"I Am an Architect of Growth" is a series spotlighting changemakers in the technology industry who are driving innovation and championing inclusion - in their own words. Today, we hear directly from Miriam Hernandez-Kakol, HITEC Board Chair and a leader whose career has spanned business, technology, and consulting. She shares her journey, leadership philosophy, and the lessons that have shaped her approach to deliver business growth, product innovation and collaborative teams with a culture of excellence.
In what way do you see yourself as an architect of growth?:
- Taking risks in my career that resulted in launching and growing profitable businesses on a large scale
- Driving innovative products and services to help clients achieve their business goals
- Building inclusive and successful teams
- Giving Back: Empower others to become architects of growth
Taking Risks & Embracing Fearlessness
On embracing risk and overcoming doubt, Miriam says:
"Throughout my career, I’ve taken big leaps moving across the country to join the Bell Labs spinout, Bell core, pushing myself at Carnegie Mellon, stepping into leadership roles before I felt 100% ready. With the encouragement of mentors in my youth, I have always felt that I have the skills, intelligence, and determination, and with the right team around me, I will figure it out and deliver results.
"I have been asked before, do you experience imposter syndrome? Maybe when I was very young but after 25, I knew I could do anything I set my mind to. I never focused on being the only woman or Latina in the room. Instead, I focused on the work and its potential impact, and that mindset has kept me fearless.
“This mindset has helped me envision and launch new products and services whether at the Labs or at KPMG. It helps me to see what is needed to transform a business and what strategy will lead to change. It has taught me how to join with others, determined to move forward.”
The Key to Sustainable Growth: Drive Action and It Is Always About the Client
"Innovation and growth require bold decisions and a culture of learning. Being an active listener is key to understanding what is needed by the market, by your clients, by your organization. The most satisfying, and lasting, outcomes in my career have followed a period of learning about an industry, a business problem, a leadership dilemma. And yes, also learning from failures, understanding what can be done better, differently to achieve the expected outcomes. Mastering dynamics at work and imagining solutions that can solve for the long term. Whether it was a software product to meet a changing regulatory environment, an approach to Tech implementation that was business first, tech next, or a strategic viewpoint that put customers first, I have believed that starting the change just ahead of the market leads to the best results. I believe that I have always had “an architect of growth” mentality. That is why this resonates with me."
Scaling Businesses Through Collaborative Teams & Giving Real Time Feedback
Miriam shares how her upbringing shaped her leadership approach:
"My mother always said, ‘It takes a big tent to raise a family,’ and she lived that belief - relying on neighbors, coworkers, and community members to help her navigate a world she didn’t yet understand. That lesson stuck with me.
"In business, I’ve always believed that the best teams come from different perspectives, and that magic happens when you bring together talented, motivated individuals who challenge and push each other. It’s not just about hiring diverse talent - it’s about identifying talent and giving opportunities, even when they don’t think they’re ready. I once offered a leadership role to a woman pregnant with her third child to take the next step in her career and lead a team. I told her, ‘I believe you can do this, but only you can decide if you want it.’ She took the job and thrived.
"Leadership requires honest, constructive feedback. People need both encouragement and accountability to grow. I push my teams to take calculated risks and when they succeed, I celebrate them. When they fail, I don’t enable excuses or blame I ask, ‘What did you learn, and how will you grow from it?’
"I still have former team members who call me for advice because they know I’ll be direct and honest, supporting them to be at their best. I lead with empathy because I haven’t forgotten what it was like to struggle—as a young girl learning English, asa Latina in rooms where I was the only one who thought like me. I am driven to motivate others to take risks and succeed."
A Career Built on Giving Back
"After a career dedicated to scaling businesses, driving innovation, and mentoring future leaders, I currently serve as an independent board director across three different industries with a responsibility to govern company strategy, innovation and talent retention to preserve shareholder value. In addition, I serve on three not for profit Boards - the LPGA Foundation, HITEC, and LCDA Boards- organizations that align with my passion for fostering leadership and opportunity.
"That passion comes from my own journey. From a young, Mexican immigrant to a senior executive, I know firsthand the power of perseverance and community. My mother’s vision, hard work and resilience inspired me to a career and a life I otherwise could not have imagined, and now, my mission is to be a catalyst for others to achieve their ambitions"
Defining My Blueprint for Growth
When asked to define her career journey in a few words, Miriam shares:
✅ Vision &Fearlessness – Taking bold risks, pushing boundaries, andstaying focused on the bigger picture.
✅ Diverse Teams on EveryFront – Bringing together different perspectives and talents to driveinnovation and growth
✅ Compassion & Community –Leading with empathy and building a "big tent" where everyone has the opportunity they need to thrive.
✅ Catalyst for Change – Empowering others to grow, lead, and achieve their ambitions—no matter what they are.
"At the heart of it all, my greatest passion is empowering others to be their best selves and chase their ambitions—whether it’s leading a company or choosing to be a stay-at-home parent. Growth comes in many forms, and my mission is to help architect theirs."
