May 4, 2012
To the SHPE Silicon Valley Executive Board and the SHPE Community:
All great experiences must come to an end. After four amazing and fulfilling years, I knew this day would eventually come when I need to step away as President. On that note, I am leaving the United States and moving to Europe to join a start-up. Personally, it’s one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make, but it’s the right decision so I may focus on growing my professional career that will undoubtedly impact my ability to execute the roles and responsibilities as President of this organization.
It isn’t too long ago in June 2008, I was asked to revive and bring new energy to this amazing organization deeply committed in the mission to help Latinos in the Silicon Valley by promoting professional and personal growth and bringing STEM awareness to the lives of our youth. Little did I know that together, as a board and community, we reached goals and accomplishments beyond our wildest dreams and imaginations, year after year.
In just four years, together we:
- organized consecutive years (2008-2012) of our largest community outreach event, Noche de Ciencias, with over 200 volunteers impacting the lives of nearly 600+ students and parents with sponsors such as IBM, Bank of America, PG&E, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Telemundo;
- grew the largest holiday networking mixer for three consecutive years in the Bay Area with Google;
- organized high caliber professional events such as RLDC 2011 at Stanford, Hispanic Corporate Executive Event at Symantec, and career nights with IBM, Intel and eBay;
- recognized the accomplishments of our members at our annual member appreciation event;
- established and cultivated strong, healthy partnerships with HSF, NSBE, NSHMBA, and SWE;
- rang the opening bell at NASDAQ in New York City with HITEC;
- and so much more…
I deeply cherished and enjoyed every moment along this journey. At every step, I had my closest confidant and co-president, Rosalinda Zepeda, right next to my side as we challenged each other, spending countless hours and weekends, striving for perfection and never settling on being content or satisfied.
With this letter, I hereby resign as President of SHPE Silicon Valley, effective July 1, 2012.
I strongly and unequivocally believe SHPE Silicon Valley’s brightest and most rewarding days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a different role.
I have made some of the best friends of my life through SHPE and I thank you all for the years of being able to serve you not only as president but also as a friend and member of this great community.
Sincerely,
David K. Silva
Chairman & Co-President, SHPE Silicon Valley (2008-2012)
david@shpe-sv.org
408-463-5248, 408-256-1402
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Download a copy of the letter here.
