Her Story
About Carmen
Growing up with immigrant parents as an only girl, I was told women didn't really have much of a say or right, and being of ethnic origin made me just want to fit in and remain silent. Over the years, I wanted to make a difference, so I joined women's organizations like Junior League, Women in Defense, and Women in SCA, where I started mentoring women. Someone suggested I write a book, and though it wasn't on my radar, I realized I could reach so many more people. My book 'Lead with Intelligence: A Women's Guide to Thriving in the Age of AI' is now translated in Mandarin, Thai, Laos, and soon Spanish, having a worldwide impact. I've gotten speaking gigs empowering women and people in general to not be fearful of AI, including speaking at the United Nations on ethical AI. I was recently nominated as a Grammy-nominated associate producer for a project that's the sequel to The Secret 20 years later. Through my media connections and AI expertise, I help people get their voices heard and utilize AI as a tool. I conduct AI audits to help companies become more efficient, write for the LA Tribune and Forbes Business Council on AI, and teach companies to upskill rather than replace employees. I believe we're in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and we lead AI, not the other way around. My mission is empowering people to lead with AI and intelligence, making an impact through other people's voices.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carmen
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my parents, my mom. Growing up with immigrant parents who told me women didn't have much of a say, and being of ethnic origin where I just wanted to fit in and remain silent, shaped my journey. But over the years, I learned I wanted to make a difference. Now that I have a voice, I'm able to help others and coach others, including businesses, to succeed. That desire to help others and make an impact is what really feeds my soul. Seeing the success of other people, whether it's the businesses or the people I coach, that feeling is just like, wow, I'm so happy. I just don't want to see people fail.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was don't give up. As we know, we're going to stumble upon bumps, and in addition to that, get a mentor. Mentors can help you get through those tough times when you're just like, no, I can't do this, and then they're like, yes, you can. You need a coach, you need a mentor to pick you up and keep going. That's what I do as a coach too. I can see when people are like, no, but... There's also that book, 3 Feet From Gold, where people were digging for gold based on a true story, and they finally gave up. Someone else came in and took over, and literally they were 3 feet from gold. Those people that took over got the gold. That book really reinforces the message of don't give up, because you could be so close and you just don't know.
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