About
Creative.
Explorer.
FutureMaker.
I'm Steven. I started with a curious mind in design, marketing and sales, politics, and systems thinking, and kept finding my way back to one job: helping people who start things get further, faster, and with less wasted effort.
That job has run through startup weekends, accelerator cohorts, and founder programs in many countries. Today it shows up as revenue systems, nearshore teams, and AI habits for small firms.
The journey
Rooms I've helped build.
2025 to now
Global Entrepreneurship Network
Manager for Startups
Startup programming for a global network, matching founders with partners, mentors, and resources.
2022 to 2023
Tech Incubator at Queens College
Program Director
Directed the accelerator for diverse tech founders, one of five operators in NYC's Founder Fellowship.
2021 to 2022
New Majority Ventures (fmly 1863 Ventures)
Director of Latinx Programs
Grants, coaching, and community so New Majority businesses could recover, rebuild, and grow after COVID-19.
2019 to 2021
Techstars
Regional Manager US/Canada, Startup Programs
Supported the volunteer organizers behind Startup Weekend. Named 2020 CMX Community Professional of the Year.
Earlier
Washington, D.C. startup ecosystem
Startup Weekend, Startup Leadership Program, Techstars DC Startup Week
Weekends, cohorts, and city-wide weeks that gave first-time founders a room and a team.
How I think about AI
Three voices I keep close.
Individual AI wins don't add up to institutional intelligence on their own. These three keep me honest about the gap, and remind me what to do next.
- 1
Purpose before tools
Exponential Organizations
The ExO model starts with a Massive Transformative Purpose. AI sits inside the model as one lever, Algorithms, alongside staff on demand, community, and experimentation. Name the purpose first, then pick the algorithm.
Write the purpose down before you open a new tool.
- 2
Data first, then prompts
Christopher S. Penn, Trust Insights
Chris, co-founder and chief data scientist at Trust Insights, treats AI as a data problem before a tools problem. His RAPPEL framework (Role, Action, Prime, Prompt, Evaluate, Learn) turns a one-off chat into a repeatable process, and the 5P lens keeps the work tied to a purpose and a measure.
Prime the model with my own data, then turn what worked into a process.
- 3
Learn it by doing it
Ruben Hassid, How to AI
Ruben's advice is practical: test the tools yourself, follow exact click-by-click steps, and copy workflows that already work. That is how one person becomes the colleague everyone asks about AI.
Turn one working workflow into a reusable skill every week.
In their words
What people say.
Steven's exceptional methodical approach and wealth of knowledge made him an invaluable asset to the team. His strategic thinking and resourcefulness significantly contributed to the program's overall success.
Ying ZhouExecutive Director, Tech Incubator at Queens CollegeSteven has grown to be an amazing entrepreneur and now investor. He pays attention to detail, is very process oriented and yields positive results.
Melissa L. BradleyFounder and Board, 1863 VenturesSteven is a tried and true ecosystem builder! He has a far reach and is very hardworking. One of his strengths is bringing together a diverse set of stakeholders.
Jacqueline Ros AmableCEO & Cofounder, MaterealSteven asks questions to understand, documents his experiences, and takes action to deliver value. He shows up authentically, coordinating and collaborating all along the way.
Grant CarlileManaging Director, The MountainsSteven is one of those entrepreneurs who gets the big picture. His maturity and vision come through when faced with tough business challenges like sales and B2B growth.
Katie MillarCreative Director, Human AidThrough my lens
I take pictures every now and then.
Off the clock
Outside the work.
- 1
Roots
Raised in New York with Colombian roots. Three years in Bogotá, working remotely before it was normal, and starting a family.
- 2
At the table
Practical cooking and hosting. A good meal is still the fastest way I know to turn strangers into a team.
- 3
Always a student
I believe the meaning of life is simply to grow. Most weeks that means one more book, turned into one more field note.