Terriekka Cardenas is the Founder and CEO of Perceptive Engineering and PECS, LLC Construction Services, LLC (PECS) in Dallas, TX, a full-service engineering and construction management firm. The firm was founded in 2015 and was nominated as the AEC firm of the year for 2019 by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association. She holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Tulsa, a minor in Math & Science. Terriekka is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She is also a certified Quality Professional & Auditor, Project Manager, Corporate Trainer, and Computer-Aided Drafting Designer. Terriekka is a proud alum of the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, leaving an indelible mark on business and innovation She has worked in the industrial manufacturing and construction industry for over 20 years in varied capacities and department leadership roles. Within these roles, Terriekka has worked as a superb strategist and business planner, leading cross-functional, multidisciplinary teams to achieve demanding production, quality, and cost-containment goals.. She has had the opportunity to support design of multimillion dollar processing equipment facilities, research and develop new products and processes, and drive safety and process improvement initiatives to exceed departmental physical and financial goals for Fortunate 500 companies such as Ecolab, Pepsi, Valspar (Sherman Williams), Interceramic, and Polynt (Hexion).
Beyond her impactful contributions within the industrial sector, Terriekka’s dedication to fostering a brighter future shines through her substantial involvement in STEM/STEAM advocacy. Her company’s outreach arm, Full STEAM Ahead! has made a firm commitment to further access of STEM/STEAM education to under-championed youth and girls. She has dedicated considerable time to outreach efforts, collaborating with local and international organizations to create STEM/STEAM and Workforce Programs.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for SimiDigi, Inc, Safwrd, Inc., Persistence Development Foundation, Codestream Studios, Inc., and Women in STEM Leadership. She is the Executive Chair of the Investment Committee for the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Co-chair of the Alumnae Committee for the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center (NEC), and Heritage Giving Circle. She holds active memberships in the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Women Advancing Technology Together (WATT), DFW Alliance of Women in Technology, Association of Professional Women in Construction, and the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association. With a solid dedication for industry advancement and equitable STEM/STEAM education, Terriekka Cardenas continues to reshape the landscape of engineering and advocacy in Dallas and beyond.
