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Meet 
 

Delivering learning experiences to ignite life-changing breakthroughs 

D&I Keynote Speaker | Consultant  | Coach

Recognized as a 2021 Top 15 Champion of Diversity by Diversity Global Magazine, as a Top 100 Executive Leader by Diversity MBA Magazine, and featured as an Inclusion Innovator by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM). Former Chief of Diversity and Inclusion at an 88,000 people organization with over 15 years of D&I Experience. He is a D&I Thought Leader with over a decade of experience at the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Interior (DOI), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

"For over a decade I have been relentlessly focused on executing principles of transformation – physically, mentally and organizationally." 

 

TEDx speaker, featured at the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, Telemundo, the Change Management Conference, the Human Capital Institute, the SHRM Talent Management and D&I Conferences, Fortune 500 companies, and other global organizations. Architect of D&I interventions that equip global organizations to build a captivating business case for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, exponentially increase D&I budgets and manage D&I related national scandals involving domestic terrorism, United Congress progress convenings and high-stake televised cases.

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1930

    Honoring my ancestors is important to me. My grandparents instilled powerful values. The story of my “abuelo" Jovito Salas is so inspiring to me. He used to leave the island of Puerto Rico for 6 months at a time to work at a Howard Johnson in New York to send money for primary needs. He didn’t know how to read or write, thanks to his dedication and work as a farmer he instill the values to raise a daughter that became a Doctor in Education, my aunt, and a Global Speaker, Author and Preacher, my mom. 

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1995

Sixth Grade Graduation - This was my first gig as a master of ceremonies! 

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2008

Bariatric Surgery. In December 16, 2008 I got the opportunity to live again. 

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2011

Got married to my best friend. 

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2007

     My first internship. The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) summer internship program gave me the opportunity to start my career at the Forest Service. Didn’t speak English fluently. Those were the 10 toughest and rewarding weeks of my life.

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1986

    Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. My full name is Miguel Josue Aviles Perez. My parents met while attending Job Corps, a primary residential career technical training and education program for low-income at-risk youth. My mom reminds me until this day that she spent 25 hours giving labor. Round of applause – please.

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1998

Started getting involved in several leadership positions in community organizations. This picture was taken the day we collected gifts for kids with HIV/AIDS in Estancia Corazon. 

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2009

    Got my first job as a Human Resources Specialist in Recruitment at the Department of Defense. Moved from Puerto Rico to Washington, DC permanently. 

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1986

    Graduated High-School

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2004

    Accepted in Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. Failed miserably - you can see the nervousness I get around scientific stuff - look at me sweating. 

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   2008

 Selected as a Diversity Recruiter for the Department of Defense. Discovered my passion to connect people with fantastic job opportunities. Helped over 200 peers to find jobs in different DOD components. 

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Samantha
May
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Marketing Executive

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1989

I was an only child for almost 12 years. In the meantime, my “primos” were my siblings. There is a saying that cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends. We have so many stories while growing up in San Sebastian, PR. 

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2005

    2005 Changed college programs and moved to Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Marketing. I was on fire! 

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2010

        Traveled throughout the nation as a diversity recruiter and served as a manager of the Student Training and Academic Recruitment (STAR) Program. We had student recruiters at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and universities focused in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. 

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2019

Highlighted as an Inclusion Innovator at the SHRM’s Inclusion Conference

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2021

    Recognized as a Top 15 Diversity Champion by Diversity Global Magazine

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2022

LinkedIn named me one of their Top Voices in Racial Equity.

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2020

Once again achieved a remarkable physical transformation—released my hair to its destiny 😂  and I am in the best shape I have been in decades. 

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2021

    "Retired” from Federal Service at the age of 34 to pursue my dreams. 

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2022

2022 was a record year delivering over 80 sessions. Thanks to our clients for helping us achieve lasting impact.

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2021

Awarded the Commandant’s Civilian Service Commendation Medal for Federal Service and the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation.

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2021

After spending 13 glorious years in the National Capital Region relocated to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico with my bride Michelle, my two pups Bella & Stella and a big dream to pursue a full-time career as a keynote speaker, consultant and coach. 

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2023

The year that our lives changed forever. Help us celebrate our bundle of Joy - Teddy.  

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My Story

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2005

    2005 Changed college programs and moved to Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Marketing. This picture was taken during one of the SHRM's Student Chapter events. I was on fire! 

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2012

    2012 DCELP – Graduated from the Defense Civilian Emerging Leaders Program. First experience with coaching and 360 assessments. A year after got the opportunity to become the DCELP Deputy Program Manager. Had the blessing to graduate over 200 emerging leaders from over 20 Defense Agencies and learned how to tie bowties   

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2013-2014

We rescued Bella & Stella or shall I say they rescued us :D

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2015

My first TEDx Talk – How to become a change-maker in today’s world.

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2014

Became the Deputy Program Manager of the DOD’s Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), the oldest executive leadership program in DOD’s history. Trained and learned from active duty members of the Army, Air Force, Navy and the Marines. This was the most challenging, insightful, and transformational leadership development experience I had in my career. 

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2015

    Became President of Young Government Leaders

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2019

Recognized as one of the top 100 D&I Executives by DiversityMBA Magazine

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2016

    Accepted a promotion as the Chief of Recruitment and Retention Programs at the Bureau of Land Management. In charge of the entire portfolio of Diversity and Inclusion programs and employee engagement strategies. 

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2018

    Became the first civilian Chief of Diversity and Inclusion at the US Coast Guard

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