From a Small Town in Puerto Rico to the Space Camp Hall of Fame,
Eileen M. Velez-Vega Is Just Getting Started
In 1996, a tenth-grade girl from Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, had a dream that was bigger than her family’s budget. To get to Space Camp, she sold chocolates. She sold cakes. Her parents set up a table at the town’s Christmas festival and sold bacalaitos. She went.
Twenty-eight years later, in July 2024, Eileen M. Velez-Vega became the first Puerto Rican ever inducted into the Space Camp Hall of Fame. At the induction ceremony, there was a tribute video from her loved ones, her colleagues, and the Governor of Puerto Rico. Her husband and her daughter were by her side. The nomination came from a former NASA colleague, a friendship she has maintained for more than twenty years.
That is who Eileen M. Velez-Vega is. A girl from a small town with big dreams who never stopped showing up, and who has spent a lifetime proving what is possible when faith, courage, and perseverance are not just values but a way of life.
Eileen is a civil engineer, a former Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works, a cancer survivor, a NASA intern turned Space Camp Hall of Famer, and a Harvard Kennedy School executive leadership student finishing her certification this April. She is currently back at Kimley-Horn in Puerto Rico, where she works on expanding the firm’s reach across the Caribbean and Latin America. Connect with her on LinkedIn or watch her induction story at the link in her profile.
As we continue our Women’s History Month features, what follows is a glimpse into the mind, faith, and unstoppable upward action of Eileen M. Velez-Vega.
Her favorite place in the world
I have so many favorite places in the world, but I would select CopaMarina Resort in Guánica, Puerto Rico. I have been visiting for the last 20 years with my husband on special occasions and even when our daughter was born and every time we have special occasions. It’s also very near to my hometown of Sabana Grande so I get to invite my mom and dad to join us when we visit. It’s peaceful, private and it allows me to reset from the busy routine.
The moment she chose courage over comfort
Choosing courage over comfort became very real for me when I accepted the position of Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works in December 2020.
It was not a decision driven by personal gain or convenience; in fact, it required stepping away from a life that was professionally stable and personally protected.
I knew from the outset that accepting the role would place me under intense public and political scrutiny and require sacrifices that would affect not only my career, but my family and my sense of privacy.
The cost was real and ongoing. I lost privacy, financial comfort, and the ability to disengage at the end of the day. I also had to develop a much thicker skin, learning to navigate criticism that was not always constructive or fair. Despite the cost, I do not regret the choice.
What a day in her life looks like
A typical day in my life is fast‑paced and highly collaborative. Much of my time is spent in meetings and strategy sessions focused on preparing proposals for new projects and expanding into new markets. I do a significant amount of public speaking, presenting at schools, camps, events and I travel to local and national conferences, which requires ongoing preparation and thoughtful messaging.
In parallel, I support the Kimley‑Horn Puerto Rico office with project pursuits, networking efforts, and project‑specific questions, often related to permitting, regulatory processes, or agency engagement.
No matter how full my calendar is, I start my day by taking my daughter to school. This is something I also did throughout my four years as Secretary, and it remains one of the most grounding and important parts of my day.
The belief about women and leadership she is ready to say out loud.
One belief I hold about women and leadership that the world isn’t quite ready to hear is that the “boys’ club” still very much exists, and women are often penalized simply for showing the same traits that are celebrated in men.
Our passion is too often labeled as being “too emotional” or “too feisty,” rather than recognized as commitment, urgency, or conviction.
I didn’t arrive at this belief abstractly; I lived it firsthand during my tenure as Secretary and in other roles I’ve had throughout my 23 years in the engineering industry.
In particular, in the role of Secretary, I was the first woman ever appointed to lead the DOT in its 70+ years; speaking up, being decisive, and holding firm to standards were not always interpreted as leadership. Instead, assertiveness could quickly become “difficult to work with,” and persistence could be reframed as inflexibility.
I also believe women leaders are frequently set up for disappointment, not because we fall short, but because the expectations placed on us are unrealistically high. It’s also my experience that we can be intimidating just for showing up which can offend some men’s egos without us being conflictive or rude.
What she keeps coming back to that grounds her when everything feels uncertain.
When everything feels uncertain, I come back to two anchors: faith and perseverance, personally, and intention and relationships, professionally.
On a personal level, I continue to pray and trust in a higher purpose. I have faith that by doing the right thing, acting with fairness, and leading with good intentions, my life will ultimately be guided in the right direction.
I’ve faced many moments of doubt, exhaustion, and uncertainty, but I keep showing up. I keep praying. I persevere. I don’t give up. I choose to be brave and hopeful, even when the path forward isn’t clear. Daily, I repeat Psalm 23, and I often remind myself of Esther 4:14.
