LunaCap Foundation

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” - Gandalf This week’s LunaCap Foundation Scholar is Ellis Valdez.  Ellis was born and raised in Modesto, California as the second eldest of four boys.  He is a second-generation Mexican American; his mother’s parents grew up in Michoacan, Mexico and his father’s parents grew up in the area now known as New Mexico after it was annexed by the United States in 1846.  Ellis does not come from a military family, aside from his grandfather who served in the Army during the Korean Conflict.  It was therefore a surprise to his high school of 112 students when he felt the call to serve and attend the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. Ellis attended West Point for two years before he felt the call for another mission, this time to serve as a religious volunteer for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Resistencia, Argentina. During this two-year mission, he provided ecclesiastical support to local congregations and assisted with community development in impoverished areas. During this time, Ellis witnessed extreme poverty that he had not seen before, to include houses made from trash and dirt roads. This experience led him down a path that helped him rediscover his Latino heritage. He mastered the Spanish language and learned up-close the perspective of his ancestors before they emigrated to the United States. After the two-year mission, Ellis returned to West Point, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology in 2017. Upon graduation from West Point, Ellis commissioned as an Engineer officer in the United States Army.  Ellis began his military career at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii serving as an Engineer Officer with 2nd Brigade 25th Infantry Division.  He held multiple roles at the unit including Sapper Platoon Leader and Task Force Engineer where he deployed to Australia and Indonesia for joint training with international partners. He then received orders to Fort Bragg, NC to serve as the Brigade Engineer for the 528th Sustainment Brigade in support of Special Operations. Prior to leaving the service, Ellis finished his active-duty career as a recruiting Company Commander in Gainesville, Florida.  Ellis left active duty with the rank of Captain as well as Sapper, Airborne, and Air Assault qualifications. After his military career, Ellis wanted to return to the tech world and leverage his leadership experience to help drive tech innovation. He was accepted to attend the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business and will graduate with an MBA in 2025.  After graduation he hopes to pursue a career as a product manager at a major tech company. In his free time, you can find Ellis spending time with his wife and two young boys, free-diving, travelling, or weight lifting as he attempts to rejoin the 1,000 pound club for bench press, dead lift and squat. Texas McCombs School of Business #Army

This week’s LunaCap Foundation Scholar is Kisshan Sankar. Growing up near Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland, Kisshan was influenced by military families post-9/11, - along with healthy doses of movies like “Top Gun,” - which led him to the United States Naval Academy. Despite a fear of swimming, he chose the Navy, seeing it as a challenge to conquer. The Academy also allowed him to integrate his interests in economics and finance, earning a B.S. in Quantitative Economics. As an undergraduate, he organized trips to the Federal Reserve and investment banks and developed a passion for studying topics like economic development and terrorist financing.   After graduating in 2015, Kisshan served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the Navy. He served on the USS CARNEY, a guided-missile destroyer based in Spain, completing three deployments across the Black Sea, Baltics, and the Mediterranean. Seeking further challenges, he transferred to the USS GLADIATOR, a mine countermeasures ship stationed in Bahrain, where he held diverse leadership roles, most recently overseeing seven cross-functional teams in the Operations Department. His leadership style focuses on personal connections, servant leadership, and pursuing excellence. Working with junior sailors was one of the most rewarding aspects of his naval career, and he plans to utilize those lessons while leading high-performing organizations.   Currently, Kisshan is a Lieutenant in the Naval Reserves in Newport, RI, working on NATO’s strategic planning and policy. Post-active duty, he completed internships with UBS (investment strategy) and the Aavishkaar Group (impact investing). He is currently working as a summer associate at Goldman Sachs’ healthcare investment banking division, exploring a career in finance that improves the intersection of business and society.   In 2022, Kisshan began a dual-degree program at Yale, aiming to graduate with a Master’s in Public Policy focused on economics and an MBA. At Yale, he advised an AI-based infection diagnosis startup, worked as a teaching fellow for Global Health and Statistics classes, served as the co-presided for the MIINT MBA Impact Investing competition, was the Executive Editor for the Yale Journal of International Affairs, and is selected as a Yale Ventures Associate for the upcoming year. His long-term goal is to use these experiences to improve development in low, middle-income, and post-conflict countries.   In his free time, Kisshan seeks new adventures. He recently joined the Yale Grad Rugby Team, climbed to Mount Everest's base camp, continued overcoming his fear of water by scuba diving with sharks in the Galapagos Islands, and encountered a lion fight while on safari, visiting his 42nd country - Kenya. His next adventure awaits. #WeAreLunaCap #FutureLeaders #Veterans #Inspiration #MBA

Inspiration is a powerful cycle. By lifting others, we create a ripple effect that enriches our entire community. At LunaCap Foundation we are committed to fostering leadership and growth that inspire change. Join us in our mission to inspire and be inspired. Let's make a difference together. #Leadership #Inspiration #LunaCapFoundation

As we celebrate Independence Day, we honor the courage and sacrifices of those who have served our country. Today, let's come together to appreciate our shared values of freedom, unity, and opportunities. Whether you're enjoying a barbecue, watching fireworks, or spending time with loved ones, we hope you have a wonderful and safe holiday. What are your favorite 4th of July traditions? #4thOfJuly #IndependenceDay #WeAreLunaCap #Veterans #MexicanAmerican

