THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LATINAS SPECIAL EDITION
LIKE..
www.latinoleaders.com
LIZ AGOSTO NELLIE BORRERO KIM CASSIANO LISA FERIA VERONICA MUZQUIZ CLAUDIA ROMO ALICIA ABELLA MARIANA ATENCIO AND MORE…
THE POWER OF MENTORSHIP A Q&A WITH MENTOR AND MENTEE
THE BEAUTY OF LATINAS HOW LATINA ROLE MODELS ARE MORE INFLUENTIAL, INSPIRATIONAL AND SUCCESSFUL THAN EVER. WITH SPECIAL INTRODUCTION BY
NINA VACA
LATINOS IN PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
JORGE RODRIGUEZ PRESIDENT & CEO CLARO USA
A LEADER IN THE DIGITAL EDGE
INTERVIEW WITH
HENRY CISNEROS
FROM LEADING AMERICAN TRIPLE I PARTNERS FIRM
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STAY UP TO DATE Be up to date with the upcoming events for 2019. Check out our main website and other platforms for our biggest events of the year–Maestros and the Latino Franchise Symposium! l atinole adersmaga zine . com
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CONTENTS
MAY / JUNE 2019
FOLLOW US LatinoLeadersMagazine
Carolina Jannicelli
46 TOYOTA- Toyota had the job to create awareness among the Hispanic community, about the Takata Airbag Safety Recall. Through campaigns, Toyota was able to educate loyal customers on safety of their families. 48 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE- The first-ever feature of the world of Public Infrastructure. In this edition, we feature leaders that have dedicated their lives to the advancement of infrastructure technologies. Leaders like Jorge Rodriguez from CLARO, Dennis Arriola from Sempra Energy, Judy Martinez from Siemens and others. The world of public infrastructure is ever-changing. New technologies surface every few years, and with that new processes, policies, must be in place. In these pages, we talk to Latinos making the decisions and we talk about the role Latinos can play in public infrastructure. IN EVERY EDITION: 4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER 6 EDITOR’S LETTER 8 COMERICA 9 DE LA VEGA ON LEADERSHIP 64 CELLAR
7 IBERBRAND – Francisco Capetillo-Traeger is partner at IBERBRAND. In this installment, we discuss the services provided by this firm. 10 CTCA- A survivor’s perspective. We meet Dr. Perre, a survivor as well as a cancer doctor, and we focus on his inspirational story and his experience being on both sides, and ultimately his celebration of life. 12 THE BEAUTY OF LATINAS: PROUD, BRAVE & STRONG- A collection of stories of some of the top women that have created their destiny. They have faced all faced different adversities but nonetheless, they have reached their goals. These women come from different industries, women like Mariana Atencio, a correspondent from NBC/ MSNBC, like Lorna Rodriguez, a doctor from City of Hope, like Angeles Van Ryzin, an engineer from Kia Motors, like Claudia Romo Edelman, inclusion and representation advocate from We Are All Human, like the TechnoloCHICAS, whom are young Latinas looking for grand opportunities in STEM, and many other Latinas. We also include a list of the Most Influential Latinas. This list is composed of some of the most influential women who depict the true beauty of a Latina.
Jorge Baldor
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PUBLISHERS
Publisher Jorge Ferraez
President and CEO Raul Ferraez
Administrative Director Lawrence Teodoro Editor Sarai Vega svega@latinoleaders.com Business Development Manager Cristina Gonzalez cristina@latinoleaders.com Art Director Fernando Izquierdo Editorial Art & Design Carlos Cuevas Luis Enrique González Moisés Cervantes
NOTHING MORE REWARDING than the editing of our Beauty of Latinas edition. Although many people thought the word “beauty” would be a little inappropriate, we wanted to go ahead with the idea that beauty is a general concept that applies not only to physical beauty but also to all things done with passion, love, and hard work; which is precisely what we witnessed while researching and editing this edition. Happy to say that our collaboration with ALPFA and their 50 Most Powerful Latinas index is a very good eye-opener and guide, we’re including more than 95 outstanding and beautiful Latinas that are leading, thriving and inspiring others to become leaders and succeed. Our group of advisors and collaborators, like Nina Vaca, Esther Aguilera, Mariana Gutierrez, the USHCC and others gave our editorial team a great guide and helped us identify many up and coming Latinas that will be in many other leadership and relevance indexes in the future as well. Thanks to them we were able to profile and interview for this edition great examples of leadership and talent like: Liz Agosto from BNY Mellon, Nellie Borrero, Lisa Feria, Lorna Rodriguez, Mariana Atencio, Patricia Rodriguez, Debbie Goldschmied, Angeles Van Ryzin, Claudia Romo, Sandra Rivera, Veronica Musquiz, Catherine Hernandez Blades, and many more. All of them fantastic personal stories, that have given us a truly panoramic vision on where Latinas are now! And thanks to a call from Henry Cisneros that we received back in March, we gave birth to his proposal to do, for the first time, a feature on Latinos on Public Infrastructure; a fantastic opportunity to take a look into the vibrant and dynamic sector of the economy, which is vital to keep growing and in which many Latinos are starting to participate. Companies like Claro USA, under the leadership of a visionary man: Jorge Rodriguez, American Triple I Partners, The North American Development Bank, and Latino owned construction, technological, power, oil & gas and transportation companies are surging as the new leaders in this industry.
Human Resources Manager Susana Sanchez Administration and Bookkeeping Claudia García Bejarano Executive Assistant to the Publishers Liliana Morales Digital Media & Design Manager Mia Carrera mcarrera@latinoleaders.com Administrative Assistant & Event Coordinator Paola Aleman paola@latinoleaders.com For advertising inquiries, please call 214-206-9587
Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino (ISSN 1529-3998) is published seven times annually by Ferraez Publications of America Corp., 11300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX, 75243, November/ December 2018. Subscription rates: In U.S. and possessions, one year $15.00. Checks payable to Ferraez Publications of America, 15443 Knoll Trail, Suite 210, 75248 Dallas, TX, USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Latino Leaders, 15443 Knoll Trail, Suite 210, 75248 Dallas, TX, USA.© 2001 by Ferraez Publications of America Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the consent of Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino. The periodical’s name and logo, and the various titles and headings therein, are trademarks of Ferraez Publications of America Corp.
Member of The National Association of Hispanic Publications
Enjoy this edition.
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Reg. # 283/01
MEMBER OF SRDS
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Latino Leaders The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino 11300 N. Central Expressway, Suite 300, Dallas, TX, 75243 Phone: 214-206-9587 / Fax: (214) 206-4970
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EDITORS
T
he future is TRULY female…
History is being made. We are living in times where the woman is putting into motion her great potential. We are witnessing the rise of the woman. What a great time to be alive! To be able to see the transition of a long-established custom as the marginalization of women into the full inclusion and placement in the highest positions, it’s amazing! Women have fought for thousands of years to be given opportunities that will further her professionally, educationally, in business, and in office. But for Latinas, the fight is even tougher. The fight to be taken into consideration; the fight for equal pay; the fight to be heard; the fight to be provided with the same opportunities; the fight against our culture norms; the fight against machismo; the fight for equal educational opportunities; the fight for fair justice; the fight to keep families together; the fight for healthcare. In this edition, we have included the feature that has inspired me the most: Latinas. As I reviewed their stories, I couldn’t help but to think that these women are beyond beautiful. They are bold, relentless, steadfast, and unstoppable. It is our honor to have included Latinas who take up arms and go to war every day to change the stigma. Our highest respect to you all. We support you and fight with you.
SARAI VEGA EDITOR
Happy Reading! Sarai
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BUSINESS
IBERBRAND
FRANCISCO CAPETILLO-TRAEGER PARTNER AT IBERBRAND
IBERBRAND® is a specialized intellectual property firm which combines a remarkable background and experience with a fresh approach to the IP law practice in Mexico and Latin America, dealing with both Industrial and Intellectual property matters. Based in Mexico City, we provide strategic and specialized advice to protect, maintain and enforce your trademarks, patents and copyrights. We believe that it is of the utmost importance that both companies and individuals protect the brands they use to identify their products and/or services, as well as their inventions and copyrights, because these rights are one of the most important assets they can own, in some cases said rights are worth even more than their fixed assets. Therefore, it is our job at IBERBRAND to advise and work together with these companies and individuals in order to help them protect, maintain and take care of their IP rights.
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COMERICA CORNER
MEXICANTOWN BAKERY “Do what you enjoy!” No words better describe the life of Omar Hernandez, owner and operator of Mexicantown Bakery, located in Southwest Detroit, Michigan. Hernandez’s story is one of entrepreneurship and creation in his own life, influence and inspiration in the lives of others.
B
ORN IN HAVANA, Cuba, Hernandez moved to Detroit with his family in 1966. As a teenager, he learned the tricks of the trade working at various bakeries, including West Vernor Bakery, which was owned by his father. Hernandez mastered European breads, then French breads and Cuban puff pastries. Over time, he learned how to bake breads of all kinds. Everything he learned in these early years would go on to inspire the breads he would sell at Mexicantown Bakery in the future, such as their famous Tres Leches Cake. Mexicantown Bakery’s foundation was laid in 1995 with the purchase and renovation of a historic building next door to Armando’s, a Mexican restaurant owned by Hernandez’s parents that still exists today. With a loan from Comerica bank, Hernandez opened Mexicantown Bakery in the renovated space. It started out as a small retail bakery that sold some groceries as well. After a few years, Hernandez added seating and Mexicantown Bakery took on the spirit and character of a true restaurant with authentic cultural influences, delicious food and a friendly staff. With the retail bakery as a start, Hernandez capitalized on his line of credit with Comerica to purchase a warehouse for his wholesale business. With this venture, Hernandez sold Hispanic breads to supermarkets across the Midwest. The wholesale business offered all sorts of breads and pastries to distributors across the region, from bolillos to teleras and conchas. After about 15 years, Hernandez sold the wholesale side of his business, which continues to operate today. Hernandez’s relationship with Comerica was fundamentally important to the growth of his business over the years; with loans from the bank, he was able to seize opportunities like the availability of the historic building that became the first Mexicantown Bakery location. This initial loan also jumpstarted significant community building in Southwest Detroit. With the restoration of the old historic building and creation of the first Mexicantown Bakery, others began to invest in an area that had become dilapidated over the years. Old buildings were restored and brought up to code, and the area became vibrant and attractive once again. Today, Mexicantown Bakery maintains only one location, the one that started it all at 4300 West Vernor Highway. At its peak, Hernandez owned two retail locations and the wholesale service. In addition to the bakeries, Hernandez owned an entertainment club for 30 years, which was a performance center for Hispanic events. All of Hernandez’s business ventures have inspired community building in the part of Detroit that he grew up in and still calls home today. Stop by Mexicantown Bakery and Armando’s, next door! The bakery is steeped in history and the pastries are delectable. And don’t forget... Try the Tres Leches!
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Will Hollo
Courtesy
Moisés Cervantes
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LATINAS SIN LÍMITES Women have always played a very influential role in Hispanic culture. Most of us can look back and think of a woman who was the clear leader in our family, school, or neighborhood.
I
n my case, it was my grandmother. She was a strong woman who, back in Cuba, had been a teacher and a poet, all while raising seven children and influencing countless others.
Powerful role models I can’t think of an area where role models are more needed than in inspiring the next LatinX generation to complete their education. True, Latinos in general have made great strides in An early influencer education in the past decade. Just as an example, they At a critical time in my high-school years she gave me the confidence to more than doubled their share of enrollment at four-year pursue my dream of becoming an engineer. And she also taught me to colleges and universities since 1996 (from 6% to 16%). never let anyone put limits on what I could achieve. Latinos are now the largest minority segment enrolled in college, according to the latest Pew Research study. But she didn’t just influence me. That’s impressive. But if we could do that, then we I’ll never forget the seemingly endless stream of people who came to our must be able to achieve the next step, which is to increase house in Miami after she was finally able to leave Cuba. the Latino graduation rate. Those were her former students. They wanted to thank her for giving them an education. With it, they were able to leave their country and start Help them believe in their dreams all over again in the U.S. This is where influencers can make such a difference not only in a young person’s life but also in an entire generation. Today’s Latina leaders According to psychology scholars, young people are I often wonder what my grandmother would have achieved if she had most influenced when people who look, talk, and act like lived in today’s America. them assure them that they believe in their potential and Today’s Latina leaders are better educated. They are getting increasingly encourage them to pursue their dreams. involved in civic and political circles. And they are more entrepreneurial. At a time when we have the largest number of Latinas In fact, they are fueling the growth of LatinX businesses in this country. enrolled in school. It’s up to us to shine a light on the • They own 44% of LatinX businesses and represent 50% of the women featured in this issue and their cohorts. Their hard Latino growth of small businesses, according to the “State of Latino work and well-deserved success make them the kind of Entrepreneurship 2017” study. role model young Latinas (and Latinos) can relate to. • More specifically, Latinas registered a 46% increase over five years. In I believe that ultimately it’s up to all of us, Latinas and comparison, female business owners as a whole experienced a 20% Latinos working together to help today’s youth realize increase over the same period, according to the Center for American that they have the potential to become the greatest LatinX Progress on Race and Ethnicity. generation in the U.S., inspiring them to graduate, fulfill their dreams, and live their own lives without limits. The best of the best The Latinas featured in the pages of this issue are the best of the best. Sin límites! They, along with many cohorts who did not make it to this issue, have Ralph reached the highest levels in their professions, making an impact in all areas of American society. To learn more about Dr. de Lacy’s telemedicine pilot using 5G please Their hard work and well-deserved success make them powerful role visit: https://healthmanagement.org/c/icu/issuearticle/5g-opens-thefuture-of-telesurgery models for the next generation of Latinas.
