As the engineering and consulting firm LUZCO Technologies sharpens its systems and broadens its reach, Haberberger is deftly guiding the company’s steady growth. She credits team members such as Ramon Ligabo, whose expertise with Lean Six Sigma helped transform LUZCO from a fast-moving startup into a process-driven company. “His focus on continuous improvement and ability to turn ideas into systems have shaped the way LUZCO operates today and set us on a strong path for the future,” she says.
2026 QUESTIONNAIRE
What advice would you give to the next generation of St. Louis entrepreneurs or leaders? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. St. Louis has an incredible community of people who want to see you succeed. Find those who believe in you, lean on their support, and pay it forward when it’s your turn.
What’s a risk you took in business that didn’t pan out—but taught you something valuable? In our early years, like many new companies, we wanted to take on as much work as possible. We stretched ourselves thin, chasing clients across the country. It didn’t take long to realize that this approach wasn’t sustainable. That experience taught us the importance of focus, building relationships and delivering quality work in select areas before expanding further. Since shifting our strategy, we’ve seen far greater success and stability.
What do you do when you’re feeling stuck or uninspired? I turn to my team. I’m fortunate to work alongside incredibly talented, motivated people. Talking with them always sparks new ideas and reenergizes me.
Who in your company (or industry) deserves more recognition for their impact? Ramon Ligabo truly deserves more recognition for the impact he’s had at LUZCO. He began by providing support for our project managers, but he quickly stood out for his ability to see the bigger picture. With his Lean Six Sigma training and passion for process improvement, Ramon applied those concepts to bring organization and structure to what was then a fast-moving startup. He helped transform LUZCO into a well-documented, process-driven company by developing performance indicators, management plans, safety audits, and the POS structure that holds us to a higher standard. His focus on continuous improvement and ability to turn ideas into systems have shaped the way LUZCO operates today and set us on a strong path for the future.
What’s a local organization, nonprofit, or initiative that more people should know about—and why? The International Mentoring Program is an incredible initiative that more people should know about. They support individuals who are new to our community, often from other countries. We’ve had the privilege of partnering with them to provide mentorship, and through this program, we’ve welcomed several amazing Familia members to LUZCO. Their work helps newcomers feel connected, supported, and valued.
2025 QUESTIONNAIRE
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
What has you most excited about the future of your company or industry? I am most excited about the growth we are experiencing at LUZCO and the strong sense of community we’re building through this expansion. The energy industry is rapidly expanding, modernizing, and revolutionizing the world. Being part of this transformative period is thrilling, and I am eager to see how LUZCO will contribute to this growth with the health of our planet in mind. Our focus on innovation and sustainability positions us to play a vital role in shaping the future of energy. I’m also excited to announce that we are soon launching “Luzco University,” an internal program we’ve been developing to help cultivate leadership within LUZCO. I believe that by developing our people, we will, in turn, develop their families, and ultimately, our communities.
If you could change one thing about your industry, what would it be and why? I would focus on increasing the inclusion of women in engineering. While we are seeing more women entering the field, there is still significant progress to be made. Women are underrepresented in the energy industry, and as a woman myself, I am a strong advocate for improving this. Encouraging more women to join and thrive in engineering will bring diverse perspectives and innovative solutions, strengthening our industry as a whole.
What’s the toughest business challenge you’ve had to overcome (excluding the pandemic) and why? Recently, LUZCO encountered a significant challenge when two key members of our executive team left to start a competing company. The sudden loss of essential team members is difficult for any organization, especially one like LUZCO, which is experiencing rapid growth. Fortunately, we had capable individuals within our team who stepped up to maintain our momentum while we conducted a search for their replacements. This challenge also provided an excellent opportunity to identify new executive leaders whose vision closely aligns with LUZCO’s goals of growth and excellence. We are pleased to welcome two new executives who have seamlessly integrated into their roles and shown great potential in advancing LUZCO’s growth while upholding our high standards.
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MENTORS & PEERS
To whom or where do you go for sound business advice? I turn to my Vistage CEO group for sound business advice. It’s a diverse cohort of business owners from various industries and backgrounds, with experience ranging from 4 to 20 years as owners. This group offers a wealth of experience, best practices, and valuable insights from those who have been in similar situations before.
