A first-generation college graduate from Notre Dame and a 2023 Aspire Leaders Program alumnus from Arizona, Rafa Banuelos has always sought out opportunities to find support networks and give back to his communities. He has found fulfillment in joining Latino communities and improving education and opportunities among youth. The Aspire Leaders Program provided him with a wider global perspective and increased his commitment to building meaningful connections, empowering others, and making sure to understand and make an impact in each community he lives in.
Growing Up and Path to Higher Education
As a son to immigrant parents who grew up in a small town, there were limited college planning resources. Banuelos had to navigate the path to higher education largely on his own. In his tight-knit family, leaving the state to attend a university like Notre Dame was uncommon.
His family operated a small business in Arizona offering cabin rentals in the mountains. While they excelled at customer service, they lacked formal business knowledge.
“We worked hard and did a lot with different customers. The goal was to have people have a good time,” Banuelos reflected. “But we weren’t good at budgeting, forecasting, financials, [or] reporting.”
During high school, the Be A Leader Foundation and his calculus teacher became crucial influences, exposing him to college opportunities and celebrating his acceptance to Notre Dame.
College and Early Career
At Notre Dame, Banuelos earned his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. After a few years spent navigating the college experience as a first-gen student, he decided to give back by supporting other first-generation Hispanic students.
“Notre Dame really influenced a lot of my perspectives, because their mission is to be a force for good in the world,” he said. “I try to use that as a guiding light in a lot of the things I do.”
After college, he joined Venture for America and worked at Tulsa Economic Development Corporation (TEDC), helping aspiring business owners access tools and capital.
“It really helps you solve problems knowing why your work is important,” he noted.
His expertise with software tools like Airtable led to consulting opportunities, and he eventually started his own business building technology solutions for organizations across multiple states. As he built this business with a partner, he also returned home to care for his aunt during her battle with cancer.
“She was like a mom to me,” he shared.
She is a business owner and has now returned to work but relied on Banuelos to help with her business operations while she was sick.
Finding Direction Through El Camino de Santiago
After ending his business venture, Banuelos walked El Camino de Santiago in Spain, a transformative experience that provided clarity about his path forward.
“There’s people doing it for different reasons,” he explained about meeting fellow travelers.
The journey taught him an important lesson.
“We’re all on our own camino,” he said. “You can’t compare yourself to somebody else. We’re all on our own way, and we’ll get to where we’re going when we do.”
Current Role at Salt River Project
Today, Banuelos works for Salt River Project, a community-based not-for-profit organization providing water and electricity to the Phoenix area. He participates in a management development program that involves rotating through different sectors of the company.
“We’re a reason why people are able to live the way that they live. We give water and electricity,” he explained. “Our mission is to provide water and power in a reliable and safe way to the Phoenix area.”
He also volunteers as a FIRST Robotics coach, mentoring young students in STEM fields alongside other engineers in the management development program.
Community Leadership and Advocacy
Banuelos remains deeply committed to community involvement. At Salt River Project, he joined Hablamos, the company’s Hispanic Enterprise Resource group. He also participates in the Hispanic Leadership Institute of the East Valley, gaining insights into local government and public policy.
Through these experiences, he learned about pressing educational challenges among youth.
“The number one economic risk factor was low Latino student achievement,” he shared about a talk from the Governor’s office of Arizona.
This knowledge reinforced his commitment to educational initiatives and mentorship.
“I love connecting people to resources and to other people,” he said. “That is something I continue to do.”
Aspire Leaders Program Experience
Banuelos discovered the Aspire Leaders Program through fellow alum, Bryan Zapata. The program’s global focus immediately drew him in, exposing him to new perspectives through case studies and interactions with peers worldwide.
“I loved every module and the way we communicate with other people through the Discord server,” he said. “Having the perspectives from people all over the world was just really eye-opening.”
His coffee chat with Jenna Maurer, Communications & Outreach Director, in Tulsa a couple of years ago while he was participating in the program further excited him about completing it. The program gave him increased confidence to take on new challenges.
“The program gave me some more confidence to go out and take on things and not hold myself back,” he reflected.
Advice and Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Banuelos continues seeking opportunities to serve on boards and take on leadership roles that align with his mission and values. He encourages others, particularly first-generation college students, to persist through challenges.
“Even if at first attempt, you failed, don’t stop,” he advised. “If you want to help people, if you want them to believe that you are by their side, it’s a very big thing for them.”
Banuelos continues his community involvement through engineering work, volunteer coaching, and connecting people with resources and opportunities. His journey from a small-town, first-generation college student to a community leader and engineer exemplifies how personal growth, global perspectives, and commitment to service can create lasting positive impact for years to come.
