Meet Mili Isaza – CanvasRebel Magazine

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mili Isaza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mili, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Becoming a motivational youth speaker was born from my journey of overcoming adversity. Growing up in Petare, Caracas, Venezuela—one of the most dangerous and violent slums in the world—I faced hardships that forced me to become resilient and resourceful. Looking back, I realized I didn’t have a role model to guide me through those struggles. There were moments when I felt hopeless and wanted to give up because the idea of becoming a professional and living in a better environment seemed impossible. My surroundings were chaotic and dangerous—drug dealers on every corner, and gang violence. Today, many young people are in the same situation without the support, inspiration, or tools they need to create a life unlike what they saw growing up. But it’s not just about overcoming obstacles—I also saw a lack of women in STEM as role models, especially for girls like me, who didn’t even know engineering was an option to create opportunities to transform lives—including my own.
After achieving one of my biggest dreams: earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I started to wonder: What if I could share everything I learned the hard way in a way that connects with others who need this message? What if I could give them the tools to succeed? That idea sparked something inside me. I realized I could combine my personal story with practical strategies, and that’s how my mission was born: to empower young people, especially those facing obstacles, and to inspire the next generation of women in STEM. My goal is to encourage them to fuel their dreams and build resilience, showing them that a brighter future is possible no matter where they start.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m Mili Isaza, a mechanical engineer and motivational youth speaker. My journey began in Petare, Caracas, Venezuela where every day felt like I was in survival mode; I constantly worried about getting caught in the crossfire or being robbed on my way home. I even experienced something no 10-year-old should ever witness: seeing your neighbor die in front of your house after being shot. Those moments shaped my resilience and determination.

Growing up in that challenging environment, I had two options: stay stuck or fight to change my reality. I dreamed of changing the view from my window. I wanted to live in a safe neighborhood, and I knew education was the only vehicle to achieve that dream. My mom encouraged me to pursue medicine but being terrified of blood, I went with engineering instead. I leaned toward it because I loved solving problems and, I knew it could give me the financial stability to achieve the life I wanted.

Pursuing my education was not easy. In Venezuela, strikes, and political and economic instability made it impossible to plan for the future, so I made the difficult decision to migrate to the U.S. Despite these challenges, I started over and earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I graduated summa cum laude after going through engineering school twice. It was a moment that affirmed all the effort I had put into my journey and made me proud to say I am a female, Latina engineer in a male-dominated industry.

That accomplishment allowed me to thrive in my career, gaining experience at one of Chicago’s top engineering firms. Today, I’m also proud to say I’ve changed the view from my window—from a challenging neighborhood to a stunning city skyline. But my story did not stop there, when I started reflecting on my journey, I realized what I was missing when I was growing up—a role model. That realization sparked my passion for becoming a motivational youth speaker. What excited me most is the unique combination I can offer: a real story of resilience and concrete steps for academic and personal success. I am not just offering inspiration; I am providing a roadmap, a guide for overcoming challenges and thriving.

Through my speaking engagements, my goal is to inspire young people to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. Also, as a female engineer, I’m passionate about inspiring girls to pursue STEM careers and see engineering as a tool for creating change. My mission is to show that a brighter future is possible no matter where you start. My speeches go beyond inspiration. I combine authenticity and practicality by incorporating hands-on activities that actively engage the audience, helping them identify personal goals, build discipline while staying flexible, and leverage collaboration and resources to succeed. These practical, interactive elements ensure students leave with actionable strategies they can immediately apply to their lives.
Young people need authentic voices and actionable advice that speaks to their reality. I know I can inspire the next generation to embrace challenges, pursue STEM, and build a future full of possibilities and that is what drives me every day.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One story that truly captures my resilience is when I had to start over in the U.S. after leaving Venezuela. Back home, I was just one semester away from earning my bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Leaving everything behind was the hardest decision I’ve ever made. I said goodbye to my mom, my little brother, and the known comforts of my home country and culture. With only $300, a small suitcase, and no knowledge of English, I arrived in the U.S. filled with uncertainty but determined to succeed.
Starting over was more challenging than I imagined. I had to retake engineering courses I had already passed in Venezuela, all while navigating a new culture, improving my English, and working to support myself. I was haunted by nightmares of missing my graduation. There were countless moments of doubt—times when giving up felt like the easier option. But I kept going, fueled by the hope of one day changing the view from my window to something brighter and safer. After 14 years of being disciplined and consistent, I finally achieved one of my biggest dreams: earning my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and graduating summa cum laude. That moment wasn’t just about an academic achievement—it was a testament to the sacrifices, struggles, and determination that brought me to that point. It taught me that resilience starts from within and is about finding the strength to rise again and again, no matter how many times you have to start over.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that your surroundings define you. Growing up in one of the most dangerous slums in the world, I thought my environment would dictate my future. We didn’t have much—my mom was a single mother raising me and my brother on her own. Money was tight, and opportunities were scarce. We lived with the bare minimum and things like traveling or having new experiences felt like distant dreams.
For a long time, I believed that my circumstances were a ceiling I couldn’t break through. But as I grew older, I started to challenge that narrative. I realized that while I couldn’t control where I came from, I could control where I was going. I focused on education as my way out, using every bit of resilience and determination I had to push forward. It wasn’t easy, but little by little, I began to rewrite my story.
Looking back now, I realize that redefining my idea of success was the most important step in my journey. It allowed me to dream beyond the limits of my surroundings and to create a future that was entirely my own. Today, I share this lesson with others to show them that a brighter future is possible no matter where you start.

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