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NextGen Collective spotlights MBA candidate Gabriel Gamez. Read on about his recent internship experience, how he’s inspired by family, and more.
Where are you from?
I’m a true Angeleno, but proud of my Guatemalan roots! I took my first steps and grew up amidst the streets of South Central Los Angeles. My parents packed their dreams in suitcases and waved goodbye to Guatemala City nearly 45 years ago and now my family calls this home.
What do you do today?
I’m entering my second year as an MBA candidate at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. This summer, I completed an unforgettable internship at Microsoft, where I served as a product manager helping shape the future of Xbox. After finishing business school next year, I aim to dive back into the tech world as a product manager. My passion lies in unlocking the potential of cutting-edge software products to foster greater inclusivity, particularly for communities that have been historically underrepresented.
Who inspired you the most in your life growing up?
My father’s back-breaking work in the banana shipping industry in Guatemala, my mother’s perseverance as a housekeeper across Los Angeles, and my brother’s continuous pursuit of greatness collectively fueled my resolve to break barriers and venture beyond my neighborhood to attend elite academic institutions like Harvard-Westlake and Cornell.
What lesson did you learn early in your career that still serves you today?
Picture a boxer who’s down but not out. That’s the spirit I embraced early on – no throwing in the towel. Stick with it, even when it seems out of reach. Whether it’s that dream job or an Ivy League application, don’t count yourself out. Throw your hat in the ring and see where it lands. Life can surprise you; sometimes it’s a knockout in your favor!
What are some of the biggest challenges you see for Latino professionals early in their careers?
For Latino professionals, it’s like walking on a high wire. You want to bring that sazón – your rich culture – to the office, but sometimes you feel like you need to blend into the gray walls. We’ve got flavor, history, and fresh takes, but sometimes corporate life can dim that inner fire. Here’s the trick: use your unique blend, believe in yourself, and know it’s a game-changer. Be you, the whole you, and watch doors swing open.
When you get a new idea what’s the first thing you do with it?
When I get a new idea, like when I saw local food businesses in Los Angeles suffering at the start of the pandemic and envisioned On The Go LA (my food truck rental startup that’s like an Airbnb for food trucks), I first do a deep dive into research. I hit the books and Google hard. Knowledge is my ammo. Once equipped with the knowledge, I reach out to industry experts for insights and practicalities, as I did by consulting a food truck owner. Next, feeling eager and excited, I take the plunge and launch a trial run (or minimum viable product), like renting an old food truck and partnering with a local restaurant for a test drive.
What behavior or personality traits do you attribute to your success?
My success is deeply rooted in empathy, fearlessness, and adaptability. My bond with my Guatemalan grandparents taught me empathy and the importance of giving a voice to the underrepresented. This, combined with my relentless determination, which saw me bridge socio-economic gaps to excel in education and sports, and my innovative spirit that led me to launch a social enterprise in On The Go LA, reveals the tapestry of traits that have been instrumental in my journey.
Which causes are you passionate about?
First, as a product manager in the tech industry, I’m devoted to shaping products that break barriers for underrepresented communities, ensuring technology serves as a bridge, not a divide. I also hope to inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs, particularly within our community. My journey with Grid110 Accelerator was transformational for my On The Go LA venture. I’m paying it forward now by partnering with TXT: Teens Exploring Technology, where I help young men of color in South Central gear up for the tech world and pitch groundbreaking ideas to investors.
What is one non-work related goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years?
I am bringing an empowering nonprofit to life, Scholar-Athletes of the Inner City (SAIC), to inspire and support high school stars in securing higher education through athletics beyond Division I schools. My journey is fueled by personal triumph as a Latino Ivy Leaguer and former high school athlete who went through the college soccer recruiting process. Through Wharton’s Nonprofit Board Fellowship program, I’m garnering the expertise to ensure that SAIC bridges the disparity between dreams and reality for countless scholar-athletes who hold the potential to shine.
What’s one thing we’d never be able to guess from your LinkedIn profile?
Though Guatemalan, my parents named me after two famous Argentinian soccer players: Gabriel Batistuta and Juan Sebastián Verón. They’ve been huge team fans of Argentina since the Diego Maradona days. Also, I started a journey to try the 38 best taco places in Los Angeles. Only 23 more to go!
