Meet Mateo Ruiz-Leal, a Class of 2021 graduate, current student at Carnegie Mellon University, and intern at SeedAI. During his time at Esperanza Academy, Mateo enjoyed exploring various hobbies, clubs, and passions, sometimes stumbling, but always learning. Along the way, he built lasting friendships that went beyond the classroom. These relationships were about growing together, supporting one another, and pushing each other to be the best version of themselves. Today, those friendships continue to remind Mateo of where he started and how far he has come.
“My time at EACS was a time of discovery. It allowed me to figure out what truly interested me and find the people who would shape my life in ways I never expected.”
After graduating from high school, Mateo began his academic journey studying Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he built a strong foundation in programming and technical problem-solving before transitioning to Ethics, History, and Public Policy to explore the societal impacts of technology.
At Carnegie Mellon University, Mateo has conducted research on political leadership, worked in business engagement to analyze alumni integration strategies, completed service trips to the Dominican Republic, and interned in the congressional office of Nevada Representative
Susie Lee. Beyond his policy and research work, Mateo is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI),
mentoring underrepresented students as a Tartan Scholar Ambassador and actively leading DEI initiatives on campus. He advocates for greater accessibility in AI, emphasizing ethical innovation and inclusive technology policies.
Mateo’s advice to current students is: “Believe in yourself and what you have built, know that you are meant to be where you are, and you will land in the right spot for you. Always make the best with what you have and find others to lift you up.”
We are so proud of all the work Mateo is doing for the world and look forward to hearing about the amazing things he will achieve in the future!