Ralph de la Vega is the former vice-chairman of AT&T Inc. He is the author of the best-selling book “Obstacles Welcome: Turn Adversity to Advantage in Business and Life.” He is also a LinkedIn Influencer, posting regularly on leadership and innovation. NOVEMBER / MAY DECEMBER / JUNE 2019 2018 LATINO LEADERS 9
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HEALTH
CANCER CARE
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A DOCTOR LOOKS CLOSELY AT A SILVER LINING Have you ever noticed that just when you think you have life all figured out, a curve ball gets thrown your way? You have an idea of who you are and what your purpose is and then just like that, you’re on a different path. Life can sneak up on you like that. Timothy Baler
A
nthony Perre, MD, Director of New Patient Intake and Vice Chief of Staff at Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) Philadelphia, learned that first-hand. Formerly a primary care physician belonging to a classy regalia of professional organizations, Dr. Perre was seeking more time with his young family when he accepted the entreaties of CTCA® in 2007. To be blunt, Dr. Perre knows his stuff. At least, he thought he did. Trained at Drexel University’s College of Medicine, he could recognize cancer cells under a microscope or find them lingering on a patient’s medical chart. Like someone reading music, he could see them staring back at him as he scanned numbers on a lab report. He knew them by code and by cause and effect. He could name the disease and curse it quietly under his breath while maintaining a placid look on his face – a treating doctor in a white coat. Then one day he saw cancer in the mirror. He was 38 and weeks away from starting his new position at CTCA. Like most people, the illness crept up on him over a period of months, with seemingly random symptoms like heavy fatigue and a bronchial cough. Then one day he felt “a lymph node that was hard as a Brazil nut” under his collarbone. A colleague quickly looked him over, performed the necessary scans, and within a week he knew. He had stage II Hodgkin lymphoma and was standing, in effect, on quicksand.
Anthony Perre, MD
Nevertheless, overnight, Dr. Perre went from expert to everyman and found that this everyman was shaken to the core. His anxiety was so high he began throwing up even before chemotherapy started – “anticipatory” anxiety. His normally sharp mind was so overloaded that he had to bring his wife to medical appointments to help him recall what had been said. He went, typical of a cancer patient, from big picture fears to small detail panic attacks and back again. In his growing confusion, he consulted both a therapist and his pastor. “God expects you to do your best,” his pastor said. This gave him something to aim for. Now a 12.5-year cancer survivor, Dr. Perre is a walking allegory, a morality tale, a parable. But he is also part of a new vanguard of cancer professionals who understands not only the science of cancer, but the intensity of life as a cancer patient. And he knows that at least two elements of care on the cancer journey continuum are missing. The first, which applies to the medical community, is the lack of a broad understanding for the emotional and psychological aspects of having and surviving cancer. The second, which applies to the general public, is an understanding of the stealthy renaissance cancer treatment is undergoing. We are trained by the movies, so we expect banner headlines, but this isn’t always the case. Where these two challenges converge is a paradigm that needs much more consideration: Now that so many more people are surviving cancer, what are we going to do about it? Just look at the numbers. In the new era of the long-time drive to cure cancer, Dr. Perre says, more than 80 percent of breast cancer patients will become breast cancer survivors. People with stage II Hodgkin lymphoma patients have a 90 percent chance of
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“THERE HAVE BEEN REMARKABLE INROADS MADE, ESPECIALLY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. WE HAVE TREATMENTS THAT TARGET SPECIFIC MARKERS WITH MUCH LESS SIDE EFFECTS.”
Anthony Perre, MD, and wife, Stacy Perre
surviving their cancer ordeal. Cervical cancer, he says without blinking, can be all but eradicated with a new vaccine that cuts it down at its viral source – a cancer that also leads to cancers of the neck and head. Many cancers are stopped in their tracks if treated early. We may not remember these “headlines” though. Customized treatments are now the height of fashion in the race against cancer. Chemotherapy now targets the genetic coding in cancer cells that define the cancer’s cellular game plan, identifying specific proteins that support the cancer. Cancers, like healthy cells, rely on hospitable environments. New chemo treatments can change the equation there, as well. And, a bonus: The more exacting the treatment, the fewer the side effects – less nausea, fatigue and headaches; fewer days in bed. The latest in cancer treatment is “unbelievably exciting,” Dr. Perre said. “There have been remarkable inroads made, especially in the last five years. We have treatments that target specific markers with much less side effects. “We have transitioned from broad strokes to focus not only on the cancer, but why the patient got the cancer in the first place,” he said. But Dr. Perre also found out first-hand that there is more to cancer treatment than battling malignant cells. Survival
is the goal, but even survival has a price that can include ongoing fatigue, social isolation, financial problems, fears of relapse and other anxiety and sleep issues. At a celebration marking the end of four months of chemotherapy, he surprisingly found himself in a less than joyful mood. The fears were still there, and the party felt surreal and unjustified. It was there and then, well on his way to recovery, that Dr. Perre learned one of his most cherished lessons as a cancer survivor—the amazing value of coordinated care, which offers services like therapy to deal with the aftershock of the disease. As a cancer survivor, “I’ve learned the importance of asking and learning why,” said Dr. Perre. “Knowing this is just as important as focusing on the disease and treatment – and it can give physicians powerful insights,” he wrote. For Dr. Perre, emotional and psychological aspects of the disease have come into focus with a vengeance. He knows the aftertaste of chemotherapy – a stage he is grateful to be in – remission. It tastes funny. “After treatment, there’s a hole a lot of people fall into,” he said. Fatigue lingers. The fear of relapse can be paralyzing. “You’ve jumped out of the frying pan, but you are still afraid of touching the ground.” For Dr. Perre, survivor’s guilt also set in. On the other hand, there’s a lot of magic in the air. Physicians don’t like to use words like “magic,” but Dr. Perre has an unfettered appreciation for it. There’s family, fresh air and his new world of running that helps chase some anxiety away and gives rise to a new sense of hope. “At 51, I’m in better shape now than I ever was at 38,” says Dr. Perre, currently training for his third marathon, a feat he never even considered before this all began. And then there are all the survivors, and all the support and understanding that come from his current and former patients and the team at CTCA. Dr. Perre recalls the moment he shared his diagnosis with his new employer. He was assured that the position would be there for him, not if, but when, he reached the other side of the disease. Today, Dr. Perre plays a special role in the annual CTCA Celebrate Life event, which recognizes survivors who’ve reached their five-year mark. As both survivor and oncologist, he sees how unique and special the celebration is. The event is “magical,” Dr. Perre said. And why not? It’s a place where another survivor might turn to him and say, “We understand what you went through.” And while yes, there’s certainly a little irony there, there’s also beauty. Life can sneak up on you that way. MAY / JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 11
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LATINAS Carlos Cuevas
FOREWORD FROM NINA VACA GROWING UP, I looked up to my mother as an embodiment of true beauty, strength, and selfless dedication. She was my first role model who showed me what it means to be a proud Latina, a fearless entrepreneur, and a loving mother. She also taught me to leverage my success every step of the way to help others and advance the community. Today, not just Latinas, but all women are much more than one dimensional. We play a variety of roles – we’re wives, we’re mothers, we’re tías, we’re abuelas, we’re sisters, we’re godmothers – and we are role models for the next generation. We show our girls that they have the freedom to become scientists, doctors, entrepreneurs, engineers or anything else they wish to be. We instill in them the same confidence and ideals that our mothers once instilled in us. When we look in the mirror, we should see not just a Latina, but the powerhouse that we are all part of – a force with the potential to change the course of our families, our communities, and our country. It is not always easy, but we should continue to stand tall as strong, beautiful, independent Latinas, blazing a path for others to follow. I’ve always said that you can’t be what you can’t see. That’s why role models matter so much, especially for women and minorities. Celebrating and providing more visibility for successful Latinas who run their own companies, sit on corporate boards, or hold cabinet positions is vital for the next generation of girls who will continue to create positive change in our communities. And this is exactly why publications like Latino Leaders are so important. Latino Leaders has been a trailblazer in profiling some of the most prominent Hispanics in America, providing us with living embodiments of what we can achieve. This year marks two decades of Latino Leaders’ legacy, championing the visionaries of today and paving the way for the innovators of tomorrow. My deepest appreciation goes to Latino Leaders and its fearless leader Jorge Ferraez for having the courage and the vision to celebrate the many contributions of Latinas. The following list of female leaders spotlights women who have shattered stereotypes and broken glass ceilings across the nation. It shows that true leadership is not about money or prestige – it’s about giving back. True beauty is about getting your hands dirty and leaning in when times are hard. It’s about grit and determination. The inspiring women featured on this list capture the beauty of the Latina community – the deeper kind of beauty that goes far beyond makeup and hot irons. Because true beauty is not always glamorous. True beauty is about having a purpose that is higher than yourself. It’s about dedicating your life to others.
It’s a privilege to also highlight rising stars within the beauty industry itself, those who epitomize the tenants of true beauty and are reaching back to open the door for others. The role of Latinas within this realm and across industries will only continue to expand and drive our country forward. In the entrepreneurial world, the number of Latina-owned firms has grown by nearly 90 percent in recent years, according to Stanford’s State of Latino Entrepreneurship Report. When it comes to tech, Latinas are adopting technology at a higher pace than other women in the United States and are contributing greatly to Latino buying power, which is projected to reach a staggering $1.7 trillion by 2020, according to the Center for Talent Innovation. These waves are also reaching the highest echelons of leadership. In the latest election, 13 Latinas earned seats in Congress. Among those is the youngest woman to serve in our nation’s history, the first South American, and the first two Latinas to ever represent my own state of Texas. Latina leaders serve as advocates for the very communities that their mothers helped strengthen as the matriarchs of their families. Before the eyes of the world, the women in these pages are building upon decades of resilience and tradition to improve the lives of generations to follow. The road to success is never easy, and all of these women have overcome tough challenges to get to where they are today. And that is what makes them …truly beautiful.
EDUCATION: • Nina Vaca started Pinnacle Group in 1996 with $300 and one employee – herself. She’s since led the IT workforce solutions firm through challenging and exciting times, currently overseeing the launch of its global resource deployment platform, which utilizes machine learning (ML) and proprietary algorithms. As the daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants, Vaca credits her mother and other strong female role models for giving her the motivation to press ahead through tough times, propelling Pinnacle to become the fastestgrowing woman-owned business in the United States with a rapidly expanding global footprint, allowing Pinnacle to give back to the community even more. Vaca is also one of the few Latinas in the nation serving on corporate boards. In addition to her business leadership, she is a civic leader and philanthropist, working relentlessly to expand opportunities for minorities and women in business and for women and girls in STEM fields. In 2014, she was appointed by the White House as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, sharing her incredible personal and entrepreneurial story with government officials, business leaders, and other dignitaries in eight countries across five continents. Recently, she was elected as a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an independent, nonpartisan membership organization that provides foreign policy analysis to leaders in the U.S. and around the world. For information and inspiration, visit NinaVaca.com.
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THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LATINAS
This is the list of the most influential, powerful Latinas. These women shake the industry. They lead. They make decisions. They mentor. They advocate. They lift. They challenge. Arcilia Acosta
Liz Agosto
Anne Alonzo
CEO CARCON Industries & STL Engineers
Global COO, Information Security Division BNY Mellon
President & CEO American Egg Board
“Beauty is derived from the inside, from the heart, and from the actions that you take. It radiates in every aspect of your life. It is about having authentic power or the kind that can never be taken from you.....it is when your personality comes to serve the energy of your soul. “
Bernadette Aulestia
President of Global Distribution HBO
Esther Aguilera President & CEO Latino Corporate Directors Association
Lisa Bacus EVP, Global Chief Marketing Officer Cigna
Lisa Bombin President & CEO Unico Communications What is your idea of a perfect world? A world reflecting a beautiful blend of diverse faces, shapes, and abilities in visible positions of leadership and positively portrayed in media.
Normay Cadena Managing Partner MiLA Capital
Adela Cepeda Managing Director PFM Financial Advisors
“Latinas have a passion and drive for making real impact. We are strategic and results driven. My brand and life’s work has been to open doors of opportunity at the highest levels of leadership, in the government, non-profit, and the private sectors. At the Latino Corporate Directors' Association, I work to ensure that Latinas and Latinos have a seat at the table in corporate boardrooms across America."
Nellie Borrero Managing Director, Senior Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead Accenture
Jovita Carranza 44th U.S. Treasurer U.S. Department of the Treasury
Carmen Castillo President & CEO SDI International Corp. Daily, I lean on the strength of heritage. And when channeling that strength into smart optimism and fierce innovation, we Latinas achieve. We don’t cede to challenges— we succeed, together.
