One pebble can create countless ripples—and this episode follows the journey of Jhaelen Hernandez-Eli who’s done exactly that. From Singapore to North Carolina, architecture studios to unexpected sales roles, and a decade inside a rocket-ship design firm, the path winds through public service at NYC EDC and executive leadership at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Now, that journey culminates in a new strategy practice helping nonprofits, museums, and campuses plan, fund, and deliver capital projects that truly transform communities. At the core of every chapter is one question: How can institutions be more useful? We explore themes of equity, climate resilience, and elevating new voices—all in service of creating places that matter.

Things we cover:

• Why capital projects shape public life and access
• How the Met’s $2B program advanced equity and climate priorities
• Selecting architects beyond the usual shortlist
• Lessons from sales, procurement, and negotiation
• Public service as a lever for middle-class jobs
• Salary transparency, trade-offs, and leverage
• Teaching as a platform for opening the “black box”
• Launching a mission-driven firm and curating a values-based team

Disclaimer:

The views shared on Career Cheat Code are those of the guests and don’t reflect the host or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for inspiration and information, highlighting unique career journeys to help you define success and take your next step.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe to this podcast on whatever platform you’re using, and share this podcast with your friends and your networks. For more #CareerCheatCode, visit linktr.ee/careercheatcode.
Host - Radhy Miranda
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Producer - Gary Batista
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We trace Antonio Aponte's path from Broadway actor to creative educator—and how finding the right match can mean more than chasing a big name when guiding first-gen families toward college and career success. This episode dives deep into what real opportunity looks like, from choosing the right school to unlocking financial aid, internships, and alternative career paths.

In this episode, we cover:
• Aligning students with schools that fit their goals and support systems
• Demystifying financial aid, scholarships, and affordability
• Trades and certifications as lucrative, fulfilling options
• Lessons from theater—presence, listening, and persistence
• Building social capital through mentors and alumni networks
• The SUNY Purchase pilot that boosted student retention
• Internship experiences that became long-term careers
• The story behind the Latino College Expo: how it started and where it’s headed
• Navigating post-pandemic education and virtual opportunities
• “Cheat codes” for early-career growth and confidence

🎧 Tune in, take notes, and get inspired.

Please like, rate, and subscribe to this podcast on whatever platform you’re using, and share this podcast with your friends and your networks
Make sure you follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn at Career Cheat Code and tell us people or careers you would like to see highlighted!

Disclaimer:

The views shared on Career Cheat Code are those of the guests and don’t reflect the host or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for inspiration and information, highlighting unique career journeys to help you define success and take your next step.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe to this podcast on whatever platform you’re using, and share this podcast with your friends and your networks. For more #CareerCheatCode, visit linktr.ee/careercheatcode.
Host - Radhy Miranda
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Producer - Gary Batista
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To watch on YouTube
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Tracy Colunga shares her remarkable journey from city government to founding her consulting firm Colunga and Associates LLC, highlighting how intuition guided her career transitions and how she narrowly avoided mass layoffs by trusting her gut.

• Founding Colunga and Associates LLC as a consulting firm specializing in strategic planning, innovation, user-centered design, and grants management
• Transitioning from Johns Hopkins University to entrepreneurship after sensing political changes
• Building a 16-year career with the city of Long Beach, CA that culminated as Chief Innovation Officer
• Developing the "inside-outside strategy" for community engagement and building trust
• Starting as a first-generation college student pursuing psychology before discovering social work
• Balancing single parenthood while earning a master's degree at UCLA on full scholarship
• Teaching as a university lecturer for 14 years to stay at the cutting edge of public policy
• Taking the leap to pursue a doctorate at USC while running her consulting business
• Implementing personal productivity hacks like scheduling meetings with yourself and using the Eisenhower matrix
• Discovering that government jobs offer excellent compensation, from entry-level ($65-85K) to leadership positions ($300-400K)

If you have a dream in your heart, go for it. It might be scary, but when you follow those dreams, doors will open that you never knew were possible.

Disclaimer:

The views shared on Career Cheat Code are those of the guests and don’t reflect the host or any affiliated organizations. This podcast is for inspiration and information, highlighting unique career journeys to help you define success and take your next step.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, rate, and subscribe to this podcast on whatever platform you’re using, and share this podcast with your friends and your networks. For more #CareerCheatCode, visit linktr.ee/careercheatcode.
Host - Radhy Miranda
LinkedIn
Instagram
Producer - Gary Batista
LinkedIn
Instagram
To watch on YouTube
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on TikTok
Follow us on LinkedIn