In recognition of her outstanding entrepreneurial contributions to the community, Gina, a highly accomplished tech and business leader with 30 years of experience, serves as Hacker Lab Inc.’s founding CEO, established in 2012 in Sacramento, CA. Hacker Lab has emerged as a renowned entrepreneurial, educational, and workforce organization, boasting 100 members, hosting 60 educational classes monthly, and positively impacting over 1500 students annually.
Gina’s visionary leadership has played a pivotal role in driving Hacker Lab’s impressive growth, resulting in millions in annual revenue and national recognition as a top Maker Space. Her remarkable achievements have earned her a multitude of prestigious awards, including:
- Recognition as one of Sacramento Business Journal’s 25 Business Leaders of 2012 and 2013.
- 2012 International Women’s Day award honoring her exceptional contributions to the Sacramento community.
- 2014 Valley Vision’s Legacy Feast award for fostering Economic Development.
- The 2013 Women Who Mean Business Award acknowledges her significant regional economic leadership.
- The National Latina of Excellence In Information Sciences and Technology award in 2015.
- The 2019 Hispanic Chamber Salud Business Award for Community.
- The Unsung Hero title was bestowed upon her by California Senator Richard Pan in 2020.
- Inclusion in Sacramento Magazine’s list of Sacramento’s Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020.
- Sac Bee Equity Lab’s 2024 Top 20 Latino Changemakers Of Sacramento
In addition to her impressive array of awards, Gina has also received special recognition and awards from the California State Assembly, Senate, Congressional Representatives, and the House of Representatives. These accolades have been bestowed upon her in acknowledgment of her exceptional excellence in entrepreneurial contributions to the community.
Gina’s contributions have been celebrated widely, earning her features in prestigious publications like Reuters, TechCrunch, and Forbes and being a TEDx speaker.
Gina’s influence extends well beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors. She has successfully collaborated with major corporations such as Intel, VSP, Hewlett Packard, AT&T, SMUD, and Kaiser, forging innovative partnerships and solutions. Gina and her team have worked on undisclosed projects for Northrop Grumman AS and Toyota as Innovation Consultants, contributing significantly to their technological advancements.
Moreover, Gina co-founded Code For Hood, a nonprofit dedicated to educating underserved youth through hackathons and STEM workshops. In 2018, this initiative received accolades and awards from Congressional and State Legislators for Civic Engagement and was honored as Non-Profit Of The Year by The State Of California.
Hacker Lab has evolved into a nonprofit hub, overseeing impactful programs like MADE Studio and MAKEHERS. Gina also actively participates in various committees and is committed to fostering community growth and equity, including her role as a Board Member of Valley Vision and the Sacramento Metro Chamber.
Furthermore, Gina’s dedication to innovation garnered national recognition when she and her team were invited to the White House during the Obama administration for a closed-session meeting on the Nation Of Makers, highlighting her significant contributions nationally to the Maker and Innovation space.
YouTube Video: Interview For Success Equity Success Initiative
YouTube Video: Women Who Mean Business Award 2013