Tere Alvarez Canida Portfolio Manager & Principal Cito Capital Group
Kim Cassiano Board Member Ford Motor Company & Mutual of America #1 tip for success: “Integrity and ethics are what will set you apart. Let them be your differentiation. They will serve you well – in business and in your personal lives. But remember, honesty and ethics are like pregnancy… either you are honest and ethical -- or you are not. There is no in between. It’s black and white; there is no grey. It’s wonderful to sleep well at night and be able to look at everyone – and at yourself – straight in the eye.”
Nanette Cocero Global President of Vaccines Pfizer
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LATINAS THE LIST
Cynthia Comparin
Nanette Diaz Barragan Dorene C. Dominguez Sonia Dula
Independent Director Frost Bank
U.S. Representative (California's 44th District) U.S. House of Representatives
Maria Contreras Sweet Board Member, Former head of the U.S. Small Business Administration Sempra, Regional Management Corp.
Ana Corrales
Patricia Diaz Dennis Board Member Entravision Communication Corporation, Amalgamated Bank, U.S. Steel
Chief Operating Officer Google Consumer Hardware
Latinas symbolize an unconditional commitment to family, community and culture. We are passionate and dedicated. We are the world’s hope for a better future for all.
Veronica Escobar
General Manager Avon North Latin America
Michelle Freyre Lili Gil Valletta Co-Founder and CEO CIEN+ AND CULTURINTEL #1 tip for success? Stay driven by something greater than yourself, because no amount of money will ever give you enough joy or fulfillment! That is why it's so important to keep your priorities straight. In my case, it's all about faith, family, fun! (in that order, always... and business, by the way, should be fun)
Board Member Board of Prisa, Latin America Strategic Advisory Board of Banco Itau, Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.
Ingrid Duran
U.S. Congresswoman
CEO & Founder D&P Creative Strategies, LLC
Lisa Feria
What drives you? Making a difference for my Latinx & LGBTQ communities everyday.
CEO Stray Dog Capital
Magdalena Ferreira-Lamas
President, U.S. Beauty Johnson & Johnson
Chairwoman and CEO Vanir Companies
What Latina inspires you? My Mother. She had me when she was in High School and proceeded to raise me, give me all the opportunities she could and is always a source of wisdom and inspiration. She has provided me and my sisters with a clear guide of how to manage life and its multiple challenges with grace and grit. She has navigated and continues to navigate hardships and difficult situations with affection, poise and humor. If I can be half of the woman she is, I would count myself lucky - and successful.
Maria G. Hackley Global Group Head and Managing Director Citi
Rachel Ann Gonzalez EVP General Counsel and Secretary Starbucks
Noni Gonzalez VP, Commercial Applications IHG “I have always been about creating experiences that matter. What you do should create an experience that not only creates lasting memories but means something to you or others.”
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Cynthia Guerrero Principal California Strategies LLC How do you find balance? In my yoga practice and daily meditation. In 2016, I completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training seeking to challenge myself by creating that healthy balance.
Carmen Heredia Lopez Catherine Hernandez Blades Board Director Catholic United Investment Trust
Michelle Herrera-Mulligan Senior Editor Atria Books
Miriam Hernandez Kakol
Senior VP and Managing Director CNN en Español and Hispanic Strategy for CNN
Maria Hinojosa Founder/Senior Anchor & Strategic Advisor Futuro Media Group What’s is your idea of a perfect world? My dream for the world is that people see each other in the ones most unlike them.
Global Head of Management Consulting KPMG
Carolina Janicelli Managing Director J.P. Morgan What is your morning ritual? I meditate first thing in the morning. It grounds me, allowing me to be present and intentional throughout my day.
Silvia Lagnado
Grace Lieblein
Global Chief Marketing Officer McDonald's Corporation
Board of Directors Honeywell, Southwest Airlines, American Tower
Nicole Marquis
Liza Maldonado
Monika Mantilla
General Manager, Puerto Rico & Caribbean Islands Avon
President & CEO Altura Capital Group
Every day I am thankful that I have eyes made to see the best in people, hearing to listen with the intent of understanding and not solely responding, and a voice to inspire others to become the best they can be.
SVP, Chief ESG & Communications Officer Aflac
Cynthia Hudson
Being a Latina is in my mind inner power, and inseparable from being an American woman. I have been so blessed to fulfill so many dreams and feel so proud of my beautiful Hispanic heritage, and so happy to pass it on to my daughters.
CEO /Founder Marquis & Co., HipCityVeg, Bar Bombon, Charlie Was A Sinner.
What drives you? Several things...but I’ll mention two. First, my mother raised me with a belief that I could do anything. So, I still hear that encouraging voice in my head when I’m facing something challenging. Second, I think Latinas need to be a part of important discussions and decisions, and my Board work helps me to achieve that.
What is your morning ritual? My mornings are really all about hustle, but I always begin with gratitude. I do a quick child's pose and meditation before getting my two year-old son, Lukas, up for the day. We have our routine, and then I'm taking conference calls while getting ready to go to the office. And one thing that never changes my morning iced coffee!
Monica Martinez SVP, External Affairs MI & National Hispanic Business Development Comerica Bank One word to describe Latinas: Resilient
Erika Mason Betty Manetta
President & CEO Argent Associates Inc.
Partner, Labor and Employment Litigation Akerman LLP
Maria Martinez EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer Cisco “Don’t let other people’s perceptions and limitations dictate how you operate. The only person who needs to believe in you IS you.”
Maria Fernanda Mejia Senior VP, Latin America Kellogg Co.
Meredith Mendes Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer Jenner & Block
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LATINAS THE LIST
Ofelia Melendrez-Kumpf
Sylvia Mendez
Field Vice President McDonald's USA
Head of International Banking and Lending Morgan Stanley
Claudia Mirza
Nathalie Molina Niño
Co-Founder and CEO Akorbi
Investor, Entrepreneur, and Author Leapfrog, The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs
U.S. Representative (New York's 14th District)
"You decide what success looks like, no one else." -Nathalie Molina Niño
Carmen Palafox
Bea Perez
Partner MiLA Capital How do you find balance? My job is to accelerate time for startups aiming to scale, so my life is in constant overdrive. And working in early-stage venture, there is always uncertainty. I find "balance" in scripture, which continually brings me back to the underlying meaning of life, and that is to love. Loving God, the planet, and humankind keeps me from losing myself to societal pressures.
Senior VP and Chief Communications, Public Affairs, Sustainability and Marketing Assets Officer The Coca-Cola Company
Ana Pinczuk
Christine Montenegro Partner Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP
Gina Orozco Mejia VP, Gas Distribution SoCal Gas
Sonia Perez President of the Southeast States AT&T
Catherine Pino Founder & CEO D&P Creative Strategies, LLC
Elena V. Rios
Miriam Rivera
General Counsel, North America Mastercard
“One of the advantages of being a bilingual Latina is that I can use our language and cultural knowledge in unique ways to help my clients.”
Senior Global Brand Manager Flesh Beauty
Head of Upstream Engineering BP
Pilar Ramos
Yvette Ostolaza Partner Sidley
Silvina Perez
Senior Vice President and Chief Transformation Officer Anaplan
Managing Director Ulu Ventures
What is your morning ritual? My hot cup of tea coincides with my first calls to international colleagues working with InGenesis to develop ISO standards for Healthcare Organization Management. As ISO administrator and chair, I use the early hours of the day to collaborate with regional clinical experts.
What Latina inspires you? I’m inspired by the determined moms I see walk in our door everyday looking to make sure their kids have a better life.
Rocio Perez
Aleida Rios
Board Director Levi Strauss & Co., Frontier Airlines
Roxane Nava Executive Director Metropolitan Family Services
President & Founder Inventiva Consulting, LLC
One word to describe Latinas: Poderosas!
Pat Pineda
CEO InGenesis, Inc.
Ileana Musa
I learned quickly that as Latinas, it is important to support each other, and even more so as leaders - it’s why I make talent development and mentoring a priority today.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Veronica Muzquiz Edwards
Civll Rights Activist
President & CEO National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Latina healthcare leaders are
ambitious, caring and aspire to build policies and programs that impact the health of our communities and guide the next generation to health professions careers.
Belinda Pestaña Tax Partner, Financial Services Organization Ernst & Young
Kim Rivera Chief Legal Officer and President, Strategy and Business Management HP “My mother taught me early on the value of community, giving and strong networks. My motto in life and work was inspired by her: Do what you can with what you have to make things better for those around you.”
#Tip for Success - "Stack the deck! Focus on developing expertise and do everything you can to help yourself and your SVP, Head of Global Medical cause"
Maria Rivas
Affairs Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
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Sandra Rivera EVP & Chief People Officer Intel
Damaris Rosado CEO Damaris Cosmetics
Rosa Santana Founder & CEO Santana Group What mantra do you live by? “Plan your work, and work your plan!”
Alice Rodriguez
Jennifer Rodriguez
Claudia Romo Edelman
Regional Director, Consumer Banking and Wealth Management JPMorgan Chase Bank
CEO Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founder We Are All Human
“My mother and grandmother were forces of nature that with grit, drive and strong love of family showed me that everything is within reach, que si se puede”
Maria Salamanca
Susan M. Santiago SVP Global Select and Franchise Operations Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Principal Unshackled Ventures
Monica Simó Black Partner TheVentureCity
Myrna Soto Chief Operating Officer Digital Hands #1 Tip for Success : Pursue constant learning and seek to be uncomfortable in your role, constantly stretching your abilities.
Betty Uribe EVP California Bank & Trust
What is your #1 tip for success? Never never never give up.
Maria Salinas CEO Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
Carly Sanchez EVP Talent Acquisition Strategy & Delivery Wells Fargo
Blanca Treviño President & CEO Softtek
Consuelo Valverde Founder & Managing Partner SV LATAM Capital
“I am fortunate to have spent my career identifying and encouraging diverse talent in higher education and the corporate world. The greatest joy is bringing others along in this journey.”
Nina Vaca Chairwoman and CEO Pinnacle Group "Growing up, I looked up to my mother as an embodiment of true beauty, strength, and selfless dedication. She was my first role model who showed me what it means to be a proud Latina, a fearless entrepreneur, and a loving mother. She also taught me to leverage my success every step of the way to help others and advance the community."
Lizzie Velasquez Actvist & Motivational Speaker
Stephanie Zapata Moore Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri
Magda Yrizarry
Partner & Chief Human Resources Officer TPG Global
SVP & Chief Talent and Diversity Officer Verizon
Yasmine Wrinkler
EVP & General Counsel Vistra Energy
No one is self-made and everyone has responsibility to pay it forward.
Board Member PDMA, ALPFA, Inc., Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
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LATINAS
VENTURE CAPITAL
LATINAS IN VENTURE CAPITAL Marcia Chong Manager of Financial Innovation Practice at Village Capital
Barbara Minuzzi General Partner at BABEL Ventures IMMIGRANT. Venture Capitalist. Brazilian. Bá Minuzzi began her entrepreneurship journey at an early age, starting with a clothing business. She proved to her family that she could succeed in business. “I proved with numbers that what I was doing was right.” After building her reputation and credibility in Brazil, she decided to move to Miami and take with her the business that was thriving in Brazil, InvestHaus. In 2014, she became a millionaire for the first time. As most millionaires do, she lived a life of luxuries, but deep down she wasn’t completely satisfied. With her amount of knowledge, she knew being a Venture Capitalist was something that called her attention. She had to begin by building a network, so she traveled between Miami and New York City often. Minuzzi noticed things weren’t working out in either Miami or NYC, and decided to try luck in the West Coast, specifically San Francisco. She grew her network and in 2015, she finally moved to the Bay Area. After settling in San Francisco, she decided to launch Babel Ventures, a biotech firm. This firm was the first to have a Latina as a solo GP and Founder. The BEST INVESTMENT she’s ever made to her career: Therapy. She mentioned she has had mentors and coaches but as an entrepreneur the best way was to invest time and money in getting to know herself better. “There are so many challenges, you meet so many people, and if you’re not firm in what you believe in, and it can be difficult to lead a business.” Her advice to other Latinas in VC is to “Be brave. Show up as you are. Go get what you want in life.” Minuzzi’s goal in life is to redefine wealth. “We are so privileged. We have health, we have friends and family and most of the time we are still not happy. If we have wealth redefined, we would not be working just for money. We would be more aligned with who we are and how we treat people around us. “
ASIAN LATINA IMMIGRANT originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador. Moved to Boston at 12 yrs. old with her family. But, more recently moved from Boston to DC for work. To Chong, growing up was hard because she didn’t have a complete understanding of why her family was moving. Prior to Village Capital, Chong was working in Third Sector Venture Capital. After about five years, she began looking at other opportunities that could be providing more money for social issues they care about. “From the very beginning my route wasn’t ‘Oh I want to get into VC’, but more of a ‘I want to figure out what are better ways that we can be providing capital towards the issues that we care about.’” For Chong, it wasn’t easy to navigate the industry. “When I entered VC there were some issues, I wanted to find my own community. And one of the communities I wanted to find was other Latinas and LatinXs in VC. It takes some time finding my people and community, even if it meant finding them virtually.” Building a community is essential to grow. She also understands that Latinas are a powerful group to belong to. “We bring a powerful perspective and understanding the type of solutions that should be in the marketplace. Latinas are demonstrating that they have an ability to build new companies and understand what is needed in the marketplace.”
