“The First, But Not the Last: How Tech, Courage, and Community Change Everything”
💻 1. Tech is a Tool — But Also a Bridge
- You don’t need to be perfect or have a perfect background to start.
- Learning to code taught me how to think and how to learn how to learn.
- Tools like Python, TensorFlow, and now Gemini and Generative AI can create real impact — especially when placed in the hands of those who’ve been excluded.
Lesson: Tech is more than skill — it’s a language of opportunity.
💪 2. Courage Opens Doors — Even Before You Feel Ready
- I didn’t feel ready when I studied abroad. But stepping into new, unfamiliar spaces helped me grow.
- Saying “Yes and yes” — yes, I’m sure, and yes, it’s hard — is how you move forward.
Lesson: You don’t have to wait to be ready. You grow by showing up.
🤝 3. Community Makes Growth Sustainable
- From organizing meetups in Bolivia to training thousands online during the pandemic — community changed everything.
- I saw firsthand how leadership means creating opportunities for others.
- Through partnerships (like Coursera or US Embassy projects), we created ripples of impact — people training others in their towns and villages.
Lesson: You go further when you grow with others.
🌎 4. The GDE Program Amplifies What You’re Already Building
- GDE didn’t just give me recognition. It gave me tools, knowledge, mentorship, and a global network.
- It helped me take my work beyond Bolivia, beyond Spanish-speaking audiences — and beyond what I thought was possible.
- It taught me that impact is not just about what I can build — it’s about what we can build, together.
Lesson: Being part of GDE transforms your individual spark into collective impact.
💡 5. Being “The First” Comes with Responsibility — and Power
- I was the first woman in Bolivia to become a GDE in AI.
- But the real success is making sure I’m not the last.
- I now focus on making AI more accessible for underrepresented communities.
Lesson: Don’t wait for a role model. Be one — so others don’t have to be the first alone.
🗣️ Final Reflection / Call to Action:
How are you amplifying your voice and your impact?
How are these programs helping you grow — and lift others up?
Who can you help become “the first,” but not the last?
🔑 Key Lessons from My Talk at the GDE Summit 2025 was originally published in Google Developer Experts on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
