Week Four Update from your boy Dr. Drury outside here with the 2026 YTT Cohort at @latinasweatproject and bruh this@was a HEAVY week for sure!! We did more high to low planks in a row on Tuesday a a team than we probably thought we were able to ever do…and we made it through it 🫶 we are also shifting into a place where we are beginning to find our teaching voice and teaching style.
I am so grateful for @mquino4 and @brenda.araceli.23 and @zorita_22 and @vanesstrd for sharing their wisdom with us as we transition into becoming community healers through the practice of yoga.
A common theme that always comes up in the classes is that we ARE capable of doing hard things and we always need to maintain that level of confidence in ourselves so that we can share it with others as a means to help them find the strength they need to overcome all challenges they are facing in life.
On a final note…shout out everyone in the cohort who shared and presented their Lineage Map to us this week. It was so moving to hear about your life and your pathway getting to the program. You are all my legit hero for getting up there and talking about that…this is my true fear as we move forward because I never talk about my history with anyone. It will be a challenge, and I know that you all will be there to support me…and that makes me feel blessed beyond words 🫶
Some coffee shops just feel right. Colibrí has the energy (& taste) that makes you want to stay for a second cup ☕️
My order:
* Arroz con leche latte
* Breakfast burrito
* Cubano sandwich
#ChicagoCoffee #ChicagoFoodie #ChicagoCafe #ColibriCoffee
Week Three update from the field 🫡 we out here at @latinasweatproject doing WAY than just building our capacity for the physical requirements of serving the community as a yoga teacher. We’re out here legit transforming into agents for healing justice in this considerably toxic world we live in.
Most of the people living in and around Chicago are caught up in the cycle of capitalistic gains and perpetually trying to convince ourselves that we need more things and that we need to be more productive. In reality, each of us is doing the best we can…and that’s all that matters. Taking care of our mind and body and those we care about is our most important task while we are in human form on this Earth.
As your doctor and spiritual advisor, I highly recommend taking a day off from work and coming into Latina Sweat Project for a daytime flow y cafecito from @hawahospitality and get your mind right so you can show up in your most beautiful form for everyone in your life that count on you 🫶
Stay safe and stay hydrated and stay weird out there, Chicago. More updates from the LSP 2026 YTT program next week 😉
Sujee is one of those people whose background immediately stands out because of how naturally she connects environmental engineering, microbiology, sustainability, and climate technology into real-world problem solving 🌎
With a recently completed Master’s in Environmental Engineering at Northeastern University, she has worked on projects involving carbon footprint analysis, water treatment systems, air quality, landfill gas modeling, environmental chemistry, and sustainability assessment tools like openLCA, QGIS, and Visual MINTEQ.
What I appreciate about her work is that it combines scientific depth with practical application. She brings hands-on laboratory experience, environmental modeling skills, and operational experience managing workflows and project coordination across multiple settings.
Sujee’s interests in climate technology, wastewater systems, environmental compliance, and sustainability innovation feel especially relevant right now as more organizations search for people who can think critically about environmental systems and long-term impact.
I genuinely think companies and organizations working in sustainability, environmental consulting, climate resilience, clean technology, or public health should have her on their radar because she brings both technical capability and a thoughtful approach to environmental problem solving.
#datascience #environment #science #chicago #innovation
One thing I really respect about Hemanth is that he’s not somebody who only understands data science in theory. He already has real enterprise experience working on backend systems, database optimization, automation, predictive analytics, and production-level problem solving before even completing his master’s degree.
Right now, he’s finishing a perfect 4.0 GPA in Data Science at Lewis University while continuing to build experience in AI, machine learning, and scalable data systems. Prior to that, he worked at Tata Consultancy Services where he helped improve database performance, reduce system downtime, automate workflows, and solve critical backend production issues in fast-paced environments.
What makes him stand out to me is how naturally he moves between different areas of technical work. One minute he’s optimizing SQL and PL/SQL queries, the next he’s building machine learning models, analyzing massive datasets, creating Power BI dashboards, or working on AI-driven research related to software testing and intelligent automation.
He’s worked on projects involving 8M+ record datasets, predictive healthcare modeling, crime analytics, clustering algorithms, and graph-based machine learning systems. At the same time, he understands the operational side of technology and how systems actually function in real-world environments. That combination matters.
A lot of people can build models. A lot of people can write code. Fewer people can combine engineering, analytics, scalability, and business impact the way Hemanth can.
I genuinely think companies looking for someone in data engineering, machine learning, analytics, backend systems, or AI-focused development should have him on their radar because this is somebody with both strong technical depth and practical experience solving problems that affect real systems and real users.
#ai #innovation #machinelearning #chicago #python
Week Two Update from @latinasweatproject YTT 2026 cohort…shout out @zorita_22 and @mquino4 and @vanesstrd and @brenda.araceli.23 for sharing their wisdom, time, and energy with us and all the homies in the cohort out here getting it in 🫡😉😎🫶🔥🧘
We are all out here working together to support each other as we level up to the challenge of becoming a culturally relevant yoga instructor with a focus on liberated learning and aligning the practice of yoga with a range of parallel wellness wisdom from the Latino community.
I’m feeling blessed, tired, grateful, and humbled to be a part of the most powerfully transformative experience in my life outside of having children…and recognizing that we are legit part of a critically important movement in the reclamation of traditional healing practices and returning them to our communities.