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Marisela Garcia Marquez Founder of Global Women in Venture
Antonia Rojas Partner of Manutara Ventures ROJAS IS PARTNER of Manatura Ventures, one of the most prominent VC firms in Santiago, Chile. During her early years, Rojas started as an Analyst in the International Real Estate department at a German bank. Later on, Rojas moved to San Francisco to learn more about technology. Throughout here time at Silicon Valley, Rojas got a glimpse of the impact technology could have. She went back to Chile with the mission to start an investment fund that would invest in social projects that would leverage technology in order to provide social solutions. Soon she realized, “Before solving the world’s greatest issues with the help of technology, we needed to improve the playing field of technology in the region” Rojas wanted the best of both worlds. Upon her return to Chile, she began working on the private side of a family investment firm. She was the investment manager and that is where she got her initial taste at being an “angel investor”. To Rojas, it was the perfect match. She was able to combine her past experiences, with her future goals into one passion. After four years of being in VC, Rojas has her own goals. “We need to level the playing field in technology. Technology should be available for everyone, and should be used to leverage our talents, resources and tools, so it empowers people and gives them new opportunities.” She considers that one of the first things that empowered her in her early days, was when she decided to go to Germany. She was 21 years old, and none of her classmates were doing it. She had to learn the language, and find her way, away from friends and family. She considers it her best investment yet. “It was a huge challenge, but I also learned so much and became aware of what I was capable of. I learned that with passion, perseverance, and effort, you can make things happen.” With her experience, she has one advice for her fellow industry colleagues who deal with doubt, “Go out and try. It’s hard not to be afraid of failure but you never know until you try. And the worst regret you could have is to never have tried.”
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BORN AND RAISED IN THE BAY AREA, Marisela Garcia Marquez has always been close to home and close to family. Her center is there. Close to the ones she loves. They are the source and motives to all her endeavors. Garcia Marquez is a young Latina who has understood the need to step out of your comfort zone in order to grow. “Growth doesn’t come from comfort zones.” She set off for Mexico to work for the government. Her duty was to help facilitate educational programs for immigrants residing in the U.S.. After two years, she made her way back to San Francisco and decided to take a dive into Venture Capital. Little did she know, that it would be extremely difficult. Garcia Marquez found herself not knowing what to do. But as determined as she is, she knew she couldn’t accept failure. She decided to reach out to all her contacts and colleagues from her time in Mexico and that is how her company, Iberus, began. Her focus was to scout deal for international venture capitalists. As she began to grow her network, she started making a name for herself. People, internationally, began to know who she was and what she brought to the table. “It’s been rewarding to break barriers; to break borders and travel to Europe, travel to Latin America and create theses resources to help all these international founders succeed.” But she felt there was more she could do. From the very beginning, Garcia Marquez has always had a serving heart. She longed nothing more than to help other women grow as Venture Capitalists, and ultimately as leaders. The name would be Global Women in Venture. It would be a global community operating in Venture Capital, and with the mission to drive women to economic empowerment and increase diverse leadership of women in venture capital. For someone like Garcia Marquez, with an investment firm and an organization to look after, it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize. Her daily motivation are her goals that she set out since day one. But above it all, it’s her family that brings it all together. “I’m family-oriented. I have two nieces, five and eight years old and when I look at them in 10- 20 years, I want them to have access to a world where they’ve been given some leverage or platform for them to pursue whatever they want to pursue in life.”
9/23/19 4:10 PM
LATINAS
ACCENTURE
BUILDING DIVERSITY
#SUPPORTLATINAS
Nellie Borrero’s mission is to create an environment within Accenture where all can grow and develop their skills. This has enabled me to reach my professional goals without compromising my own health and personal relationships. LL: What steps do we need to take to continue to address gender equality and ensure women are given opportunities in corporate America? NB: One of the biggest steps companies and individuals can do to advance gender equality and to help ensure that women are given equal opportunity is to promote networking. Networking is a two-way street – it provides a forum for senior and junior women to learn from each other. I’d like to see junior women feel comfortable to reach out to senior women – to receive coaching and mentorship and to learn from them. For senior women, I’d like them to not NELLIE BORRERO, MANAGING DIRECTOR, GLOBAL INCLUSION & DIVERSITY AT ACCENTURE only support their peers, but to spend time identifying who they can sponsor and help Latino Leaders: You were the first Persons with Disabilities and more. I feel to rise, to effectively increase the number of leader to implement diversity strate- incredibly proud of the progress we have women in their ranks. gy at Accenture, which gaps did you made, while recognizing that we still have identify and how did you go about so much more to do. LL: What role do you see Latinas playing for your corporation’s future? addressing it? Nellie Borrero: From the beginning, my LL: What was given to you in terms of How important is this segment for goal has been to make Accenture a more advice or mentorship that pushed you your industry? NB: Latinas and Latinx understand the diverse and inclusive workplace. It starts by to where you are today? ensuring the right programs and policies are NB: Throughout my career, I’ve had so power of relationships—it is so embedded in place to help hire more women and un- many mentors and sponsors whose ad- in our culture. There is an advantage to derrepresented minorities into our compa- vice has been instrumental to helping me how naturally relationship building and reny, but it cannot be successful without pro- achieve my goals. One piece of wisdom lationship maintaining comes to the Latinx viding an empowering environment where which I hold particularly close is to “set and community. they can thrive. But large-scale change is respect your own boundaries in order to Today, the scope of the marketplace is never easy. It would not be enough for me effectively integrate your personal and pro- growing, and I see this as an especially critto just believe in this goal, I had to show up, fessional life—if you don’t respect your own ical and valuable skill. Our savvy and depth act and bring my passion to influence lead- boundaries, don’t expect others to do so.” of understanding in this area can benefit Acership and shift corporate culture. This was a game changer for me. I had centure and our clients globally. I’ve been quite relentless in my efforts to learn to say “no.” Until I heard that, I and it has paid off! I made it a point to at- would say “YES” to every ask of me—in LL: As a diversity leader, what do you tend forums and meetings with leaders, so I turn, sacrificing my personal life and mental consider your mission to be? NB: My mission is to ensure that Accenture and could engage them in conversation around well-being. establishing a diversity agenda. Today, I am Learning how to manage and integrate my clients are committed to creating an incluproud to say that with the support of many your personal and professional responsi- sive environment where every individual has an of our leaders, I have taken this agenda glob- bilities is critically important. Today, when opportunity to reach their goals. Simply said, eval! We have evolved our focus further than I begin to feel unbalanced, I pause and ask eryone deserves the right to feel like they belong women and ethnicity to include LGBTQ+, myself: ‘are you respecting your boundaries?’ no matter what; that is my mandate!. 22 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2019
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X LATINAS
X STRAY DOG CAPITAL
INVESTING IN CLEAN CUISINE Lorenzo Almanza
Lisa Feria, CEO of Stray Dog Capital, leads a venture capital firm that drives the green market offering plantbased products, like Beyond Meat, Eat Your Coffee, Good Catch, among other brands. PUERTO RICAN entrepreneur Lisa Feria is not just living the American Dream, she is the true definition of the term. With values deeply rooted in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Feria strives to become a woman out of the ordinary. “My undergraduate began at the University of Puerto Rico,” Feria said. “But I always had this thing in me.” The thing Feria is referring too, would best be described as “ambition.” Ever since she was young, Feria never experienced life outside of Puerto Rico. The ambition she possessed wanted her to achieve more in life and expand her boundaries. “I wanted to achieve and fight for a better life,” Feria said. “I wanted to try my luck in the United States.” Soon after moving to the U.S., the powerful Latina decided to expand her educational opportunities by starting school at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The transfer posed no challenge for Feria, as her biggest problem came from the acquisition of the English language.
#SUPPORTLATINAS
“I had to adjust and expand,” Feria said, when discussing the transition from Spanish to English. She was able to land her first job out of college. An opportunity was presented to work at General Mills. “At GM, I was in charge of operations and I had the responsibility for running the third shift,” Feria said. “Right after college, I had over 100 employees reporting to me.” As a Hispanic, one thing she knew she could not do was, “letting yourself be drown by the situation.” Sticking to with an ambitious mindset, the courageous Latina pushed herself once again. “I started to do my MBA at the University of Chicago,” Feria said. During her time as an MBA student, Feria kept receiving more opportunities, this time to teach as a second-year student. Shortly after, Feria decided to move on and join Procter & Gamble. “During my time at P&G, I became vegetarian,” Feria said. This life-altering decision led Feria to take matters into her own hands. “I realized I wanted to find alternative ways to fund and feed ourselves and the growing population,” Feria said. “I really wanted to help more people find healthier, better food for the environment. “ In September of 2015, Feria joined the company Stray Dog Capital as CEO. Feria’s plans to change how and what people consume were now in the palm of her hands. “I really want to make this world a little bit better,” Feria said. As a successful Latina herself, Feria hopes that other women of color can follow in her footsteps. “I think we should never be intimidated by that fact that we want to learn and improve and grow,” Feria said. Feria has plenty of advice for Latinas hoping to break out in the business spectrum: “Surround yourself with supportive people and make sure you are in the right place.”
WHO IS STRAY DOG CAPITAL? Stray Dog Capital is a Venture Capital firm that drives alternative ways to the use of animals in the supply chain through investments, expertise and support. The largest goal for the company is to shift away from animal use into more innovative, delicious and nutritious food. “I saw an opportunity with Millennials, because the generation is already eating this way,” Lisa Feria said. Some of the companies the Capital was able to fund include: Beyond Meat, Eat your Coffee, Good Seed Burger and Memphis meats.
FUN FACT: Lisa Feria is a triathlete. Not only does she maintain healthy eating habits, but she also makes sure that her wellness is complimented by physical activity.
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LATINAS
Timothy Baler
DR. RODRIGUEZ
DISCUSSES A SMARTER APPROACH TOWARDS FIGHTING CANCER Dr. Lorna Rodriguez from City of Hope has her eyes on completing one goal: finding a cure for gynecologic-related cancer. She will continue her mission at the renowned cancer research and treatment center, City of Hope in California. AT AN EARLY AGE, before she could be left on her own, City of Hope’s researcher/physician Dr. Lorna Rodriguez wandered the hallways of the hospitals of San Juan, Puerto Rico, while doctors attended to her brother, who was born with several birth defects. Young Lorna took it all in, picking up on some of the gentle nuances of healthcare, such as the respect her parents showed to doctors and the doctor’s efforts to reassure her parents that things would turn out well. Young Lorna realized that taking care of one patient meant taking care of a family. Still, she was bored and her wandering frequently brought her to the emergency room, because that’s where the action was. Lorna marveled at the efficiency, the kindness, the professional calm of the doctors and the sophistication of the science that was dramatized before her eyes. Someday, she thought, it would certainly be something to be part of that scene. The doctors weren’t just saving lives with hard science; they were elevating humanity with grace, compassion and dignity. All of it appealed to her – even the parts where most of us would close our eyes. With a resolve to maintain her humanistic ideals, Dr. Rodriguez hit the books and she hit them hard. She earned a medical degree, then decided to specialize in obstetrics, gynecology and oncology. She narrowed that down to gynecological tract cancers, such as cancers of the uterus, cervix or ovaries. But that wasn’t enough. Drawn to research, Dr. Rodriguez went on to earn a PhD in biochemistry before finding the perfect match to her talents: An appointment at the City of Hope National Medical Center, based in Duarte, California, with a network of clinics throughout the southern end of the state. Rodriquez praises City of Hope’s staff, its facilities and its mission. She also says the focus of cancer treatment is changing from a carpet-bombing approach – throwing everything you’ve got at the cancer in a manner that has historically been devastating to the patient – to a smart bombing approach. Current treatments, says Rodriguez, involve what is called sequencing. Doctors examine the actual DNA of the cancer cells during a tissue biopsy. In this manner, they can determine what happened with the DNA that made the cells grow without control. After this, they can choose drug treatments customized to a patient’s illness.
Meanwhile, she is working for a world-renowned cancer research and treatment center that offers cutting edge technology and has “the best researchers and the best doctors in the world,” she says. City of Hope has more than 500 trial studies underway at any given point and still treats patients with respect, care and compassion, Rodriguez says. She also encourages Latinos to get into the field of healthcare just to add their cultural perspective on research and patient care. In addition, the more Latino doctors, the better, she says, simply because Latino patients may feel more comfortable under the care of someone with a common culture. The best way to encourage Latino men and women to join the ranks of medical research is by setting an example, she said. One Latino doctor can influence many others to follow suit. This, in turn, means help for patients and their families, she says. In the meantime, keeping healthy eating habits and excercising frequently may help keeping cancer away. And what is her goal? Research, she says. Outsmart cancer. That could happen one of these days.
