Khalia Padilla, CEO & Co-Founder on Influential Women

Influential Woman · Technology Space Research

Khalia Padilla

CEO & Co-Founder, Lightware Technologies

Orlando , FL

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree College (incomplete - dropped out to start technology startup) Cert NASA Certification Cert USF Certification Cert National Records Certification Cert National Archives Records Certification Member Nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching women in aerospace and preparing them for analog missions Member University of South Florida Muma College of Business Design Thinking Program (Advisor)

Her Story

About Khalia

I have been developing technologies for 10 years, and I am the CEO of a venture space agency where we develop multiple companies during the year. My typical day is very dynamic, with meetings starting at 7am until 7pm. I run daily operations, making sure that everyone is delivering on time, develop technologies and roadmaps, form groups, and basically lead the day-to-day operations of the company while guiding the vision. I'm actually a college dropout - I dropped out many years ago to start my first technology startup, which was a virtual reality startup. However, during the years, I have certified myself and hold certifications from NASA, USF, National Records, National Archives Records, and many other professional certifications that validate my skills. I always grew up as an artist and was pursuing an artistic career in college, but I really wanted to make some changes in my life, so I started to venture into technology. My work setup is hybrid - I work remote and in the office, though I also have to go out for conferences or international travel. I have the flexibility as CEO to work from home and go to the office, though most of the time I'm traveling or in meetings.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Khalia

01What do you attribute your success to?

I attribute my success to having the courage and believing in myself - having courage to go pursue the opportunities. I just started 10 years ago with no resources, and I made it to where I am today. It's just from the courage and believing in myself, pursuing opportunities, but also creating things that nobody else has done before. I try to innovate and do something different. If you're working with technology, I don't try to copy anybody else's product - I try to come out with my own idea, and just do it, just pursue it until the end.

02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say just try to innovate and do something different. If you're working with technology, don't try to copy anybody else's product - try to come out with your own idea, and just do it. Just pursue it until the end. Working in the technology field is definitely something that is not easy, but it's not impossible. As I said, I just started 10 years ago with no resources, and I made it to where I am today. It's just from the courage and believing in myself, having courage to go pursue the opportunities, but also creating things that nobody else has done before.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

My core values are definitely integrity, courage, honesty, patience, and discipline. These are the values that guide me in both my work as a CEO and in my personal life.

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