Consuelo Poland Lockhart's journey from her early days in Guatemala to becoming an advocate for marginalized communities has its roots in Traverse City, Michigan, where she grew up feeling isolated due to the lack of diversity. This feeling of not fitting in, despite a solid education, planted the seeds for her future work. In 2006, at the age of 17, Consuelo's life took a pivotal turn when she reunited with her biological family, an experience that profoundly influenced her perspective and ambitions.

Armed with a BFA in Functional Art and a welding certification, Consuelo's commitment to social and economic change was further fueled by her personal narrative. Moving to Indianapolis in 2016, she took the helm of Ruckus Makerspace and established the Latinas Welding Guild Inc in 2017, a response to her struggles with discrimination and the barriers in male-dominated fields. This venture aimed to create a nurturing space for learning and growth that Consuelo wished had existed for her.

In 2023, as Executive Director of Project Azul, which merged with the Latinas Welding Guild, Consuelo led the organization into a new phase. This expansion enabled the Guild to offer a wider range of trades, broadening its impact and reach within the community. Consuelo’s narrative is a testament to turning personal challenges into avenues for collective empowerment, ensuring that others find the belonging and opportunities she once sought for herself.

In honor of the fellow business owners in your life that had an impact on you becoming the person you are today, let’s celebrate them. Click this link to apply to be on our podcast to recognize those people: https://www.BeMADTogether.com