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LATINAS
CHILDREN'S MEDICAL
IN THE RIGHT CARE Patricia Rodriguez has felt her calling is to serve others. Her roots confirmed it, but her position at Children’s Medical has helped her grow as a Latina physician. PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ, M.D., grew up straddling different worlds. There were the worlds of her Mexican-American father and Mexican immigrant mother. And there was her own world. Raised in a Houston neighborhood with few families that looked like hers, Rodriguez’s friends and classmates were mostly white. In medical school, Rodriguez was one of only about five Hispanics (three of whom were female) in a class of more than 200. The dynamic is now normal to her but challenging. “You feel like you walk alone. You are on a journey that’s unique and that not many people can understand. It’s a lonely road sometimes,” she said. But it’s this intersectionality of backgrounds that has equipped her to tackle the root of disparities in health care at Children’s Health℠, where she has served for the last year as Chief Health Equity and Inclusion Officer. Rodriguez was recruited by leaders at Children’s Health three years ago to create a Hispanic Health Program – a population health initiative to tailor the hospital system’s workflow to the growing Hispanic population. In Dallas County, more than half of its childhood population is Hispanic, according to
the 2017 Beyond ABC report, an in-depth look at the quality of life for children in North Texas published by Children’s Health. Since then, she’s been working to establish the infrastructure for such a program, starting with efforts to implement processes addressing health disparities. “We can provide equal care, but there are barriers and other issues that prevent certain people and populations from reaching that highest level of health,” she said, listing off examples ranging from health literacy to challenges outside the hospital system like poverty, education and food deserts that limit families’ access to fresh fruits and vegetables. “Addressing those other issues behooves us as a health care system if we really are looking to improve health outcomes.”
Becoming a physician
Rodriguez was 6 years old when she flipped open an encyclopedia to a page of the human body. She studied the pictures outlining the body’s skeletal and circulatory systems. She didn’t know what these drawings meant, but she was mesmerized. “I told myself, ‘One day, I’m going to figure this out. I have to figure out the human body,’” she said. “I told my mom I wanted to be a doctor, and that was it.”
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Health with a team of residents. Also, a clinical volunteer faculty member at UT Southwestern Medical Center, she continues to care for patients at the bedside while holding an administrative leadership position in the hospital system. “I still examine kids. I will never, ever give that up. That is who I am,” she said. Rodriguez’ roots as a physician also help further her efforts to improve health equity at Children’s Health, where she is working with fellow physicians to implement systems to tailor their plan of care to each individual patient and their specific needs. In early May, her department launched a pilot initiative to screen for social determinants of health and dig into topics beyond the typical medical questionnaire, inquiring about patient’s health literacy, food insecurity, financial insecurity, housing quality and transportation access. The initiative aims to transform the care patients receive by looking at their health holistically -- beyond just their medical needs -- and connect them to community resources. It also helps doctors understand the patient’s risk for readmission, risk for extended length of stay, risk of not following the treatment plan or risk of not showing up to appointments. “I feel like my purpose in life is to help others,” Rodriguez said. “To help be the one to shed light on the importOn Friday afternoons, Rodriguez drapes a stethoscope ant factors of how we can take care of everyone and not just around her neck and provides care to patients at Children’s some people.”
Caring for everyone
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Rodriguez is the eighth member of her family to become a physician, but the first American doctor. She said the medical landscape has changed, and it is now more commonplace to find women in medicine. But it’s her layers of being a bicultural, bilingual, Hispanic female that have shaped a different perspective from other physicians. “We are a unicorn,” she said of Hispanic female physicians. And in a room of male physician colleagues, she’s doubted whether she belonged to stand beside them – or even in front of them. “You show up to give a presentation or talk about an initiative, and you feel that imbalance,” Rodriguez said. “Even though you’re a M.D. just like them, and you can do everything just like them, you feel very small. It’s a struggle to not feel like that.” Rodriguez grew up with parents who were supportive of education and fostered independence in their three children. When Rodriguez was a toddler and wanted to pick out her own clothes or fix her own plate of food, her mom let her. Her parents praised her every accomplishment and believed in her dreams. “When I was a kid and would tell my mom and dad I wanted to be a doctor, they’d say, ‘You can do anything you want to. Don’t ever stop trying,’” Rodriguez said. “They believed in us.”
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LATINAS AT&T
#SUPPORTLATINAS
PIONEERING THE FUTURE
Jake Rivard
How Alicia Abella set the standard for women in technology at AT&T. INNOVATION IS THE driving force of the future. Alicia Abella knows this well. As the Vice President of Integrated Planning & Program Management at AT&T Labs, she’s responsible for planning and developing initiatives to propel the company into the future. These initiatives include software-defined networking, 5G and edge computing. AT&T’s innovative approach to leading change has allowed them to soar above their competition; and Abella has been at the heart of many of these initiatives. But before she assumed her senior management position, she had to work her way up in a male-dominated industry. She first began her illustrious career interning for AT&T Bell Labs as an undergraduate at New York University. There, she realized the potential for innovation that lie within the world of computer science. After earning her PhD in Computer Science at Columbia University, she began working on a spoken-dialogue system nearly 25 years before the birth of Siri. “When I began my career, the idea of a personal computer started to manifest itself. I knew that job security and innovation existed within the field of computer science, and that I’d regret it forever if I didn’t at least try it,” Abella said. Abella believes there’s a wide role for the Latina community in tech. Diversity in thought is what allows companies like AT&T to succeed. It gives businesses a wide range of backgrounds to tap into as they approach a problem while providing a chance for often-overlooked voices to speak up and speak out. Additionally, the large gender gap in most tech industries provides a key opening for young Latina leaders to seize the moment and engage in their respective fields. Leading a legacy helps to promote diversity of thought; and diversity of thought can only start when those already in the field pay it forward. Companies like AT&T are already starting to take action in order to promote diversity of thought. AT&T prides itself as a pioneer of corporate diversity with its Em-
ployee Resource Groups. These organizations allow people of similar backgrounds to network and tap into resources that the company can provide them. The Employee Resource Groups often perform public outreach by assisting with nonprofits, engaging with their community, and stopping by classrooms to teach students about their careers. When it comes to young professionals looking to make a name for themselves, Abella stresses the importance of finding your community. “While I wasn’t able to find many female mentors in this industry, I was able to find strong male mentors and advocates and I would encourage anyone and everyone to find a mentor to coach you and root you on in your career and personal aspirations. ” Despite the harrowing competition in a male-dominated field, Alicia Abella paved the way for future women in tech to follow their dreams.
“A LOT OF [INITIATIVES] ARE THROUGH GRASS ROOTS MOVEMENTS. EVERY MOMENT STARTS SMALL. PAYING IT FORWARD CAN PAVE THE WAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO REAP THE BENEFITS.” ALICIA ABELLA ALICIA ABELLA Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, New York University. PHD in Computer Science, Columbia University. Current Position: Vice President of Integrated Planning & Program Management, AT&T Labs Background: A daughter of two Cuban immigrants, Abella grew up in Queens, New York, surrounded by the ever-changing world of tech during the rise of the personal computer. Watching the world change with technology sparked a fire in Abella; one that would never extinguish.
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AT&T
Jake Rivard
A PASSION FOR PEOPLE
HOW DEBORAH GOLDSCHMIED’S LEGACY HAS ENCOURAGED SUCCESS IN HER FIELD. Human Resources representatives meet and speak to countless people over the course of a day. Whether it’s an interview, a review, or a recruitment seminar, a good HR representative needs a passion for people. For Deborah Goldschmied of AT&T, it’s practically a match made in heaven. FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS, Goldschmied has worked as an HR Leader for AT&T in both Dallas and Mexico. Her role allows her to interact with people of all walks of life, whether they’re newly-arrived immigrants, natives, or even transitioning between roles within the company. Currently, Goldschmied serves as leader of Vrio, the premier entertainment company for AT&T in Latin America in Dallas. “The most rewarding part of my field is the people. More than anything, I’m passionate about helping people become the very best version of themselves.” Goldschmied’s passion for people has helped her to excel in her field while also building a sizeable network of mentors, comrades, and proteges alike. Goldschmied is renowned for her mentorship, her drive, and her tireless work ethic, winning two Customer Service Awards and a Women of Color All-Star Award from AT&T. She obtained her masters at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and has worked in her field for over two decades. Despite all these awards and accomplishments, though, she only referenced one thing as the biggest highlight in her career: the people she’s met.
“NOTHING MAKES ME HAPPIER THAN INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE.” What stays in Goldschmied’s heart is the interactions she’s shared with people. "I've had so many opportunities to help around the company, but nothing makes me happier than the people." The passion in her voice reaches new levels as she stresses the importance of people in the workplace. Mentorship programs, Goldschmied says, are pivotal to every employee’s personal development. “Expanding your network is critical if you want to create positive progress in your career.” She’s served as both a mentor and a mentee in her career but believes that paying it forward helps to cement a legacy while building up ones’ own community. The best way for young Latinas to gain a foothold in their respective fields, she says, is through networking and building strong relationships that will ultimately allow the individual to increase exposure and opportunity. If people from connect from diverse backgrounds unify, they can assist one another throughout their careers while bolstering their own prospects.
Name: Deborah Goldschmied Education: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Relations, Universidad Iberoamericana. Master’s in Human Relations, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México. Current Position: AVP Human Resources, Vrio. Background: An immigrant from Mexico, Deborah Goldschmied has worked her entire life to serve as a catalyst for others to grow and develop. She spent the beginning of her career working for AT&T in Mexico City before taking the challenge to relocate to Dallas. She’s a wife, a mother, and a hardworking individual with a relentless passion for people
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LATINAS
KIA MOTORS
KIA'S LEADING LATINA Knowing that the future present is female is uplifting. And when you have a strong female, like Angeles Van Ryzin, lead in a predominately male industry like the automotive putting the pedal to the metal, it makes a story worth telling.
#SUPPORTLATINAS
BORN IN ZACATECAS, México, Ángeles Elena Van Ryzin has conquered a coveted spot amongst the top, as one of KIA Motors engineer. She studied at Cal Poly Pomona University, and in 2009 graduated as a mechanical engineer. During that time, she was part of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Her senior year she joined the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) where she built a racecar and competed in an international competition in Germany. In 2011 he joined the HATCI family (Hyundai-Kia Technical Center) in the powertrain department. Since then, she has focused on Kia’s new and acclaimed Telluride model, where she led the powertrain drivability design, transmission scheduling and torque calibration for the Telluride; in other words, she helped achieve the driving ease and fuel efficiency of the vehicle. Being a woman is not a limitation to do any job. Van Ryzin kicked off working on the Kia Telluride with a trip to Korea while 5 months pregnant and in Death Valley enduring insane dessert temperatures while hoovered over the hood of a Telluride while 8 months pregnant. There is no limit to what women can do in any industry, even vehicle engineering.
During your pregnancy month while working on the Telluride, what were your thoughts? Were you wishing to rest or were you excited to work? During my pregnancy while working on the Telluride my thoughts were that I had two important jobs, being healthy and safe for my baby and meeting all the deadlines and milestones on the Telluride. I don’t think I ever really wished I stayed home because of my pregnancy. Gratefully I had a very smooth pregnancy, so I never really thought I needed to stay home. I did however find rest in other ways like go to bed earlier and go on walks often to get my mind off of work and distress a bit. Again, I knew the Telluride was going to be Kia’s flagship and being a part of something that important gave me the energy to continue. I was also very open to my manager. The days that were physically difficult for me I let my manager know and my team members always supported me and helped with anything they could. For example, I had to take a 3-week trip when I was 8 months pregnant, but two of my colleagues offered to take one week each so it would be more manageable for me.
What has been one of the most rewarding moments/experiences throughout your career? There has been many but I think the most rewarding moments was very recent in working on the Telluride. The Kia Telluride received and outstanding road test score from Consumer Reports, 97. This is the highest score of any Kia models in history. When I saw the score and read the article it was so rewarding to see that the media and customers are reviewing this vehicle very well and that all that hard work I did on the Telluride is paying off.
What can Latinas/women bring to the table? We bring so much to the table and in so many fields! Be it economy, societal issues, entrepreneurship, leadership, politics, etc., we bring different and fresh ideas to the table. We seem to better leverage our unique backgrounds, while tapping into the sense of dedication we have to our jobs, to bring a new perspective to problem solving and critical thinking.
What is the best INVESTMENT you have ever made for your career/job? Aside from going to school which I consider the best investment I would say going overseas to Korea for 5 weeks was the best investment I have made for my job. I was in Korea for 5 weeks for training. I decided to stay in Seoul and take the bus every day to work, to experience what engineers do on a daily basis. I was really nervous as I had never traveled that long alone and in a country where the language is so different and such a large time difference. During my trip I not only learned so much about the culture and gained technical skills, but I made long lasting relationships that helped tremendously in building trust. Since my long trip to Korea I have gotten better at communication and building credibility with the engineers from Korea. 30 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2019
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TECHNOLOCHICAS Courtesy
TECHNOLOCHICAS #SUPPORTLATINAS WHAT IS TECHNOLOchicas? TECHNOLOchicas, co-produced by the National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT and the Televisa Foundation, is a national initiative designed to raises awareness among young Latinas and their families about opportunities and careers in technology. Powerful stories highlight the lives of Latinas from diverse backgrounds and environments who are in technology fields and recognize the power of innovation to change the world. These stories allow girls to perceive TECHNOLOchicas as “relatable� role models who are similar to themselves and are promoted through several communication channels, including broadcast television, local events, social media, and online videos. WHY TECHNOLOchicas? Latinas occupied only 1 percent of jobs in the computing workforce in 2017. Yet, both the number of technology positions and the Hispanic population are growing. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts 3.5 million computing-related job openings by 2026. Latinas represent a vastly untapped computing talent pool that is vital to increasing the bottom line of the U.S. economy and creating diversity in the computing workforce, leading to advanced technical innovation. Their participation in computing disciplines also improves the economic outlook of the Hispanic community.
