Dr. Isaac Rodriguez is on the SHPE Board of Directors, has a PhD in biomedical engineering, and about ten years ago started a medical device company with his sister that's now raised over ten million dollars. In this episode we get into what it actually takes to go from a lab idea to an FDA-cleared product, how he raised over ten million dollars as a first-time founder, why not knowing the answers is part of the process, and how their product ended up saving someone's life. We also talk about what SHPE is building on the entrepreneurship side for members who want to explore that path.EntrepeneurSHPE LinkedIn Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/15578021/

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We are kicking off 2026 with a conversation on leadership, resilience, and the power of community. In this episode, we sit down with Karen Horting, Executive Director and CEO of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).

Karen shares her personal journey from working in the corporate paint industry to leading a global non-profit organization. She opens up about the reality of career paths and offers advice on how to navigate the ups, downs, and lateral moves that shape our professional lives.

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Episode Description

In this episode of SHPE Out Loud, we sit down with Giordano "Gio" Benitez Torres, the North America Quality Coordinator at Lenovo. Gio takes us from his roots in Panama to his current role as a "computer detective," where he solves high-stakes engineering issues for users around the globe.

We discuss how a lack of access to new hardware led him to mod his gaming console, sparking a lifelong passion for tech and learning English along the way. Gio also opens up about the resilience required to navigate setbacks and the persistence that eventually landed him his dream job.

Plus, we dive into Lenovo’s culture, from foldable screens to sponsoring F1 and the World Cup. Gio also shares crucial advice for members heading to Convention.