SINCE THE DAWN OF HUMANKIND, we have used technology to augment our capabilities. These external augmentations have caused the directed evolution of humanity. When we first developed fire, we exported digestion from within the body to an external source, which allowed the expansion of food sources and led to agricultural and societal developments that moved humanity forward. With the onset of the new millennium come new challenges to humanity with the exponential rate of technological evolution. These challenges require a new approach that is centered and precise for the Latinx community. Frank and I have sought out leaders throughout the Latinx community who have reached the pinnacle of success within the pillars of industry. Through their stories we have shown that the key to success in this new millennium requires a comprehensive systems approach. That approach encompasses the DIGITAL approach we have set forth.

We have seen that for the Latinx leaders of today to be prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow they must be ready to be intentional decision‐makers who bring communication, commitment, capacity building, and community that is centrally Latino to high‐pressure situations, which will continue to increase with the rate of exponential change in this new digital age. We have seen how Latina and Latino have done this to transform boardrooms across the United States and across industry sectors.

We learned that intelligence is integral for the evolution of the future Latinx leader. This intelligence must be not just external but internal as well. It must encompass not only objective data but emotional intelligence to our fellow humanity and to self‐care. This is essential for leaders to maintain servant leadership and not lose the core ethos of their vision and values. It is critical for managing individuals and groups who are bombarded with the ever‐growing complexity of life and work balance in this new digital age.

This helps lead into the next stage of the DIGITAL evolution, which is maintaining an inspirational vision that can lead people in this new age. Throughout human history, visionary leaders have always been a part of any revolution. This ability to be a revolutionary leader has now been opened to any and every individual due to the expansion of the internet, social media, and instant communication from any person, anywhere, at any moment. Technology has transported this power from only the pinnacles of power to the fingertips of all in the span of a few decades. This power carries with it a responsibility to DIGITAL leaders to lead wisely and with empathetic intentionality to do well and do good for shareholders, employees, and the world.

The evolution of inclusion is foundational to Latinx leaders and organizations that wish to lead in today's DIGITAL age. We have seen the consequences and disparities that the lack of inclusion has caused throughout history. We have seen how systemic inequalities have led to growing disparities for those who do not conform to the normative majority. As the Latinx community evolves into the majority in the decades to come, we must learn from the mistakes of the past and determine to never repeat them. We know that inclusion has been the driving force of innovation and success for all industries. Our future leaders must embody this ethos as we continue to fight for diversity, equity, and inclusion for all.

Technology will continue to lead the way in this new age of DIGITAL evolution. As technology has evolved, so too have the successful leaders of today. The Latinx leaders of tomorrow must continue to harness emerging technology to transform companies and sectors across the world. But we have to be cognizant that for this to occur we must ensure that the digital divide is defeated. This continues to be a stumbling block to BIPOC communities that must be addressed by a savvy combination of public–private partnerships. Education hinges on access. There is nothing today that cannot be overcome through education, but we must ensure that our future Latinx leaders have the appropriate tools to build that future. The foundation of technology must start early for those skillsets to flourish.

At the core of innovation and entrepreneurship lies abundance, which comes from the arts, media, and entertainment. We see that for future STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) leaders, the addition of abundance and the arts to create STEAM is key. This addition is central to our shared humanity and is the cornerstone of the Latino community. By infusing our culture into all that we do, we bring and ensure abundance for all. The arts is the spark of humanity that allows a functional communication tool to turn into the icon we now know as the iPhone. This has been at the root of humanity's greatest thinkers, from Leonardo to Einstein, and must be incorporated for Latinx leaders to lead the future of human‐centered innovation.

To whom much is given, much is required. As the Latinx leaders of tomorrow continue to expand their scope and reach, we must remember to use our newfound power to leverage expanded access for those who follow. As mi abuelo used to say, “José, make two free clinics for every one that makes you money.” We must learn the importance of harnessing leverage to expand innovation within our sectors and throughout our community. In the end, the utilization of this leverage to expand the return on investment for our communities is economical, strategic, and the fuel for the engine of innovation for Latinx leaders.

The DIGITAL evolution of the future Latinx leader is driven by the principles – Decision Making, Intelligence, Game Plan, Inclusion, Technology, Abundance, and Leverage. We have seen how the Latinx leaders of today have used aspects of this design throughout their careers to climb higher, reach further, and continue to shatter glass ceilings throughout industries. The legendary Latinx leaders of today have shown us what it takes to become the titans of tomorrow. Throughout all the lessons of innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, one lesson rises above the rest – education. The importance of inspiring our future Latinx leaders must begin with STEAM education, both formal and informal. We must provide inspiration to them at all levels of growth. We must plant the seeds of inspiration that will lead to dreams and stories of their choosing. Inspiration and innovation must be nurtured and must be conveyed to the future generations through media education. If they can't see it, they can't be it. We must continue to pursue policies that will eliminate the digital divide that plagues BIPOC communities to ensure that the methods in which STEAM education reaches our communities are not hampered. STEAM education must be imbued into all aspects of future generations' lives. This is the way to lead the formation of the future DIGITAL Latinx leaders of tomorrow. This is our time to lead the industries of earth today and in the industries in the stars tomorrow – Ad astra.