Most importantly, acknowledging that we’re all bonded for life through this shared progressive and infinite journey to building a stronger and more powerful community of healers.
Let me put you on to someone who actually understands how money moves 📊💵😎🔥💻😇
Soudary Noudaranouvong is not just another finance grad. She is someone who has already operated inside global financial systems at a level most people never touch. From working on trading systems with Société Générale to driving investment performance reporting across international teams at BNP Paribas Securities Services, she brings real, institutional-level experience into every room she steps into.
What stands out immediately is range and precision. She has built valuation models, led cross-border regulatory projects tied to frameworks like Solvency II, and translated complex financial data into decisions that actually move capital. That is not theory. That is execution.
Now she is finishing her Master’s in Financial Management at Boston University with a focus on investment analysis, combining deep quantitative training with hands-on exposure to markets, modeling, and strategy. On top of that, she is actively pursuing the CFA designation, which tells you everything you need to know about her discipline and long-term trajectory.
Fluent in English, French, and Lao, and comfortable working across global teams, she is the kind of professional who can step into high-stakes environments and add value immediately.
If you are looking for someone who can bridge data, markets, and strategy with clarity and confidence, you are looking at her…and she is someone to watch.
#finance #money #innovation #chicago #fyp
Let me introduce someone who lives at the intersection of serious research and real-world AI systems…my guy, Venkata Narayana Redrouthu.
Venkata is the kind of engineer who doesn’t just talk about AI, he builds it end to end. We’re talking full pipelines, production-ready models, and systems that actually hold up when things get messy in the real world. At the Stony Brook Cancer Center, he’s been deep in the weeds working on single-cell bioinformatics, translating complex biological data into structured, traceable insights you can actually trust.
But what really sets him apart is how he bridges worlds. He’s building LLM-powered agents that can interact with bioinformatics tools, turning natural language into real analysis. That’s not just technical skill, that’s vision. It’s the difference between knowing how to code and knowing how to design systems people can actually use.
And outside the lab, he’s just as dangerous in the best way possible. From deploying full-stack AI dashboards for policy intelligence to shipping medical AI models with production-grade MLOps, he has a track record of taking ideas all the way to something real, usable, and scalable.
So yeah…if you’re wondering whether he’s more of a researcher or a builder, the answer is yes. Go ahead and link up with the homie on LinkedIn 😎🫡🫶🙏
#data #health #innovation #chicago #fyp
I have the opportunity to work with individuals who are developing not only technical skill, but a clear sense of how their work can create meaningful impact. Meghana Reddy Kondapally is someone who exemplifies that approach.
During her time with the ChiEAC Data Science Alliance, Meghana engaged deeply with data that reflects real educational challenges across communities. She worked with large-scale student datasets, identifying patterns in attendance, performance, and dropout trends, and translating those insights into tools that support early intervention and more informed decision-making. Her work contributed to the development of predictive models designed to identify at-risk students, aligning technical execution with a clear social purpose.
What distinguishes Meghana is her ability to move between analysis and application. In addition to her data work, she evaluated and strengthened our digital platforms, identifying ways to improve accessibility, usability, and engagement for the communities we serve. Her recommendations were structured, actionable, and grounded in a strong understanding of user experience.
She approached her work with consistency, professionalism, and a willingness to refine her thinking through feedback. Over time, she developed not just stronger technical skills, but a clearer understanding of how to apply them in ways that matter.
Meghana is someone who builds with intention and follows through with care…please spare a moment to hear directly from her about that experience 🙏🫶
#data #job #chicago #innovation #fyp
I have had the opportunity to work with individuals who understand how to turn ideas into momentum. Priyal Khanuja stands out in that space.
Priyal operates at the intersection of growth, storytelling, and AI-native execution. She has built and scaled systems that move products from zero to traction, translating complex technical capabilities into messaging that drives real user behavior. Her work reflects a clear understanding of how to connect product value to people in a way that converts, retains, and compounds over time.
What distinguishes Priyal is not just her ability to generate growth, but how intentionally she builds the systems behind it. From high-performing outbound campaigns to scalable content pipelines, she approaches each challenge with structure, speed, and a strong sense of direction.
She is someone who does not wait for clarity. She builds it. Take a moment to hear directly from her.
#marketing #data #job #chicago #innovation
In my capacity as Founder of the Chicago Education Advocacy Cooperative, I have the opportunity to work closely with individuals who are not only building technical skill, but actively shaping their professional direction with intention and purpose. Rebecca is one of those individuals.
During her time with the ChiEAC Data Science Alliance, Rebecca engaged deeply with our applied learning model, contributing to projects that required both analytical rigor and an understanding of real-world impact. She consistently approached her work with focus, curiosity, and a willingness to translate feedback into meaningful improvement. Her participation reflected a clear commitment to growth, both technically and professionally.
What stands out most in Rebecca’s journey is how she leveraged the structure and support of our program to navigate a complex career pathway. Through mentorship, project-based experience, and ongoing guidance, she was able to refine her skill set, clarify her goals, and position herself competitively within the data science landscape. That process ultimately contributed to her successful transition into an H1B-sponsored role, a milestone that reflects both her effort and her ability to apply what she learned in a strategic way.
In the video that follows, Rebecca shares her perspective on that experience. Her reflections speak to the value of applied work, consistent support, and staying grounded in the process of development.
#chicago #data #job #support #innovation
