GlobalMindED is an Inclusive Success Network^TM dedicated to creating a capable diverse talent pipeline, closing the equity gap for women and people of color, and connecting underrepresented/ underserved students to role models, mentors, internships, and jobs.

Juan Torres, Associate Laboratory Director, Energy Systems Integration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) bravely forges a path through STEM ascendancy, creating opportunities for himself and others. We are honored to share his inspiring story with you as one of the fifteen winners of 2024.

Meet Juan and all 15 Inclusive Leader Award winners in Denver on June 17th at the Inclusive Leader Awards dinner, which kicks off our 10th anniversary conference on June 18-19.

I arrived in the U.S. at the age of four from Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. My parents were uneducated, but intent on building a better life for our family. As the eldest of four children, I watched my parents struggle to support us, instilling persistence and a strong work ethic in me. Although they could not offer career advice, my parents knew the key to achieving the American dream was education. I was the first in my family to graduate from high school and college. With little guidance or mentoring, I attended several schools, eventually completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Electronics Engineering Technology from the University of Southern Colorado (currently CSU Pueblo).

During my junior year of college, Sandia National Laboratories visited the USC campus. I was intrigued by Sandia’s amazing technical work and motivated by its sense of purpose, but I was disappointed by the fact that I did not qualify for any positions because I was not a U.S. citizen. This motivated me to obtain my citizenship, and I was offered a position at Sandia upon graduation. My career at Sandia spanned 27 years during which I completed a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering at the University of New Mexico, completed additional graduate studies at Stanford University, and had the opportunity to work on groundbreaking and impactful projects in defense, international nonproliferation, homeland security, cybersecurity, power systems, and renewable energy.

In 2017 I retired from Sandia to take a position as Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Systems Integration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where I now oversee research in power systems, cybersecurity, and systems analysis. In this role, we are transforming and securing energy for the nation and influencing how energy is used globally. I am truly blessed to have worked with many brilliant people on some of the nation’s most challenging energy and security problems.

As a poor immigrant, my lack of privilege and rights was clear to me. Gaining citizenship opened many doors and I have since been driven to give back to the country that has given so much to me while also inspiring and mentoring others to use their gifts and apply hard work to pursue their dreams. My passions in art, science, and math led me to consider careers where I could apply my creativity through STEM.

Maximizing your impact starts with understanding your strengths and passions. I have been fortunate to have had many supporters and mentors throughout my life to help me understand this. From my parents and grandmother who always encouraged me, to my wife who stood next to me through everything, to many mentors in my education and career. I also sought out challenging assignments and worked on emerging topics with high consequences. Specifically, the areas where renewable energy and security intersect are where I’ve been able to plow new ground and make a difference.

Inclusive leadership means enabling others to use their talents, experience, and skills to achieve a common goal while leveraging the strength of their differences. I believe in the servant-leader philosophy where my role is to inspire and support my team so they can bring their best. I would especially like others to understand that as leaders one of our responsibilities is to develop future leaders. This requires building mutual trust and allowing our team to take smart risks so they can learn and grow without fear when they make mistakes. As leaders, we must serve as role models in walking the talk and demonstrating inclusive behavior.

GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network^TM provides a platform to share our inspirational stories, make role models more visible, and demonstrate the importance of diversity and inclusion at great organizations like Sandia and NREL. Studies have shown that the most innovative organizations are the most diverse. As research laboratories, innovation and diversity are key to our success.

I would like to be known as a leader who built effective, trusting teams while tackling some of the world’s most difficult challenges. I would also like to be remembered as a role model for immigrant and first-generation STEM students, especially those coming from limited socioeconomic backgrounds.

GlobalMindED’s 10^th Anniversary Conference

Register to bring a first gen student.

The 10th annual conference in Denver will gather national thought leaders across sectors including education, business, health, policy, tech, and more. If you have never been to a GlobalMindED event, you will be in for a treat, as this year will be a reunion for many of our graduates, speakers, and Inclusive Leader Award winners who have been honored throughout the years. 

Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).

GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org