Professionally, what grounds me is a deep belief in self‑initiative and in the power of human connection. I make a point of building and maintaining strong relationships with the people I meet, asking questions, listening, and saying thank you. I communicate my goals and objectives clearly because I believe that if I want something, I should be willing to vocalize it.
This way, when the right moment or opportunity arises, I’ve already done the work to be prepared and to be considered.
The shift in her field that genuinely excites her
What genuinely excites me right now is the convergence of global reach, innovation, and purpose in the work I do.
I restarted my career in private industry on February 3, 2025, when I returned to Kimley‑Horn in Puerto Rico, and it has been energizing to reengage with the firm at a moment when it is intentionally prioritizing work in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Being included in these efforts is meaningful to me, especially as it allows me to reconnect more deeply with the Caribbean region and to contribute to international projects, particularly in aviation, an area that has long inspired me.
At the same time, Puerto Rico itself is experiencing a shift that truly excites me: the growth of the aerospace industry. Ever since my experience as a NASA intern at the Marshall Space Flight Center, I have wanted to contribute to this field in a meaningful way.
I’m also energized by the rapid evolution of AI and automation in transportation. The potential impact on project delivery and construction, through improved efficiency, better decision‑making, prediction, and safer outcomes, will be transformative.
The failure that quietly changed everything
One experience that had a surprisingly positive impact on my life came from what initially felt like a profound personal and professional failure, even though, in truth, it was a major disruption rather than a mistake.
In 2010, at the age of 29, I was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma while I was five months pregnant with my first and only daughter. Overnight, everything I had worked toward came to a halt. I had to stop working abruptly and transition my clients and responsibilities to my coworkers.
For someone who had always defined herself by independence, and achievement, losing control over my body, my schedule, and my career felt like a failure of identity.
Over the next several years, I went through multiple rounds of chemotherapy and clinical trials, including a stem cell transplant, and nearly four years focused solely on regaining my health. Nothing about that period resembled the life I had carefully built.
That disruption forced me to reevaluate my priorities in ways I never would have chosen voluntarily. While undergoing treatment, I was present for moments with my newborn daughter that I might have otherwise rushed through or postponed.
My daughter is now 15 years old and she’s my miracle baby.
The advice she would give her younger self
The piece of advice I needed ten years ago, and the one I would now give to a woman just starting out, is to trust herself sooner. To have self‑confidence even before the gray hairs, the titles, or what others might consider a “career that’s ready to lead.”
You do not need permission, age, or decades of experience to be capable of leading and doing big things. If you are prepared, committed, and willing to work hard, you already belong at the table.
I would also tell her not to underestimate the power of networking. Relationships matter, far more than we are often taught early in our careers. Building genuine connections, asking questions, learning from others, and staying visible create opportunities that no resume alone can. Dream big, say your goals out loud, and don’t shrink them to fit what feels safe or expected.
Most importantly, I would remind her to trust her own capacities and to trust God with the outcome. You don’t need to have everything figured out to move forward. Do your part with excellence, educate yourself, have integrity, courage, and faith that the path will open as it should.
Success doesn’t come from waiting until you feel “ready enough”, it comes from believing that you are capable, from being brave even if you’re the first one or the only one, for showing up fully, and taking the leap anyway.
The strategy that opened doors she did not expect
One strategy that has helped me lead, grow, and advance in ways I didn’t initially expect is reaching out and not being afraid to put myself out there. Early on, I learned that waiting quietly for opportunities to appear was limiting.
Instead, I chose to lead with self‑initiative, to express interest, raise my hand, and pursue roles and experiences even when there was no formal invitation or when it seems there is no available opportunities. That approach led me to take on leadership roles and volunteer positions within professional organizations.
Being active and engaged meant people began to think of me, mention my name, and advocate for me in rooms I wasn’t always physically present in, rooms where opportunities were discussed and decisions were made. Over time, those connections opened doors I hadn’t anticipated.
How she brings a bold idea to life when resources are limited
When resources, time, or support are limited, I focus on building momentum through people and clarity. The first step is finding advocates and allies, individuals who understand the problem, share the vision, or have influence within the system.
No bold idea comes to life alone, especially in constrained environments. I also ground the idea in research. I gather facts, data, and real examples to clearly articulate not just what the idea is, but why it matters. I make a deliberate effort to communicate the benefits in a way that resonates with others’ priorities. People are far more likely to support an idea when they can see how it improves their work, their community, or their outcomes.
