Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Lejiste.
Hi Rose, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I was born in Miami, Florida and I am the proud oldest daughter of Haitian immigrants. I was raised in Delray Beach, FL and graduated high school in 2000. I attended college at the University of Central Florida and initially came in as a Finance major. I as a Lead Scholar at UCF and got the opportunity to work in the admin office at the College of Engineering and Computer Science. One of my responsibilities was to assist during orientation and take prospective students to some of the seminars that we had going on. During one of these occasions, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Pamela McCauley speak about her life and career in Industrial Engineering. See this amazing, beautiful, stylish black woman speaking really opened my eyes to a whole new world that I didn’t even realize was possible for me. I did my research and winded up changing my major to Industrial Engineering the fall semester of my sophomore year.
It was very intimidating because my classes went from being pretty diverse to being the only one who looked like me. And to make matters even tougher, I found out I was pregnant at the end of the spring semester of my sophomore year. My parents were disappointed and weren’t speaking to me. I had absolutely zero support during this time. My daughter was due that December but was born prematurely at seven months in October 2002 and had to stay in the NICU for a month and one day. That was the toughest time of my life but it was also key in molding me into who I am today. I had a life that I was responsible for. So I buckled down and pushed through. I graduated in 2005 with my BS in Industrial Engineering and landed a job with a government contractor at Kennedy Space Center. I spent the next 15 years at KSC, working various engineering positions and honing my skills.
I am an epic expert at solutions development have over 16 years of expertise in data analytics, business intelligence and optimization, process improvement and streamlining, reliability/safety engineering, and performance and project management in both government and commercial environments. In 2019, I left KSC for a virtual position as a solution developed and also started my own consulting firm, RL Engineering and Tech Solutions. I worked in the virtual position for almost two years expanding my data analytics expertise and learning new skills such as AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation. In March 2021 I officially transitioned from employee to CEO.
In 2019 I joined Black Orlando Tech, a nonprofit tech organization that focus on getting more minorities into the tech space via entrepreneurship and careers, as the Strategic Partnerships and Resources Chair. 2021 I became the Executive Director of the organization. I am also the subject matter expert for BOT’s Data Analytics Tech Cohort and I coordinate the organization’s Tech Startup Series.
Today I use my experience to speak at various tech conferences, mentor black youth, and provide guidance to young people of color who are just starting their professional careers. I am a mentor coordinator with The Greatest Investment (TGI) Empowerment Program and Junior Achievement Central Florida. I also volunteer within my community sharing my lessons learned from life experiences and my STEM expertise. And most importantly, I am the proud mom to an amazing 18 year old who is finishing up her senior year at Dr Phillips High School and plans to pursue her bachelors of Fine Arts in Acting and just got accepted into her top 2 college choices: University of South California (USC) or Howard University.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No it has not been a smooth road. It has been quite rocky actually. But I am grateful for the journey and experience. I truly believe that all I endured and conquered made be stronger and more determined. Being a single mom is not for the faint of heart but she is my world and my greatest achievement. Navigating both the tech space and corporate world as a black woman is a long discussion in itself. I will just say that I thank God for giving me the gifts that he has given me.
We’ve been impressed with RL Engineering and Tech Solutions, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
RL Engineering and Tech Solutions is an engineering and technology solutions and consulting firm dedicated to working closely with our clients to assess, identify, and improve on key areas of their business. We take a holistic approach to identifying areas of concern within our client’s business and determining the best strategy for execution. This allows us to provide the custom tools, processes, and resources our clients need to achieve their business objectives and goals. We have over 16 years of engineering and technology experience in small business, commercial, and government sectors. We are most proud of being minority female owned and led.
We offer the services in the following areas:
Data Analytics
Business Intelligence – assessing and identifying key business objectives, needs, metrics, and goals for each client using a holistic approach and from critical areas within the business.
Business Optimization – streamline your business workflows to help you gain competitive advantage through optimized efficiency, reduced waste, improved flexibility and enhanced service
Process Improvement – analyze your organization’s operations, focus on critical challenges, identify high-value opportunities, create the best strategies, and provide advice on how your organization can lower costs, be more efficient, and exceed customer expectations.
Performance Management – systematic process of managing, monitoring, and ensuring the set activities and outputs required to meet your organization’s key performance indicators, parameters, and/or goals are completed in an effective and efficient manner.
Reliability Engineering – focus on identifying, managing, and mitigating risks and potential failures in an asset or system’s design that could negatively affect the company’s value stream.
Whether you are looking to optimize your entire business, focus on improving the operational performance of a specific sector, or collaborate on a critical project, RL Engineering and Tech Solutions offers optimal solutions that are ideal for your company. We are headquartered in Orlando, Florida and can provide services, virtually, to any client located in the United States. We are committed to empowering our clients by providing them the tools necessary to ensure their company’s efficiency, profitability, and success.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was quirky. I was a unicorn and I loved it. I never liked following the crowd or being put into a box. I loved doing things that interested me and rarely allowed peer pressure to win me over. I was a book worm. I was particularly fond of romance novels especially ones depicted during the medieval times. I also like horror and mystery books. Stephen King and John Grisham were some of my favs. I loved listening to 90s R&B, 80s pop, and kompa (type of Haitian music). I was a nerd and a math whiz. I loved to learn. I loved games and puzzles that allowed me to exercise my mind and tap into my problem solving skills. Still do until this day. I did gymnastic in my younger years and then played basketball throughout high school.
Contact Info:
- Email: lejiste@rlengtech.com
- Website: www.rlengtech.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dimples44r/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RLENGTECH/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dimples44r
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