Meet The Team

Manny Vasquez
Manny is a first-generation American, high-school and college graduate, doctoral candidate and entrepreneur. He’s an internal consultant at a Fortune 100 company, an avid real estate investor and the founder of The Grit In Me LLC.
Manny first identifies as a kid from El Paso, Texas who ultimately aspires to experience the world through the benevolence of his border town roots. His passion for connecting and supporting others stems from his family and self-identity which transcends two countries, two languages and two progressively distant generations.
“We must develop the capacity to see [each other] not as [we] are at present but as [what we] may become”

Barbara Robles
Barbara spent most of her childhood in the border towns of Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico. Her formal education is in marketing and finance and is currently pursuing a M.A. in curriculum and instruction. Although she might be hesitant to take on a new endeavor at first, she doesn’t shy away from jumping in head first – learning and iterating along the process. Barbara takes pride in her personal growth journey and owns the obstacles she has/is facing as hurdles she has and will overcome.
“Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.”

Carlos Constancio
Carlos was born on the South Side of San Antonio, Texas and has lived in the city his entire life.
He dropped out of high school as a freshman but acquired his GED at the age of 18. He made the decision to further his education and went on to become the first college graduate in his family (youngest of 7 brothers).
Carlos received his MBA with a specialization in Data & Analytics. His passion is in assisting others realize their untapped potential regardless of their past or missteps.
​
"The chances you take, the people you meet, the people you love, the faith that you have. That's what's going to define you"
-Denzel Washington

Samantha Salazar
Samantha is a communication studies major at St. Mary's University. She was born and raised in League City, Texas and is a second-generation college student. Samantha hopes to purse a career in multi-media production, specifically video editing. Her biggest passion and motivation in life is storytelling. Whether it is through written or spoken word, Samantha is dedicated to telling the stories of others, especially those who cannot tell it themselves.
"Believe you can and you're halfway there."
-Theodore Roosevelt

Kimberly Salazar
Kimberly is a psychology major at St. Mary's University. She hopes to pursue a career in clinical or counseling psychology. She is a second-generation college student from League City, Texas. Kimberly is passionate about research and understanding human and animal behavior better. She believes research is they key to better society as a whole.
“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."
-Norman Vincent Peale

Kalvaugn
George
Kalvaugn is currently a San Antonio College Kinesiology major, the current president of the Men’s Empowerment Network at San Antonio College, and Director of Communication and Outreach for The Grit In Me.
Kalvaugn would like to play a role in addressing social injustices but acknowledges that he must first understand himself, the role he plays in his family, community and school. Through this introspective period, he is actively exploring his interests in programs, non-profits, and careers that are focused on making a difference.