Connect with Hugo Castellanos: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugocastellanos

Connect with Kevin Sandoval: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksandovaldev/

—

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Fill out our survey on future topics for the podcast: https://forms.gle/fyzqrAREgFTTBHik9

Join our Discord: https://conexiones.captivate.fm/discordyt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinoswhotech/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinos-who-tech/

Check us out on YouTube: https://latinos-who-tech.captivate.fm/listen

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocastellanos

For feedback or business inquiries reach out to hello @ latinoswhotech.com

Follow Us:

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Follow Stephanie:

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

Stephanie’s website: https://www.stephanieaceves.com/

How to break into Cyber Security https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DI13Btw42jg&ab_channel=It%27sStephAceves

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Discord: https://conexiones.captivate.fm/discordyt

Check us out on YouTube: https://latinos-who-tech.captivate.fm/listen

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocastellanos

For feedback or business inquiries reach out to hello @ latinoswhotech.com

***Disclaimer*** : I used the wrong settings for my mic, so the audio wasn’t the highest quality, my apologies. Luis’s audio worked out great though. Thank you for your patience :)

Follow Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinoswhotech/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinos-who-tech/

Follow Hugo:

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

Sign up for our mailing list: https://lwt-email.ck.page/d3749616a6

Follow Luis:

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

Ask for future topics: https://forms.gle/fyzqrAREgFTTBHik9

Discord: https://conexiones.captivate.fm/discordyt

Check us out on YouTube: https://latinos-who-tech.captivate.fm/listen

Buy me a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hugocastellanos

Follow Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latinoswhotech/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latinos-who-tech/

Follow Hugo:

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

Follow Natalie:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marquez-solorzano

Ask for future topics: https://forms.gle/fyzqrAREgFTTBHik9

Discord: https://conexiones.captivate.fm/discordyt

Listen to the Audio Version: https://latinos-who-tech.captivate.fm/listen