Ascend NorCal & ALPFA Networking Mixer

Alejandro Chang brings a powerful blend of cultural perspectives to the tech industry. Born and raised in Costa Rica, Alejandro's Latin American upbringing and Chinese heritage have shaped his approach to professional challenges. At Meta, he applies this unique worldview to Risk Management, offering fresh insights on global issues. Alejandro's journey from Costa Rica to the United States has honed his ability to navigate and leverage diverse professional environments. As a member of the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), he continues to drive positive change through cultural understanding and professional excellence.

Sam Medrano, a first-generation college graduate from an immigrant family, is a business operations professional based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 2019 with a degree in sociology. During his college years, Sam gained diverse experience through internships in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, eventually securing a full-time position at Visa from an internship. At Visa, Sam has advanced through two promotions and a lateral move, now serving as a Program Manager for the Cybersecurity team. In this role, he oversees early career and alternative pathway programs, as well as training, certification, and upskilling efforts. Additionally, Sam co-leads North America Talent Advancement for the Visa Latinx Connect Employee Resource Group, focusing on professional development for the Latinx community. Outside of work, Sam is dedicated to supporting first-generation communities. He currently leads the alumni board of The Peninsula College Fund, where he organizes programs and educational events for approximately 300 alumni members.

Winnie Tam is a Managing Director in Deloitte’s Bay Area audit and assurance practice. She is a first generation college graduate, graduating from UC Berkeley with simultaneous degrees in Economics (B.A.) with highest distinction in general scholarship and Undergraduate Business Administration (B.S.) with highest honors. As the daughter of immigrant parents who were former business owners in Oakland Chinatown, she has experienced the world of business from different lenses and perspectives. She is a licensed CPA. In her current role at Deloitte, she leads her teams in performing audits of public and private clients, primarily in the consumer business and technology industry. She also helps clients navigate through key milestone events in their business lifecycle, including IPOs and mergers & acquisitions. She enjoys mentoring others as they embark on their careers, participating in mentorship programs at both Berkeley and at Deloitte. She is a Bay Area resident through and through and currently resides in the East Bay.