Episode 85 | H. Puentes, Co-Founder, President & CEO, San Diego Squared

In this excellent episode, Nancy and Jose are joined in the studio by H. Puentes, the co-founder President and CEO of San Diego Squared. Puentes started as a management consultant after grad school and worked with a tech company on a university-related project. Burnt out from constant travel, Puentes took a two-year break, during which he worked with a fraternity and found a passion for guiding young men. Later, he joined Connect, where he led community external affairs and initiated the Connect All program, the region's first diversity-focused startup accelerator.Hear Puentes emphasize his commitment to supporting underrepresented communities and discuss the challenges of authentically engaging with them. The episode also delves into San Diego Squared's mission of increasing diversity in STEM-driven companies through partnerships, programs, and financial support for high school and college students. The organization focuses on building a strong community through events like the Latino Leaders in STEM dinner, connecting ERG leaders, and fostering relationships within the industry.Puentes also elaborates on the talent development programs offered by San Diego Squared, starting with the Fellows Program for high school students, providing mentorship, and scholarships. Listen in as Puentes emphasizes the importance of human connections, stating that it's not just about throwing money at diversity in STEM but building relationships that tether individuals to the industry.An excellent episode on filling gaps in the community with H. Puentes. Here are some other takeaways from the interview:H. Puentes shares his diverse career journey, from being a management consultant to his impactful role in the fraternity and later initiating the Connect All program at ConnectH. Puentes' passion for guiding young men, emphasizing the need for more guidance and support for this demographic.San Diego Squared's mission to increase diversity in STEM-driven companies through partnerships, programs, and financial support for high school and college students.San Diego Squared's focus on building a strong community through events like the Latino Leaders in STEM dinner, connecting ERG leaders, and fostering relationships within the STEM industry.The importance of human connections in diversifying STEM, stating that meaningful relationships and industry connections are crucial for individuals to see themselves in the field.The answers to the rapid-fire questionsAn excellent interview from a passionate gap minder. Thank you, H. Puentes, for your contributions in San Diego, and for joining us on The Gap Minders.Enjoy this episode and be sure to subscribe to the show.If you have any questions or want to contact Nancy or Jose, please send an email to [email protected]. Thank you for listening.To learn more about the two social impact organizations making The Gap Minders possible, please visit www.TheGapMinders.org.