Do you have a business mentor? If so, who and why? Yes, I have two business mentors. Mark Thom, the CEO of Mitek, headquartered in St. Louis, has been a tremendous influence. He’s an incredible business leader with experience as the CEO of multiple companies and an entrepreneur who ran his own coaching practice before joining Mitek. His wealth of knowledge provides invaluable insights. Shawn Shukar, the president of ATX, is another mentor and a tremendous friend. He offers a unique perspective from both an owner’s and a client’s viewpoint, which is invaluable in understanding the nuances of managing projects in this industry.
What piece of advice has had the most significant impact on your career? The most impactful piece of advice in my career came early on: “Be the best you can be, even if your job is sweeping floors. Take pride in what you do.” This mindset instilled a strong work ethic and attention to detail that has carried through my entire career. Later, after owning LUZCO, another crucial piece of advice was the importance of working on the business rather than in the business. This shift in focus‚Äîrealizing that strategic delegation and letting go of day-to-day tasks is essential for sustainability‚Äîallowed me to trust my team and concentrate on growing the company and building strong relationships. This insight, which led us to adopt the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), has been transformative for LUZCO’s success.
If you could have dinner with any two area business leaders, who would you choose and why? If I could have dinner with any two area business leaders, I would choose Bob Chapman, author of Everybody Matters, to discuss his visionary approach to fostering a family-oriented culture in the manufacturing industry. I would also invite Chrissy Taylor, CEO of Enterprise Holdings. I’m interested in learning how she has managed to drive growth while maintaining the company’s family business values.
Who is the most interesting under-the-radar/emerging business leader in St. Louis and why? One of the most interesting under-the-radar emerging business leaders in St. Louis is Angelica Harris, founder of Top Tutors For Us . She has created a vital educational service that connects Black students with highly qualified tutors who reflect their own identities and experiences. This unique approach not only provides academic support but also empowers students by promoting representation and cultural connection. Angelica’s focus on creating educational equity through personalized, relatable support makes her an innovative and impactful leader in the St. Louis business community.
What is one thing you would change about the St. Louis metro area business environment and why? I wouldn’t change much about the St. Louis metro area business environment, as we have great resources like Greater STL, various ethnic chambers, Cortex, and Arch STL for grants. The city has even been recognized as a top 10 innovation city in the US. What I would focus on is promoting these strengths more widely, so when people think of St. Louis, they see it as a hub of innovation rather than being associated with negative aspects like violence.
BACKGROUND
Where were you born? Caracas, Venezuela
What was your childhood aspiration? From a young age, I aspired to become an engineer, influenced by both my parents, who were also engineers. I vividly remember learning about cell phones for the first time and being fascinated by them. I couldn’t stop asking questions and had an insatiable curiosity to understand how they worked inside and out. This early passion for technology and problem-solving naturally led me to pursue a career in engineering.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job wasn’t a paid position, but it was a significant responsibility. At the age of 13, while my parents were in the U.S. for my dad’s cancer treatment, my mom entrusted me with managing our household expenditures. I was responsible for ensuring that all bills, including credit card payments and the mortgage, were paid on time. She left me with a package of signed checks and addresses. From this experience, I learned the importance of being frugal with money, understanding the difference between needs and wants, and realizing that we are often more capable than we initially believe.
What educational degrees do you hold, and where were they earned? Bachelors in Engineering, University of Texas at Austin; master’s in electrical engineering at Cal State Los Angeles. MBA, UCLA
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
If you were not in your current profession, what would you be doing and why? If I weren’t in my current profession, I would likely be teaching calculus. I have a deep passion for math and a strong desire to help the next generation reach their full potential. Teaching would allow me to combine these interests and make a positive impact on students’ lives.
What is your favorite St. Louis-area restaurant, and what do you typically order there? Asador del Sur, Maplewood, anything with chimichurri.
What is one item you recently crossed off your bucket list? One item I recently crossed off my bucket list was showing my children my homeland of Venezuela. It was a wonderful experience to share my origins with them and introduce them to family members they had never met before.
What is one book you think everyone should read (or podcast everyone should listen to) and why? I recommend everyone read Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. The book emphasizes that effective leadership begins with self-reflection. Instead of looking for faults in others, it encourages starting with yourself and finding ways to achieve your goals and address your needs.
What’s your hobby/passion? Before having kids, my passion was traveling the world. Now, my focus has shifted to watching my children grow and experience life.
What is your most prized possession? My husband, Dan, two boys and two huge dogs Chamo and Pana
What would people be surprised to learn about you—a fun fact? My favorite movie trilogy is The Godfather.
What is your go-to karaoke song? Anything by Shakira, but “Try Everything” by Shakira is currently No. 1.
