Hard Work Is Not Enough: Why Agency Matters | The LIV Lab Episode 20 ft. Libardo Lara Peñaranda

What happens when you stop waiting for opportunities and start creating them?

In this episode, I sit down with Libardo Lara Peñaranda, Principal Partner Technical Specialist at IBM, whose story shows how taking agency can transform your career and your life. Growing up in Colombia, Libardo began in mechanical engineering but made the bold choice to add a second degree in systems and software. That decision set him on a path that carried him from designing his first system for a nonprofit, to solving complex data problems for banks and telecoms at IBM, to moving to the U.S. for a master's in data science at Johns Hopkins—all while balancing work and family.

We dig deep into what taking agency really looks like: making decisions before you feel fully ready, planning your next step even while excelling in your current role, and learning to balance sacrifice with vision. Along the way, Libardo opens up about the world of data science—what the work actually involves day to day, how math and statistics underpin the field, and where AI is heading as it becomes an everyday tool rather than a job replacer.

If you've ever felt like you're working hard but not steering where you're headed, this episode is a reminder that agency—not chance—is what shapes your future.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Lab

00:44 Introducing Lo Bardo: A Journey from Columbia to Data Science

02:01 Career Reflections and Advice from Lo Bardo

03:27 Educational Background and Career Beginnings

05:24 Transition to Software Engineering

11:40 Consulting and Data Analytics at IBM

14:12 Pursuing a Master's in Data Science in the US

25:01 The Role of Math and Statistics in Data Science

28:40 Current Role and Future of AI

36:52 Final Thoughts and Takeaways