Ilona Bodnar
Ilona is a student at the University of Southern California studying Media Arts & Practice in the film school with a strong interest in computer science. She's a three-time engineering intern for Google, having worked on infrastructure for the Google Voice Assistant in 2016, frontend for Google Express in 2017, and release engineering tools and infrastructure for Google Cloud in 2018. In the past, she's done cool things like TAing for Girls Who Code at Pixar Animation Studios, discussing important issues with tech leaders and educators at the WhiteHouse CS Tech Jam, and cofounding AthenaHacks, SoCal's largest all-female (trans & nonbinary inclusive) hackathon. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, drawing, hiking, playing the piano, and re-learning how to play the guitar. Why did you join Technolochicas? I joined Technolochicas because I've seen firsthand the power, strength, and intelligence Latinas embody, and strongly believe we need more of that in the tech world. With this organization, I can work with other successful Latinas in the field of computer science to continue to empower the new generations of Latinas to use technology in conjunction with their pre-existing interests and talents. Like playing with Legos? Why not try building some robots! Like art? Why not try playing around with web design? Like stars? Why not look into engineering at NASA? The possibili-
ties are endless, and young Latinas should know that the world is at their hands. The women here host workshops, speak on panels, and travel the United States to get this message across to as many Latinas (and as many educators and parents of Latinas) as possible, enacting real change and creating tangible impact. What impact do you wish to see among young Latinas? I want to see Latinas become more confident in their abilities. Being intelligent does not mean being perfect, and success often comes after many iterations of failure. I want to see young Latinas learning how to try something, fall back a bit, then getting up on their feet and trying again until we have Latinas on the cover of Forbes running the world's largest tech companies. Our community already embodies this sense of resilience we just need to transfer that over into a field where we are woefully underrepresented. I want to see a network of Latinas supporting each other throughout this whole process and bringing out our best qualities: our resilience, our empathy, and our drive to make the world a better place. What message do you have for young Latinas who are debating what field to go into? It is never too late for you to start something, and you are more capable of succeeding than you may think. It can feel weird pursuing something that you have little to no prior knowledge in and can be scary doing something that might not be easy, but don't worry! You have SO many people supporting you, and to get any help you need all you have to do is ask. Additionally, tech is so interdisciplinary - if you start in computer science but decide you want to switch into a different field, you are now a more desirable candidate because of your diverse experiences with programming, which employers know is difficult to learn. If you want to support your family, or retire early, or eat good food, or all of the above, computer science will provide you with the financial support and company amenities to achieve that!
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Niza Torrico
My name is Neiza Torrico, I was born and raised in La Paz, Bolivia. Ever since I can remember, my parents encouraged me to do well in school, my dad would focus on math and my mom helped me with all the other subjects. When I graduated from high school, I received a scholarship to pursue my BS at the University of Kansas (KU). In the beginning I wanted to be a doctor, but the scholarship only covered four-year degrees, and as I was good at math, I decided to study electrical engineering. The four years of engineering were tough, but I was passionate about creating and designing circuits which made people’s lives easier. When I graduated, I decided to pursue my Masters in electrical engineering. During my time in school, I served as the KU chapter president of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). This platform helped me make an impact in the Hispanic community. After I graduated with my Masters degree, I joined Intel in Folsom, California as a Logic Design Engineer where I had the opportunity to work in the latest and greatest non-volatile 3D XPoint memory chip. After working there for two years, I decided to explore new horizons and moved to Austin, Texas, where I live now. I currently work as an IP Logic Design Engineer where I get to design the latest generation of Xeon processors.
Why did you join Technolochicas? Growing up I had several mentors who guided me in the search of better opportunities. These mentors had a great influence on me leaving Bolivia and moving to the USA. I believe that role models are very important and have great impact on the youth. I joined Techonolochicas because I want to be a role model to young girls who may be in the same situation I was years ago. I want to help these young girls reach their goals and dreams.
Emely Villeda-Principe
My name is Emely Villeda-Principe, a Software Developer born and raised in Dallas, TX. Although I now have a great passion for technology, when I was younger, I never imagined I’d go into any STEM field. My parents had always stressed the importance of education, so I worked hard to excel in school and make them proud. Since I was pretty good in all subjects, especially math and science, a career in a STEM field came up as an option. However, for some reason I always had the idea that engineering only involved working in factories building machinery in production lines. For someone like me, who also loved the arts and wanted to do something that allowed for creativity, this misguided belief pushed me away from STEM. It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I discovered Computer Science. I needed an extra elective to fill my schedule, so I ended up taking an Intro to Java class on a whim. The class changed what I thought about engineering. The problem-solving aspect of programming immediately captured my interest, and I realized that technology had so much more to offer. After finding out that I could even combine my love for art with my newfound fascination with technology, I decided that Computer Science was my calling. Why did you join Technolochicas? Even now I sometimes think about how it took me so long to realize I had a bad impression about STEM. Although I was exposed to STEM at an early age, I never knew anyone in the technology fields who could show me what engineering was all about. I joined TECHNOLOchicas so I could be a role model to show young girls what an engineer can look like.
What impact do you wish to see among young Latinas? I strongly wish to see more Latinas be confident in their abilities Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years? in STEM. My hope is that us, TECHNOLOchicas, are able to leave In 5 years I would like to be a manager or computer architect in a tech- a deep impression on these girls and show them that they can also nology company. In 10 years, I would like to be working in my own tech- do great things with technology. nology startup providing solutions to facilitate the movement towards an AI friendly lifestyle. What message do you have for young Latinas who are debating what field to go into? There's so much more to gain than to lose by exploring the possibilities in different fields, so don't be afraid to try. Once you find something that you truly enjoy, do whatever you can to realize your dreams. Look for your supporters, jump at opportunities, and don't let your passion die.
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LATINAS
WE ARE ALL HUMAN
IT’S TIME FOR A Hispanic revolution, says Claudia Romo Edelman, frequently named as one of the most powerful Latinas on the planet. But you will be relieved to know that the battleground is not borderland trenches or smart bombs or cyber attacks on Wall Street. Edelman, who has a resume sprinkled with illustrious titles from global organizations – most prominently UNICEF and the United Nations – and a face that belongs in magazines – and frequently is – is inclined to lead the battle with words like “inclusion” and “cohesiveness” and “we have to reflect on our priorities.” Basically, Edelman believes Hispanics need to recognize their power and seize the moment and she wants to put everything she has into it, which mostly means reaching out to corporate leaders and deploying world class marketing. She wants Hispanics to learn to promote themselves and she’s blazing the way forward with all the oomph and determination of an earthquake. And, speaking of earthquakes, where were you on 19 September 1985? Because that’s kind of where this all began. In fact, if Hollywood wanted to turn its luminous lights on Claudia Romo Edelman with a biopic on her storied life, they would find her to be an open book with an admirable memory for the decisive moments that shaped who she is today. One of those moments was the 8.0-magnitude quake that hit Mexico City that fateful fall day, leaving the city in ruins and a death toll of more than 5,000. Young Claudia was among the many volunteers who showed up to move debris, listen for survivors, carry water bottles and hold hands with devastated victims and it was in this mess that she heard a voice coming from underneath a pile of rubble. It was time to get loud.
TIME TO GET LOUD Timothy Baler
One of the most powerful Latinas of the moment, Claudia Romo Edelman, spearheads the massive global movement urging top Latino leaders to use their leadership to maximize the force of the community. 34 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2019
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#SUPPORTLATINAS Yes, it’s a dramatic starting point. There was a young girl trapped in the debris and it was Edelman’s lung power that brought more volunteers to the scene, culminating, a few hours later, with the girl being freed from the wreckage. Something clicked for Edelman that day. For the first time in her life, she felt useful. And she freely admits that she learned something valuable: Getting loud is not such a bad thing. You could also start an Edelman biopic with a moment when she was thirteen, when she decided to approach her mother to tell her that school was for losers and she was going to drop out and go into modeling full time and make lots of money and her family would be happy and she would be on the cover of lots and lots of magazines. They’d all be famous and rich. Wouldn’t that be swell? Her mother was an actress and the parent Edelman appealed to with the hard sell decisions of a headstrong 13 yr. old with big, brown eyes, angular eyebrows and classic cheekbones. According to Edelman, her mother told her – let’s see if we can get this right – “Over my dead body.” It was about that moment that Edelman – besides being pretty torqued at her mother for a while – decided her father wasn’t such a bad role model after all. Her father represented the business side of things – the detail guy. Edelman now says she balances that hyper-accomplished diplomat/marketing expert/journalist/ spokeswoman side of herself with the creative spirit her mother bestowed upon her daughter. She smiles like she’s got this figured out – embrace your inner over-achiever. So, she’s yin and yang and keeps her balance with a strict commitment to jogging, meditation and twice daily check-ins with herself. She’s now billed as the Swiss-Mexican Everywoman who is currently concentrating on the We Are All Human Foundation, which she launched after a 25-year career working for UNICEF, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations as special advisor to high level projects. One way or another, her compulsion-driven sense of purpose has been in charge for most of her life, leading that fawneyed thirteen-year-old who wanted to drop out of school to a world-beating career based on oodles of smarts, common sense and charm. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. So here’s the message of the moment: Hispanics in the United States are strong, but they suffer from “reverse marketing,” she says, which
basically means they are perceived as weak even by themselves. “The Hispanic community is unaware of the strength of its own story,” she wrote recently for an online publication. “And the Hispanic community does not represent its interests as one unified community.” In fact, after the great recession, Latinos created more small business jobs than any other demographic. Hispanics represent 12 percent of the U.S. gross domestic produce and a growing wallop of good, old-fashioned purchasing power. However, in a recent survey, Edelman found that 77 percent of Hispanics were unaware of the clout they could have if they ever spoke with one voice. “When I moved to America a couple of years ago, it was very clear,” she said. “Hispanics have every single ingredient they needed to thrive. They are hard working, passionate, loyal, creative and smart. They get things done,” she said. No doubt about it, Edelman often sounds as if she’s running for office, the champion of a cause who is wooing corporate America with enticing numbers about Hispanics in the workplace and the marketplace. She talks of recent political turnarounds, such as the “#MeToo movement” and the arrival of the LGBT community, which went from obscurity to proud and loud within just a few years. That’s all she wants, a proud and loud Hispanic community unwilling to stay quiet when social, financial and political inclusion is such a win-win all around. Then she mentions something every revolutionary from Clara Campoamor to Cesar Chavez has ever said, that all-purpose rallying cry said with a beaming smile. “The time is right,” she says.
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LATINAS INTEL Courtesy
#SUPPORTLATINAS
What role do you see LatinX playing in your company future? How important is this segment for your industry? We have an opportunity to shape the future of technology as part of our transformation into a data-centric company. The future is all about everything and everyone being connected, and as part of that evolution, people with Hispanic heritage will play an influential role. According to a recent Forbes article, LatinX already represent 18% of the U.S. population, and wield approximately $1.7 trillion in annual buying power. We need to tap into this community of consumers, innovators and leaders to help us design, manufacture and deliver great products and services, and solve big problems and capture exciting opportunities in the world.
How did you become Chief People Officer at Intel? I led Intel’s network infrastructure business prior to becoming Chief People Officer. I’ve been at Intel for over 18 years and have always had a strong affinity for and positive experience with HR. I was asked by our CEO to take on this new responsibility. I am humbled and excited about engaging with our leadership team and employees to drive our culture evolution forward to fuel our innovation and continue to make important contributions to the world. You don’t have a traditional HR career path. What do you bring to the role? I bring experience and success in building and growing businesses, with a core belief in creating an environment where employees want to work, feel valued, and can thrive in their careers. That starts with building great teams. What is your philosophy for leading your team? I lead with the approach that trust is at the foundation of positive relationships and trust is built on a shared set of values, an opportunity to be part of something bigger than yourself, and a sense of responsibility to achieve a common goal. Creating a safe environment where every individual can be heard, contribute, and feel accountable for their work is key.
What challenges do you see for your company and in your industry? What strategies do you have in place to tackle them? In July 2019 during our Q2 earnings call, our CEO Bob Swan outlined three major thrusts for Intel’s game plan to transform our company and grow. First, we're pursuing the largest opportunity in our company's history – a nearly $300 billion total available market comprised not just of CPUs for PCs and servers, but of xPUs and adjacent technologies for an incredibly wide range of workloads and devices. We are not the segment leader in many of the new markets we’re pursuing – we’re the challenger and we have great opportunities for growth. Second, we're strengthening our product leadership by accelerating the rate of innovation. We’re doing this with design thinking, platform capability across a broad range of technology pillars, and a customer-centric approach. And third, we're evolving our culture and improving our execution so that we can play an even greater role in our customer's growth and success. This means more listening, more co-development, more risk-taking, and more partnerships and collaboration.
