Ctrl Shift is led by a founding board with deep roots in Chicago's Little Village community and decades of combined experience across technology, operations, business, logistics, law, and leadership.
Each member brings a shared commitment to expanding access and opportunity for the next generation. Together, they are focused on building a strong foundation for the organization and delivering meaningful, long-term impact.
Luis Cruz grew up in Chicago's Little Village community, where he was shaped by a culture of resilience, hard work, and strong community ties. Those early experiences continue to influence his commitment to expanding access and opportunity for the next generation.
With more than two decades of experience across engineering, enterprise software, and operational leadership, Luis has built a career focused on creating structure, scalability, and performance within complex organizations. He began his career at Motorola, contributing to the development of the EMX-2500 switch before taking on a leadership role in software integration for the launch of the Motorola RAZR, one of the most successful mobile devices of its time.
Carlos Rivera was born and raised in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, where he developed a strong work ethic early in life and gained firsthand exposure to both the challenges and resilience that define underserved communities.
With more than three decades of professional experience, Carlos has built a successful career across manufacturing, packaging, logistics, and real estate. He developed his expertise through hands-on experience, earning a reputation for reliability, strong client relationships, and consistent results. He has managed national accounts, led operational improvements, and contributed to the implementation of enterprise systems that improved efficiency and communication.
Gabriel Gonzalez was born and raised in Chicago, spending his early years in the Little Village neighborhood, where he attended Joseph E. Gary Elementary School. Growing up in a community rich in culture but often challenged by limited access to resources, Gabriel developed an early awareness of the systemic barriers many young people face and the importance of discipline, exposure, and opportunity in shaping outcomes.
He continued his education on the city's Southwest Side, graduating from William J. Bogan High School before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During his time there, he was a founding member of Omega Delta Fraternity in 1997, reflecting an early commitment to leadership, brotherhood, and community-building. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a concentration in Psychology, and later received his Juris Doctor from DePaul University College of Law.