Latino Business Speakers Bureau: Jesus Velazquez
written by: david gomez
A chemical engineer knows the resistance of different elements and is familiar with the properties of compounds. He studies how substances change shape or form when force is applied and if, once it is removed, will they return to their original form. Can they adapt to change and maintain their integrity? Knowing how to manage change is one of the most valuable lessons that Jesus “Chuy” Velazquez gathered from his chemical engineering degree from the Tecnológico de Monterrey (Technological College of Monterrey, Mexico). Initially, he pursued his degree in metallurgic chemistry but by the time he completed his studies he found his true passion was in marketing.
Chuy serves as Head of Sales at Kraft Heinz Company for Walmart and has been a leader in many roles for global organizations including PepsiCo and Procter & Gamble. From an early point in his career, Chuy understood that he needed to make use of his success as well as his failures. When leaders have a hard time forgiving themselves for mistakes or try to avoid the memories of unpleasant shortcomings, they miss some of the most valuable lessons in leadership. Chuy makes an effort to remember the good and the bad. These experiences allow him to have a grand vision of things and make strategic decisions with ease. When most people want things to stay the same and risk very little, those who are not afraid to fail and learn from their mistakes stay ahead of the curve. In his career, Chuy learned to mitigate risks by making data-based decisions. His quantitative approach to decision making set him apart and opened doors at the international corporations where he worked. He was at the forefront of data analysis management as companies sought leaders with strong understanding of customer trends and databases.
One of the most powerful lessons that Chuy shared during our interview is the importance of finding what leaders are truly passionate about and what drives that passion. Just as one must be willing to learn from mistakes, Chuy suggests taking a self-assessment of skills and knowledge for the purpose of getting a reality check of what needs to be addressed. The important thing is to be willing to learn from the areas of vulnerability and be willing to make changes when needed.