Today we’d like to introduce you to Ileana Gonzalez
Hi Ileana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From a young age, Ileana's life has been marked by
determination, and an unwavering drive to break barriers.
Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, she immigrated to the United
States in 2007 with her family. “We left with just a few
belongings in a used car,” she recalls. “My father moved us
to the U.S. to give us opportunities that were not available in
Guadalajara.
The journey was not easy. Ileana watched her father
persevere through the certification exam as a bilingual
teacher four times before passing, while her mother
supported the family by baking cakes. These challenges laid
the foundation for Ileana's fierce resilience and
independence.
As a teenager, Ileana learned to navigate adult
responsibilities. “The immigrant struggle is real. You come to
a new country with little understanding of how things work,”
she explains. In her case, this meant learning English
primarily through books. “I turned to literature for survival,”
she shares, laughing about how much of her English
learning came from British sources, particularly the Harry
Potter series.
By the time she was ready for college, Ileana was acquainted
with forging her own path. “My parents didn’t know English,
let alone how to navigate the admissions process,” she says.
Her father, urged her to “own the process and figure it out.”
Ileana persisted, a quality that would become her hallmark.
Despite her hard work in high school, the path to her dreams
was rocky. She was accepted into the University of Texas at
San Antonio (UTSA) but was granted little financial aid. “I
saw my dreams slipping through my fingers,” she says.
Unwilling to give up, Ileana spent two weeks calling UTSA,
financial aid offices, and state heads every single day,
advocating for herself.” Her persistence paid off when she
finally received a phone call that would change her life: a full
scholarship based on her academic tenacity.
Once at UTSA, Ileana diligently pursued student life. “I was
out there shaping myself outside of my family,” she recalls.
“I wanted to change how Hispanics are perceived in this
nation by breaking glass ceilings.” She became the first and
only female to hold titles such as Miss UTSA, student body
president, and mascot handler all at once. “Leading 32,000
students as student body president was the most fulfilling
role,” she says. “It positioned me to understand how
organizations work and to build networks.”
Her post-college journey was marked by growth. Working in
roles from marketing to venture capital, Ileana's skills and
determination helped her stand out. She joined Tech Bloc in
2019 left briefly and returned to lead the organization. “When
David Heard, the previous CEO, decided to retire, he said,
‘There’s no one better to lead Tech Bloc than you,’” Ileana
recalls. “I couldn’t say no because they believed in me and I
in them.”
Ileana's vision for Tech Bloc is clear: to serve as a hub that
connects people to resources, networks, and opportunities.
“People don’t talk to each other enough. If Tech Bloc can
bridge that gap, then I’ve achieved my goal,” she states.
Today, she continues to push boundaries, providing
guidance and opening doors for others.
Reflecting on her journey, Ileana is both proud and
determined. “I’m living the life I dreamed of 10 years ago, and
it keeps evolving,” she says. Her advice to others is simple:
“You may not know how things have always been done, but
that’s your power. Be the trailblazer. Carve your own path.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Explained in the previous answer
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tech Bloc is a non-profit organization committed to fostering development and advocacy within the greater San Antonio tech ecosystem. Our mission is to transform San Antonio into a leading tech hub by cultivating a community where innovation, collaboration, and growth thrive. We create a tech-forward environment where students, professionals, and employers inspire, learn from, and support each other at every stage of their journey. With a vision of becoming a community-driven city that democratizes access to innovation, Tech Bloc strives to empower individuals and companies alike, fostering inclusivity and creating a vibrant ecosystem where diverse talents drive sustainable growth and technological opportunity.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
David Heard – Previous Tech Bloc CEO & Founder
Lew Moorman – Previous Tech Bloc Board Chair & Founder
Erin Wilbanks – Tech Bloc board member & HEB Executive
Will Conway – Tech Bloc Board Chair & previous CEO of Mailgun
Pricing:
- Individual Membership – $50 per year
- Startup Membership – $150 per year
Contact Info:
- Website: https://satechbloc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/techbloc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TechBloc
- Twitter: https://www.x.com/satechbloc.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@satechbloc
