Teresa Blanco, a first-generation Mexican American and vice president of the supply chain global field operations and structures at The Boeing Company, was one of the several Latinas who received awards at the 28th annual Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit over the weekend.
Her acceptance speech highlighted how growing up in a remote village without electricity, running water, and paved roads taught her to rely on community for survival and instilled in her the values of giving, mentoring and helping others.
Blanco is the first woman and first Latina senior manager to lead the Field Operations team in Japan at The Boeing Company.
Her groundbreaking achievements have paved the way for women and Latinx individuals in male-dominated industries.
Blanco is an advocate for diversity and inclusion. She actively works to increase membership and representation of Latinx and Hispanic individuals as the first Latina president of the Boeing Leadership Network.
Blanco also mentors high school students in STEM and trades education as well as the Albers School of Business at Seattle University, encouraging young women to pursue careers in STEM.
Blanco’s commitment to mentoring, empowering women, and promoting diversity demonstrates her belief in collaboration and uplifting others.
Her achievements and advocacy continue to inspire and create opportunities for future leaders. Click here for more photos from the conference.
Laura Imelda Luengo Herrero, the winner of the Professional Achievement Award, currently works as the Voice of the Customer supervisor in the Vehicle Integration team at Lordstown Motors Corporation, located in Farmington Hills, MI.
In her acceptance speech, Luengo Herrero mentioned that she started her career in Mexico over eighteen years ago and worked her way up.
Although the journey was not easy, she found it tremendously exciting.
Luengo Herrero emphasized the importance of having a clear vision and strategy and taking the time to decide where, how, and when to grow.
She also encouraged young professionals to acknowledge the power of speaking out loud and letting their brain adjust their vision.
She expressed her gratitude to her mentors, parents, husband, and daughter Sofia for their support.
Luengo Herrero brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as she oversees the Prototype Vehicle Fleet and ensures customer satisfaction through innovative engineering solutions for electrical vehicles.
She began her career in the automotive industry as a CAD engineer handling a diversity of components, including the exterior, interior trim, powertrain, and chassis developments.
Her ability to quickly grasp new concepts and communicate ideas effectively propelled her to lead the effect of various subsystems for the Endurance Vehicle.
Luengo Herrero’s dedication extends beyond her engineering expertise as she mentors university students aspiring to enter the automotive industry and encourages young girls as a STEMinista at the Michigan Science Center.
With her strong leadership, problem-solving acumen, and deep understanding of the automotive industry, Luengo has become a respected figure in her field.
Ana Lucia Ochoa Lorenzini, the global supply chain director at American Axle & Manufacturing, also received the Special Recognition Award for her outstanding contribution to the company.
With nearly 25 years of experience at AAM, she has excelled as a leader, overseeing 45 metal-forming plants in eight countries.
Ochoa Lorenzini’s guidance has achieved 100 percent customer delivery performance, and she has established a standardized PC&L strategy.
During her acceptance speech at the Leaders & Legends Breakfast event at the 28th annual Women of Color STEM Conference, Ochoa Lorenzini spoke about her long journey to get to this point in her career.
She mentioned having the best examples of resilience at home with her parents and siblings.
She also expressed gratitude to her husband and son for their constant support and motivation since they moved abroad eight years ago.
Ochoa Lorenzini is an inspirational figure, particularly for women and the Latino community, offering mentorship and earning recognition for her dedication and impactful outcomes.
She leads over 400 associates worldwide and drives improvements in manufacturing and administrative processes, transforming underperforming plants into exemplary sites of operational excellence.
Ochoa Lorenzini’s international trade background further deepens her understanding of supply chain management and global business relationships. Her fluency in Spanish and English fosters trust and respect across diverse cultures.
Corporate Responsibility: 2023 Women of Color STEM Award Winner. #wocstem https://t.co/RiP1wjPhgN
— Women of Color Magazine & Conference (@WOCTechnology) September 29, 2023
Women of Color Magazine's Women to Watch 2023 (Part 18). #wocstem https://t.co/lKTGU0Xaep
— Women of Color Magazine & Conference (@WOCTechnology) October 6, 2023
Women of Color Magazine's Women to Watch 2023 (Part 20). #wocstem https://t.co/bIcB7awwJU
— Women of Color Magazine & Conference (@WOCTechnology) October 6, 2023
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