What are the main lessons you have learned so far? People are our greatest asset and source of innovation. This is something I’ve always believed, and now I have a chance to reinforce that at a larger scale in this role. I was intentional about changing the title for the head of HR from Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to Chief People Officer (CPO). Who or what helped push you to get you to where Having “people” in the title is an important symbol. Our people are at the heart of everything we do at Intel and by activatyou are today? As the daughter of Colombian immigrants, my parents taught ing, empowering and inspiring them to do great work, we will me everything that is important in my life. They taught me to continue to deliver positive impact for the world.
SANDRA RIVERA, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, INTEL
have courage, the importance of learning, teamwork and collaboration, and of course, family first. My parents also showed me the importance and value of a strong work ethic. In addition to my family, I’ve had great mentors and role models that pushed and advocated for me, and leaders who gave me the self-confidence to take on new challenges that I sometimes lacked on my own.
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TRUE VOICE
#SUPPORTLATINAS Lorenzo Almanza
Author and journalist Mariana Atencio has broken several barriers, one of those being of the very few Latina women to cross over from Spanish to English news media giants. Now, Atencio shares all in her new book “Perfectly You”.
Call to Sacrifice
Mariana Atencio’s journey into media has not been an easy one. “I have a first-hand view of the immigrant experience here because I live and breathe it every day,” Atencio said. Atencio grew up in Caracas, Venezuela where she obtained her bachelors’ degree. Knowing she must do more to grow her career, the driven journalist moved to the United States. Atencio knew if she wanted to expand her brand as a Latin journalist, she would have to branch outside her home country. She also knew that in order for stories affecting the Latino-community could be broadcasted to a wider audience, there would have to be someone on the inside pushing. That someone was going to be her. “If I really wanted to pursue my calling and shed light on what was happening in my beloved country, I was going to have to leave,” Atencio said.
Pursuing an Opportunity
But for Atencio, her beginnings in the US weren’t the easiest. She describes having had trouble finding opportunities partly due to her immigration status and her ethnic background. Things changed in 2008 when Atencio was able to obtain a merit scholarship to attend Columbia University in New York City. “Even though I was graduating from Columbia University, I did not have a green card,” Atencio said. “No one wanted to hire me.” She found the job she was looking for when she joined the newspaper at “El Diario,” a newspaper publication in New York City. After a short time with the newspaper, she was faced with another hurdle: unemployment. “I got laid off at the first job at El Diario after a year because of the recession,” Atencio said. But destiny had its plans for Atencio who later on landed a spot with Fusion TV and Univision. In 2016, she left Univision to join the NBC/MSNBC team as correspondent. Atencio has since been recipient of various prestigious award like the Peabody Award for Investigative Journalism, the Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media, among others. Many of Mariana’s toughest challenges are described in her recently-published book, “Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real.” The journey Atencio describes in this part memoir part self-help book, is one she hopes every other Latino and Latina can relate to. “I talk about being unemployed and how I recovered from that,” Atencio said. “I don’t want anyone to look at me and think ‘Oh, she has it all figured out’. In this book, I wanted to lay it all out and tell Latinas who have been there and have felt stuck. Which is why I wanted to write a book with take-aways.” “The message for young people seeing my book ranked up there, is that every single one of our stories deserves to be told,” Atencio said.
PERFECTLY YOU is an inspired autobiography that details the life and work of Mariana Atencio. The book details the struggles the Latin journalist faced throughout her career. Her hope is that this book can give hope to those who share the same struggles. “’Perfectly You’ is a roadmap as to how Latinas can tap into that superpower of being themselves.” You can find “Perfectly You” in stores such as Walmart and Barnes & Nobles. A Spanish version of the book is also available at Amazon.
Words for the Future
Mariana believes that the single greatest investment every Latina can do for themselves is obtain of education. “Education is something no one can take away from you,” Atencio said. “We have to keep presenting the keys to education to every single one of our goals.” If there is any advice Atencio wants to give to future Latina women, its that everyone must keep fighting for their dreams as a whole and that there is only one Latina with your caliber and super power. “Latinas are the keys to the future of our community,” Atencio said. “I want our Latin people to unite and realize our potential.” She hopes that she can continue to inspire young women everywhere and provide them with a platform to present their voice all over the world.
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LATINAS
LATINAS PODEROSAS
LATINA PODEROSA
Lorenzo Almanza
Kay Lopez, founder of social platform Latinas Poderosas, designed a space for Latinas to come together and embrace their culture, a movement that has resonated with women across the country in hopes of pushing Latina empowerment. KAY LOPEZ, the founder of digital platform Latinas Poderosas has proven to be an inspiration for Latinas in the United States. Lopez’s gift is the boldness to speak up and rally women, Latinas specifically. From humble beginnings and daughter of Mexican parents, Houston-native Lopez’s journey began ten years ago having graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelors in Advertisement and Graphic Design. After college Lopez struggled to find employment, “I went interview after interview and couldn’t find anything.” Lopez knocked on doors. She searched across the state of Texas for opportunities that would let her develop her skills in advertising. Moving to a state other than Texas was not a feasible option because of her close-knit relationship to her family. But sometimes that is where opportunities lie, outside our comfort zone. She decided to relocate to New York and try her luck. Lopez began working with several ad agencies. After having bounced around from different agencies, the big break came when the makeup brand L’Oreal offered her an opportunity. “My focus at L’Oreal was multicultural,” Lopez said. “I was at L’Oreal for five years, there I was able to navigate my way into social media. I was focused more on the African-American community versus the Latino community.” “I will say that working so closely with the African-American community, I was able to realize what an impact they have done in terms of all the strides they have made for their community. They are so open about empowering one another and celebrating achievements within the community and that’s really what inspired me to create Latinas Poderosas. It was observing the African-American community because they really speak up for one another and make their voices heard. I just felt the Latino community, although we are making our voices heard now, we are a lot quieter. So that drove me to create Latinas Poderosas.” At the end of 2017, Lopez faced another obstacle: unemployment. “I was laid off at the end of 2017,” Lopez said. “It was definitely a turning point in my career.” Having a tough decision to make, Lopez moved back home for four months and was faced with the question, “What should I do next?” After a long discussion with her
#SUPPORTLATINAS LATINAS PODEROSAS Is a platform that focuses on empowering Latinas by highlighting both past and present women who have made a positive impact in the Latinx community. The social media platform can be found on all forms of social media, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The group has its own website which promotes the empowerment of Latin women by printing shirts with words/phrases such as, “Mija,” Latina,” and “Amorcito Corazon.” The brand also has unique GIFs that represent the beauty of Latinas.
mother, Lopez knew that moving to California was what she needed to do. “If I really want to develop this brand I need to move to California,” Lopez said. She needed to embed herself in the culture if she wanted to grow Latinas Poderosas. Lopez took the plunge and took to LinkedIn to begin connecting with other Latinos, one of them being Ana Flores, founder of WeAllGrowLatina. After a few freelancing gigs, including doing social for People’s Choice Awards, Flores reach out and offered Lopez a job. Ever since, Lopez has work not only in growing WeAllGrowLatina, but also growing Latinas Poderosas. “The women in our community are so powerful,” Lopez said. “We need to celebrate other mujeres in the community.” Lopez’s dedication to the Latin community is illustrated through the roots and background she was instilled with at an early age. She was taught that given the amount of opportunities in front of you, anyone can achieve their goals in life. Lopez continues to call for the empowerment of Latin women. “We need to acknowledge the women in our community,” Lopez said. When it’s all said and done, Kay Lopez hopes to “be known for inspiring people to embrace their culture.”
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CONVICTION AND VIRTUE How did you arrive at this position at Cisco? What values attracted you to this new role? My path to Cisco started with a simple conversation with our CEO, Chuck Robbins. At the time, I wasn’t looking for a change but was so impressed by what I came to learn about Cisco’s legacy and its future. Making the decision to step into a new role soon became very easy when I saw that it was far more than a job, and rather a once in a lifetime opportunity to make an impact – in our industry and our community, and for our customers, partners, and employees. Cisco is a company committed to giving back and diversity at all levels– something I’m passionate about. I was impressed by Cisco’s commitment to inclusion and the fact that the senior leadership team is diverse in terms of gender and ethnicity. I’m extremely proud to work for a company that is leading the way in this space and is committed to making a difference in the world. Your upbringing effects who you are and your life journey. Can you share with us an instance or situation which influenced you to be the leader you are today? As a young girl, I shadowed my grandfather– a modest entrepreneur in Puerto Rico – at work. He engrained in me a strong work ethic and I took note of the way he treated his employees with care and respect. He took time to truly listen to others and he approached even the toughest of conversations with kindness and a deep desire to arrive at a solution that worked for all. Many years later, and in a completely different industry, I find myself calling upon his actions that were impressed upon me. What does it mean to be a Latina within a leadership role this day and age? What excites you and what is a key piece of advice you can share with young professionals looking to excel within their careers? I am extremely proud to be a Latina leader in the technology industry. It’s a tremendous honor that also comes with a certain responsibility to pay it forward. As far as advice goes: Never let anybody decide what you can or cannot do. Ask for advice, but don’t take it all. Foster a strong enough conviction and listen to your intuition and follow your passion.
What has been your biggest challenge as a Latina in corporate America? There have been many times that people have underestimated my abilities, but I’ve always followed my passion, stayed convicted and confident, and let my work speak for itself. What qualities do women bring to leadership positions like yours, and how does this affect the corporate culture? While no traits are truly gender specific, women tend to be great observers and have an amazing ability to connect the dots and spark action as a result. Whether mothers or not, women also often have a strong intuition, an instinct to both include & protect others, and an innate ability to create, which leads to great teaming and innovation. Gender equality issues are now at the forefront, do you believe important changes have been accomplished and what still needs to be done? While we’ve made good progress, we still have a long way to go for women– let alone Latinas and other underrepresented people and communities –in leadership and board positions. This topic is a source of passion for me. For this reason, I am honored to be the executive sponsor for The Multiplier Effect– a powerful sponsorship movement that Cisco started in 2017 to change the equation for diversity across all industries. I truly believe that sponsorship is the key to building diverse teams and a pipeline of incredible talent. We can’t hope things change; we must make things happen.
MARIA MARTINEZ
EVP & Chief Customer Experience Officer at Cisco
On the personal side, how do you nourish yourself to be a better leader? My family is a constant source of inspiration for me; they ground me and guide me to be my best self. Growing up, my mother fought to make a better life for my brother and I – this shaped my sense of family and established my pursuit of the possible. I now have a daughter of my own and think regularly about the steps I can take to ensure that her path is paved a little smoother and that she can reach far beyond where I have. 40 LATINO LEADERS MAY MES / MES JUNE2018 2019
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POWER OF MENTORSHIP AFLAC
HERE TO MENTOR Q&A WITH AFLAC'S CATHERINE HERNANDEZ BLADES Interviewed by Mentee Alexandra Santos Alexandra Santos: What do you consider to be your career highlights or pivotal moments in your career? Catherine Hernandez Blades: There's so many. I am not sure what feeling like you've arrived feels like and I don't want to know. I believe you should continually strive to be better. I'll break it down into four key thoughts: peer recognition, business authority recognition, volunteer work and one that, though I'm listing it as number four, is probably one of the more important ones. First, achieving peer recognitions, like being inducted into the PR Week Hall of Femme and the PR News Hall of Fame at the National Press Corps. Those were key milestones in my career. Second is business authority recognition. These are things that you can't apply for, you're just recognized for. I was named to the Forbes' global list of Top 50 Most Influential CMOs last week. Again, things you can't apply for and they just come. It's very rewarding. The third is around volunteer work; using my career skills that I've built as a business leader first and a passionate leader second. I've served as chair of the boards of The Seminar, Operation Homefront, and CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocacy for children. It’s added such a rewarding dimension to my life and career. It's been very important and pivotal. Finally, because it's very important, what's most extremely fulfilling to me, at this point in my career, is to see the younger members of my team receiving accolades and awards for their work that I may have won previously. Trust me, it is much more exciting and much more fulfilling to have people that work with you win those awards than to have you win them themselves.
which are always the goal in many ways, it must be done through means that are artificial and augmented. By that, I mean, you can do it through artificial intelligence creating an authentic relationship. You may have to do it through augmented reality or in an augmented way, which sounds so inauthentic to relationships, but because of the way people are consuming media and consuming information, it is a huge part of what we need to get smart at going forward.