“Leadership is legacy. It’s about leaving the organization better than you found it. What separates the best leaders is the personal aspect – it can be as simple as a leader being someone you feel comfortable talking to.” RJ Ortega, a LunaCap Foundation Class of 2025 Scholar, was born and raised in New Jersey to a family with a long history of service in the United States military. RJ is not only a proud veteran, but also second generation Mexican-American. Early in his life, RJ recognized that he needed a crash course in discipline; following the example set forth by his father, a West Point graduate and U.S. Army Green Beret, he decided to enlist in the Army. In the Army, RJ very quickly found that he had developed a newfound purpose, which was reinforced when his senior leaders recommended him to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. Having begun his career as an enlisted Infantryman, RJ graduated from West Point in 2017 and served the remainder of his time in service as an Infantry Officer. The most rewarding experiences RJ had as an Infantry Officer were mentoring both enlisted soldiers and junior officers, using his past experiences to provide them with guidance that allowed them to excel as he did. Since separating from the Army in December 2022, RJ has made the most of his transition out of the military, having completed internships in private equity and credit investment at LFM Capital and Guggenheim Partners, respectively. RJ is currently pursuing an MBA at The Wharton School, after which he plans to pursue a career in Investment Banking. His long-term goal is to take on a leadership position in a financial services firm, where he could use his platform to promote a more diverse and inclusive work environment, helping fellow veterans and Mexican-Americans in the industry. #WeAreLunaCap #leadership #veterans #mexicanamericans #mba The Wharton School Paul Capon

Our virtual introduction call for the LunaCap 2026 Cohort was a tremendous success. Our talented new scholars came together to connect, share experiences, and immerse themselves in the foundation’s mission and core values. Led by our Founder, Paul Capon, the session set the stage for a year of impactful networking and growth, highlighting upcoming events and opportunities. A big thank you to everyone who participated. Your enthusiasm and commitment are vital to our mission of fostering a strong, supportive community dedicated to make a positive impact that extends far beyond our organization. Join us in our journey to create lasting change together! Paul Capon #WeAreLunaCap #Leadership #MBA #Veterans #MexicanDescent #PositiveImpact

“Lift as you climb.” At LunaCap Foundation, we believe in the power of shared stories to inspire and uplift. Today, we are proud to present the story of Mireya Iglesias Ayala. Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Mireya graduated from Georgetown University in 2019 with a double major in Marketing and International Business. Following graduation, Mireya spent the next four years at PepsiCo where she worked in the Multicultural Business Unit, providing a voice to consumers across various markets.  As a first-generation Mexican-American, Mireya is deeply passionate about delivering impact and helping minority / first generation students achieve a college education. In 2022, she founded the Envisions Project, a scholarship for minority students at her high school which provides a stipend and mentorship to those that are pursuing college outside of her home state. Mireya hopes to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion across business by being in a position to influence change at the executive level.  Pursuant to her aspirations, Mireya is currently at Harvard Business School where she continues to sharpen her skills as a leader in business. Following graduation from business school, Mireya plans to work in management consulting where she can not only learn about the various dimensions of business, but also gain insight into executive decision making at the world’s most influential companies.  Understanding the value that diversity can bring to any business, Mireya hopes that other minorities entering the business space can lean into their true selves in order to deliver impact and implement change. Join us in celebrating Mireya’s inspiring journey and her commitment to making a difference.   #InspiringJourneys #WeAreLunaCap #Leadership #DiversityAndInclusion #Mentorship #Empowerment #ChangeMakers Mireya Iglesias Ayala Harvard Business School Paul Capon

On this Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave men and women who served our nation with dedication and courage. As we reflect on their legacy, we express our deepest gratitude for their invaluable service. Your bravery and commitment will always be remembered. #MemorialDay #HonorOurHeroes

🎉 Welcome to this year’s class of LunaCap scholars! 🤲 We are thrilled to congratulate the exceptional individuals who have been selected to join our LunaCap community this year. Your talent, dedication, and vision have truly impressed us, and we are excited to support you on this next chapter of your personal and professional journey. Together, we will continue working to make a positive impact that extends far beyond our organization. A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing individuals who applied this year. Your passion and achievements made the selection process incredibly challenging, and we are grateful for your interest and effort. #WeAreLunaCap #Classof2026 #MBA #Veterans #Mexicans #Community #Leadership #SendtheElevatorBack Paul Capon

¡Feliz Día del Maestro! Today, as Mexico celebrates Teacher's Day, #LunaCap extends heartfelt appreciation to all educators who, with their passion and commitment, shape the future of entire generations. Thank you for inspiring and changing the world. Hoy México celebra el Día del Maestro y en #LunaCap extendemos nuestro más sincero agradecimiento y reconocimiento a todos los maestros y maestras que, con su pasión y compromiso, transforman la vida de generaciones enteras. Gracias por inspirar y cambiar el mundo. #TeachersDay #Educators #Mexico #DiadelMaestro #ChangetheWorld