Ultimately, bringing a bold idea to life is about helping others see themselves in it. When stakeholders understand the value, the impact, and their role in the solution, limited resources become less of a barrier, and shared ownership becomes the catalyst that moves the idea forward. Also, show the rewards and recognition if this is important to those involved.
What kept her going when the world felt too heavy
My family, especially my husband and my daughter. I couldn’t allow myself to quit because I was my daughter’s example of resilience and perseverance.
Still today, this motivates me to do better and not give up.
The tool that changed how she works and lives
Practicing yoga and Pilates has been transformational for me. These disciplines helped me recover physically and have become essential tools for managing stress, staying centered, and maintaining resilience in demanding seasons of life.
Spiritually, I begin my mornings listening to a daily Bible verse meditation from a priest as I get ready for work. This small but consistent practice grounds me in faith and intention before the day’s demands begin. I also use meditation apps to listen to daily reflections, which complement my spirituality and help me pause, breathe, and reset.
Another practice that deeply changed my life emerged during my illness when I discovered Arts in Medicine, and through it, painting became a form of healing. Over the years, I continued to take painting workshops as a recreational activity, and more recently, I’ve discovered the art of mosaic through a local studio.
Reading has also been a powerful resource. Books focused on self‑improvement, leadership, and lifelong learning have continuously shaped my perspective and growth.
The best investment she has made in herself recently
In December 2024, I was accepted to the Harvard Kennedy School of Executive Leadership, and I started my certification in Public Leadership in April 2025. In April 2026, I will complete my certification, and it has been an amazing opportunity to meet the program professors and the student executives in the cohort.
I have also spent time at Harvard on campus, which has allowed me to concentrate on my curriculum and establish new relationships with the student executives from all over the world. This opened new life experiences and I’m sure new opportunities for my career.
I love being a student and this certification confirmed my love for education and self-improvement. I’m excited to see what is next in my life!
The book and the painting that shifted her perspective
A book that I’ve always liked and that it was presented to me when I was an intern at NASA is “Who Moved my Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson. It’s a simple way to understand how change or the resistance to change can impact our lives.
The artwork, Flamming June, is a masterpiece that my mother and I love for its vibrant colors and, ironically, the calm it conveys.
A truth she is giving away freely
One thing I am willing to give away freely to the women reading this is the truth that bravery is not a one‑time decision; it is an ongoing way of life that can sometimes be exhausting but always rewarding.
If you want to leave a legacy and be remembered as a great woman, courage becomes something you practice daily, not something you achieve and move past. There is no easy way.
The higher you rise and the more successful you become, the more resistance you may encounter. Some people will not support you, not because you are wrong or unworthy, but because your growth challenges their comfort. That reality can be painful if you’re unprepared for it.
What I’ve learned is that success does not always come with applause, validation, or universal support, and waiting for those things can hold you back. The truth is that you have to learn to be proud of your accomplishments even when no one is clapping.
To find fulfillment not in external praise, but in knowing you acted with integrity, courage, and purpose.
What "Moxie" means to her
I wasn’t very familiar with the term moxie before, but now I truly love it because it so clearly captures what so many remarkable women describe in their own words.
I researched about women who embody and use “moxie” in their brand and across their stories, moxie consistently means courage and determination in the face of resistance, showing up, speaking up, and standing firm when it would be easier to stay quiet or comfortable.
These women describe moxie as leading during uncertainty, pushing back when something isn’t right, persevering through criticism, and staying aligned with their values even without applause.
I see myself as having moxie, especially when I’ve described my life without knowing there existed a term that perfectly describes it.
During my induction ceremony in the Space Camp Hall of Fame, there was a tribute video from my loved ones, my co-workers, and even the Governor of Puerto Rico. Click here to watch it on YouTube.
A note of gratitude and an invitation to celebrate
Eileen M. Velez-Vega, thank you. Thank you for your candor, your courage, and your willingness to share your story with the MogulMoxie community. Your brilliance and wisdom are a gift, and we are honored to carry them forward.
Now we turn to you, reader.
The world needs more stories like this one. Stories of women who sell chocolates to chase a dream, who lead with faith when the path is unclear, who show up for their daughters while leading entire agencies, and who find a way to keep going when life asks the unthinkable of them.
If this story moved you, inspired you, or reminded you of someone you know, please share it. Pass it along to the woman in your life who needs to read it today.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram so you never miss a feature. Search for MogulMoxie on all three platforms and join a community of women who celebrate, support, and champion each other.
This is what we are building here. And we would love for you to be part of it.
Blessings Upon Blessings! ~ TC Cooper, MogulMoxie® Founder