Public Announcement: Leadership Transition at STTE

After nearly eight years leading the STTE Foundation—from bold vision to national recognition—I will be stepping down as Executive Director, effective July 30, 2025.

Launching STTE in 2018 alongside Chairman Dr. Beto Pallares and a visionary Board of Directors has been one of the most meaningful chapters of my life. We set out to build a model for education innovation and entrepreneurship in the Southwest—and together, we’ve built an engine of impact.

Today, STTE is thriving locally and expanding nationally through strategic partnerships and a clear mission. I believe this is the right time to step aside and create space for a new leader to shape the next chapter.

I’m most proud of what we’ve built: truly innovative, community-rooted, tech-forward outcomes that reflect our team’s commitment to bold thinking and measurable impact.

STTE has launched high-impact initiatives that continue to shape the region’s innovation ecosystem. From establishing the first Educator Awards with CREEED—now adopted across multiple school districts—to helping 15 ventures raise $1.2M through the City Ventures Program, STTE consistently delivers results. Our workforce program trained 80 El Paso Water technicians, while our AI Hackathons—developed with partners like Microsoft, UTEP, and El Paso Electric—have generated 50+ prototypes and catalyzed six startups. Signature pitch events have unlocked over $2M in capital, and the LatinX EdTech Summit has grown from a local gathering into a national platform for advancing equity and innovation in education.

We also introduced first-of-their-kind innovations to bring the future into the present: TechStars Youth Startup Day, the region’s first AR Science Fair, Startosphere.io—our AI Business Model Canvas Generator—and AR STEAM Mirrors at La Nube, activated over 1 million times. Through Unicorn Academy, supported by NMSU Arrowhead, we deployed a hologram teacher and digital textbook that has served more than 1,000 learners.

Our work has received national recognition. STTE was named a Top Emerging Entrepreneurship Hub by Inicio Ventures, and I had the honor of speaking at the ASU+GSV Summit—one of the nation’s premier platforms for education innovation. STTE also received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for ethical leadership in nonprofit innovation.

As I pursue my next chapter, I do so with immense pride in what we’ve built and deep appreciation for those who made it possible. This is not an end—it’s a handoff. STTE is stronger than ever and ready for someone new to expand its reach, deepen its roots, and elevate its mission.

To the STTE Board, funders, partners, educators, founders—and especially the passionate developers in our coworking community—thank you. Your belief has powered this movement. It’s been an honor to lead the first leg of this generational transformation, and I’ll always champion STTE and the Borderplex’s potential to shape the future.

Sincerely,

Joseph Sapien