HITEC recognizes Capital One tech leaders to inspire others

Updpated Decemper 7, 2023

Year over year, it would seem that the technology industry is booming in the United States like never before according to a  2023 study from World Economic Forum. Yet, Hispanics have long been underrepresented in the industry, according to a 2021 Pew Research Study, with only three to five percent Hispanic representation at the executive level.

Capital One’s Dave Castillo (MVP and Leader of the Center for Machine Learning) and Mike Garcia (VP of Stability and Site Reliability Engineering) are helping to combat challenges, celebrate successes, and inspire other Hispanics within the industry. 

This year, the Hispanic Information Technology Executive Council (HITEC) Leadership—an organization whose mission is to celebrate and increase Hispanic executive representation in technology—has honored both Dave and Mike for working hard to develop the next generation of leaders. Here, they shared stories of how they are helping to inspire other Hispanics and maintain Capital One as an inclusive place for all associates.

With a strong statistical modeling, deep learning and explainable AI background, Dave has worked at many large technology-focused companies where the Human Resources department was the singular channel to broach the topic of diversity and inclusion. But once Dave came to Capital One, he immediately saw that diversity and inclusion was embedded into the company culture. 

At Capital One, Dave champions supervised and deep learning ML solutions. By collaborating with academic and industry leaders, he enhances fairness in financial services, leading to innovative use cases like credit monitoring and fraud detection. This commitment highlights the significance of Hispanic representation in tech, as Dave continuously pushes for ethical advancements.

In his spare time, Dave mentors at high schools and colleges where he encourages students, particularly of Hispanic descent in rural areas similar to where he grew up, to fully embrace the courses made available for them. At a time when 17 percent of all Hispanic Grade 8 students passed Algebra 1 nationally, according to a 2015-2016 U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights data, Dave’s executive status serves as an inspiration for young Hispanics to strive upwards.

Dave’s own love for math began as a young kid growing up in a copper mine town in southern Arizona, 40 miles from the Mexican border. The single-industry town kept his father employed at the mine, while his mother worked as a bookkeeper. His parents had the farsightedness to understand that the mines would one day become depleted so they steered Dave and his siblings to love math so that they could have distinct choices with their careers. 

Now Dave offers the same advice to younger generations, pointing out that a math foundation could help people evolve more quickly in the fast-changing world of AI and ML. 

Dave says.

Dave says, pointing to words of wisdom given by a close friend who passed away. 

For much of his professional working career, Mike has considered himself “counterculture” in part due to forces beyond his control. Often one of a handful of Hispanic tech workers, Mike was cognizant of being an outsider trying to fit into a company’s culture—an analogy he likens to being a foreign substance triggering an immune system response. 

Having built the muscle to adapt to changing work environments, Mike’s experience has made him a strong champion of bringing the authentic self to the workplace and making sure employees have a personal “why” for coming to work. As a tech executive, Mike oversees teams going through numerous iterations and exercises to ensure site resilience so that customers aren’t impacted by network and software issues. 

 Mike says.

As someone who grew up in a bicultural and bilingual household, Mike continues to make sure that his children see life through that lens. He and his family go to Mexico twice a year to ensure the family is steeped in both cultures. Additionally for the past four years or so, Mike has served as an inspirational speaker for English as a Second Language student attending northern Virginia-area high schools. 

Mike says, explaining that rarely have his students been able to name a Hispanic leader who has made an impact in the last 100 years.

During his speaking engagements with students, Mike provides three tips for future technologists:

• Learn a programming language

• Read up on the AI and ML disciplines

• Learn cyber technologies—especially encryption—as this area will become more complex as you get into quantum computing

Through these mentor-mentee relationships, Mike says that he wants to leave students with the gift of knowing who they are and are on track to becoming future leaders who are authentic, empathetic and logical.  Most of all, he hopes that his presence serves as a physical embodiment that differences make people stronger. 

The stories of Dave Castillo and Mike Garcia are a testament to the powerful influence Hispanics have in shaping the tech industry. Their journey not only speaks to the resilience and determination of the Hispanic community, but also to the broader necessity for inclusivity and representation. 

The diverse backgrounds and experiences of Hispanic tech leaders like them pave the way for innovative solutions, unique perspectives and a richer work culture.

As the tech landscape continues to evolve, the influence of Hispanic professionals will undoubtedly grow, lending their insights, skills and unique experiences to shape the future. With companies like Capital One acknowledging and celebrating this rich tapestry of talent, the tech industry will only stand to gain.

Are you inspired by these stories and looking to make a mark in the tech world? Join a community that values diversity and inclusivity. Explore opportunities with Capital One.