AS: So how do you see challenges ahead for your company in your industry? What strategies do you have in place to help tackle them? CHB: This is a fascinating question. I just wrote a blog on this. It's called The Golden Rolodex Meets the Golden Algorithm, Eight Things for Comm Pros Should Consider. Between artificial intelligence, bots, technology and evolving stakeholder expectations and tons of other things, your relationships have to be built differently. Because going forward in order to facilitate authentic relationships, 42 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2019
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#SUPPORTLATINAS AS: Did you always aspire to be such an influential, powerful leader? Is it something that your hard work has produced into? CHB: I'm going to go way back and dig deep in my history here. I grew up in rural Louisiana. And I went to Catholic schools. The nuns instill tremendous values around discipline and work ethic. The short answer is no, I didn't aspire to this because growing up in rural Louisiana, I had no role models to look up to and model my behavior after, but I did have a tremendous work ethic. Any influence or corporate-American role that I've achieved has been because I treat people well; I'm consistently learning and growing and evolving this discipline around my work ethic. You've got to find mentors and sponsors and understand the difference. I didn't have a lot of mentors. I have a lot of people that I watched very closely but I don't think I had the courage to step up and ask for it when I was starting out. I did accumulate a lot of sponsors along the way. Sponsors are the ones who do the heavy lift for you because they see something in you that would benefit their company. They see the work. The wonderful work product will get you very, very far. AS: What advice would you give to someone to have the courage to ask somebody to be their mentor or somebody they look up to? What are some tips? CHB: Demonstrate that you're serious about the relationship and that you're not going to be a drain on their time. Go into those meetings prepared and ready to demonstrate that you want to go to the next level.
AS: So, what are some struggles or maybe even personal wins that you've faced being a Latina female, particularly working in a male-dominated industry? And how did you overcome them? CHB: I think the way you overcome it is by achieving business success. Nobody can argue with results. If you can do that personally and professionally, eventually the results will speak for themselves. I'll share one because it's the most egregious and the most offensive and I will clean up the actual language used. I was in this country to make a diving catch on a program and it ended up being very successful. We avoided litigation with another country. All sorts of good things happened for the company. I'm sitting in a conference room with the Prime Minister, a head of that country's military, our team, and, of course, I'm the only woman there, as usual. I lay out the plan and the work is very good. At the end of my presentation, the guy from my company says to me in a very loud and condescending voice in front of this audience, "That's good, especially because you shouldn't even be here." I'm going to say this diplomatically, "because you're not a man." Although the language he used was much more graphic and completely humiliating to me. It took me years to be able to tell that story without crying. If that happened today, I would have handled it privately and wouldn't have done it in that room, but I would have given him a little of his own back. That's something that you just learn over time, space and experience and become more comfortable being the only woman in the room.
AS: What is the philosophy you lead your teams with? What are your key values as a leader? CHB: It’s about seeing everyone as a unique person first. And with that will come shades of gray, but where I draw the bright red line is on ethics, integrity, transparency, and ensuring that all people are treated with dignity and respect. Those tenants are non-negotiable for me. If you do not have integrity, if you do not act ethically, then you have nothing that is useful to yourself, to me or the company. Period.
WRITE AND SHARE #ConnectLL
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POWER OF MENTORSHIP BNY MELLON
ROLE OF A LEADER
Q&A WITH BNY MELLON´S LIZ AGOSTO Interviewed by mentee Paola Vargas Paola Vargas: So, my first question is what core values and key morals have stayed with you throughout your career and have impacted your decision making? Liz Agosto: I always tend to bring this up because it is an important part of who I am. I'm from a pretty large family. I'm one of six girls. So, my family has always played a big role in my life as a source of inspiration and support. I’m a middle child, but for some reason, I've always been the one my sisters come to for help and advice, I know they are watching. It is so important to be mindful of that as you are setting an example for those coming behind you. It is imperative to set the tone, create the narrative, and make sure that you're doing things that are showing the ones coming behind you the right things to do. By that, I mean, as you grow and learn, you must be intentional - teaching, helping, learning, and showing the people that you're working with and those around you lessons in life and that it's okay to fail; it’s an important part of the growth process. PV: Can you share with us an instance or a situation that has influenced you to be the leader you are today? LA: My parents had a very humble beginning. Being a Latina woman of color, and my father being Puerto Rican, my father has always been a very proud man and always says, "Wherever you go, whatever you do, you have to make sure that you leave your mark. You have to make every interaction an experience. Every time people meet you or you go somewhere and give a presentation, it should be an experience. Make sure people know who you are and what you represent. It is essential that you leave everything better than you found it." It’s very simple, but I carry it with me everywhere. PV: What does it mean to you to be a Latina within a leadership role, specifically during this day and age? What is the key piece of advice that you can share with the young professionals looking to excel within their own careers? LA: As a Latina, it means everything to me because I have this incredible opportunity to leave a legacy. That’s one of the things I'm passionate about. With anybody I meet or socialize with through my organization, I want people to know how passionate I am about making a difference and the importance of giving back. I've been extremely fortunate to have incredible mentors and people in my life who've taught me great lessons. Some of the strongest people who I've learned from in some cases haven't been
Paola Vargas
Latinas. That's why it's even more important for me that whenever I go to an event, a speaking engagement or I'm on a panel, that I leave a mark. It fills me with so much pride to be a Latina, to be there representing and being a voice for those coming up behind me, especially in the area of technology; so prominently male-dominated. I feel strongly that, as leaders, it is our biggest responsibility to make sure that we are helping to push up and pull up those that are coming behind us, whether they are Latino or not. It's that personal responsibility. PV: What are the key learnings or key advice that someone gave to you that has stayed with you? LA: I'm going to say to stay curious. I remember my years at Lehman Brothers I worked for the Chief Risk Officer of the firm, and she would often say to me, "Look, it's hard being the only woman in the room, but it's impressive being the only woman in the room." You can't be afraid. You have to ask questions. Don't be afraid to challenge the status quo.
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#SUPPORTLATINAS courage people to take risks and you have to encourage people to fail. People can't be afraid to fail. Leading with empathy and compassion means you are allowing a safe space for them to come in and take risks, the types of calculated risks to some degree where they're like, ‘You know what? I'm going to fall and I'm probably going to fall hard, but there's a possibility that I'm going to crush it. But if I don't and I make mistakes, guess what? I'm going to know better for next time.’ I have people on my team that do that all the time. I'll ask the question, ‘What happened here?’ And they'll say, "Oh, Liz, that's my bad. That was me. I completely fell off," and they'll self-correct. They always come back to me with a solution. It's beautiful to see that. It should never be my way. It should be a collective effort. PV: What does it mean to you, personally, to That's how you build leaders. lead with compassion and what's the impact that you've seen on your team? LA: It's important to lead with compassion and to be an understanding leader and to be aware that people at the end of the day are people - we cannot lose the human element. I think when you motivate and set that intention, you get people excited about what they're going to do. You light that fire in them. Involve them in the process and talk to them about how their work is going to impact the overall while focusing on the ‘we’. I think it gets people excited about the work if they build that pride. It's exciting to see people as they grow. They get excited to bring ideas to the table. You have to enTalk to people, that is such a lost art in today’s digital age. Build a network, ask questions. One of my biggest things also is to be a steward. You want to be able to make your mark and to make your mark and build your brand every day, you have to be out there understanding what's going on and what we can do to make things better. Sometimes it is so inspiring to see the growth, I sit back and I see some of these people that come in, and I'm like, ‘Oh my God, I remember when he or she came in and they were so junior...’ Then you hear them quoting something you said, and you're like, ‘Wow, it really resonated!’ I always say to folks, ‘Pay it forward. Just keep paying it forward.’
"LEADING WITH EMPATHY AND COMPASSION MEANS YOU ARE ALLOWING A SAFE SPACE FOR THEM TO COME IN AND TAKE RISKS..."
Liz Agosto
*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and brevity.
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COMMUNITY TOYOTA
TOYOTA WINS HISPANIC HEARTS AND MINDS WITH RECALLS SAFETY CAMPAIGN
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In 2018, Toyota was tasked with a challenge – to raise awareness in the Hispanic community about the Takata Airbag Safety Recall and its potential for serious injury or even death. And, at the same time, enhancing its brand with Latino consumers, who count among the company’s most loyal buyers.
hanks to a safety-messaging campaign that focused on influential organizations and thought leaders in the Latino community, Toyota was not only able to boost awareness about the Takata Airbag Safety Recall, the biggest automotive recall in history, affecting more than 41 million vehicles from 19 automakers, but also deepen its standing among Hispanics as a trusted brand that promotes consumer safety. Through the “Don’t Risk It, Fix It” campaign, led by AirbagRecall.com, owners can check their vehicle for open recalls, including Takata’s. “Toyota’s safety initiative is a top priority for us in this community, but initially it presented a challenge,” said Sebastian Ontiveros, national director of the Multicultural Business Alliance and Strategy Group for Toyota North America, based in Plano, Texas. “Toyota has been the top-selling automotive brand among Latinos since 2004 and we didn’t want to have this recall create confusion among these customers. We wanted to get owners to check their airbags, so by leveraging partnerships with our key Hispanic partner organizations, we had the unique opportunity to get our safety messaging out in the community, and it worked.” Reaching Hispanic consumers was of particular concern, because these defective airbags pose greater risks in hot and humid climates and can spray sharp metal fragments directly at the driver and passengers when they deploy. Among the top states for Hispanic populations where the risk is greater are Texas, California, and Florida.
Additionally, Toyota took its “Safety Lounge” booth to key national events and conferences across the United States, reaching approximately 6,000 attendees at the biggest and most influential Latino community gatherings, including UnidosUS, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Toyota’s “Safety Lounge” displayed in English and Spanish the steps for attendees to check their vehicle for open recalls, connected them to their nearest dealer and emphasized the free and easy repair. Free tows and other alternate transportation to help get repairs done was also offered. Members of the media also played an essential role in the campaign. Toyota’s “celebrity ambassador” Neida Sandoval, an Emmy-award winning Spanish-language TV journalist, made nine primetime appearances urging viewers
to check their vehicles’ airbags, and also held Facebook live events. Toyota’s media tool kit reached 150,000 members in the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ network. The campaign resulted in 25 million social media impressions, 124 earned media placements, and 430 million earned media impressions across digital, print and broadcast. “This campaign revealed the true spirit of our tagline Vayamos Juntos by proving how we grow in strength, kindness and knowledge when we all work together and care for each other's wellbeing,” said Ontiveros.
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
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In a first-world country, like the U.S., we are constantly experiencing innovative technology, but the challenge has been in replacing old technologies to provide for expanding communities. Public infrastructure is the all-inclusive industry that ultimately builds a nation. In the span of Public Infrastructure, the most essential necessities include:
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Transportation- railways, airports, roads
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Power Grid- solar energy, fossil fuels, wind power, hydropower Telecommunicationsbroadband, mobile, satellites, fiber optic
Water- water supply, treatment, storage, flood prevention
5 Social Infrastructure- government centers, universities, hospitals
The questions posed are
What role do Latinos play in developing a smart city agenda? How can we rebuild a more sustainable infrastructure? In a 2017 TIME article about public infrastructure, the words resonated. “Investment in infrastructure is investment in change. It represents a people’s belief in something better yet to come, and the willingness to help it along.” Latinos are here to be part of that investment, and our team interviewed some of them to learn more about their part in this contribution.
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AMERICAN TRIPLE I
THE HEART OF EVERY SOCIETY
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or the last 40 years, Cisneros has championed the importance of a good foundation across local and national government levels. As Mayor of San Antonio, Cisneros was the driving force behind the development of the city’s stadium, a new airport terminal, flood control tunnels under the San Antonio River, a nuclear power project and many other projects that have shaped the identity of the Texas city. As the Secretary of Housing & Urban Development in the 1980s, Cisneros played an integral role in housing but also urban economic development initiatives across the United States. He’s since spent time working on generating economic development projects to benefit the public for the foreseeable future. He believes that the best functioning societies are the ones that prioritize their infrastructure systems. Unfortunately, Cisneros’ perfect world and the United States’ current infrastructure don’t see eye to eye. “We’ve been living off past accomplishments for too long. There are water systems, road networks, buildings, airport terminals, and countless other works that desperately require renovations.” Some systems in smaller towns are antiquated and outdated; in fact, many cities like Flint, Michigan with water systems that are over 100 years old. The American Council for Civil Engineering graded the United States on its infrastructure, from the most advanced systems to the oldest currently operating. They gave the United States a D+ for its outdated infrastructure -- the lowest grade any advanced country has received.
HENRY CISNEROS’
CHAIRMAN, AMERICAN TRIPLE I
Henry Cisneros’ views on the value of infrastructure in the United States, local government, and the future of public works. To say Henry Cisneros is passionate about infrastructure would be an understatement.
But how did we get to this point? Jake Rivard
Luis E. González
“We took our eye off the ball.” A variety of factors played a role in the United States’ structural shortcomings. Due to over-investment in foreign wars, financial troubles, and budgetary concerns, the government opted to reduce infrastructural funding, short-circuiting development in
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HENRY CISNEROS Title: Chairman, American Triple I Education: Bachelor of Arts, Texas A&M University Master of Urban & Regional Planning, Texas A&M University Master of Public Administration, Harvard University; Doctor of Public Administration, George Washington University Background: Henry Cisneros first found his interest in infrastructure in college, where he became heavily involved in the Urban and Regional Planning program at Texas A&M. After graduation, he became a city councilman in San Antonio, and was elected Mayor in 1981. After a successful tenure as Mayor of San Antonio, he became the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in 1993. He’s since helped lead multiple successful businesses, including CityView, an urban residential investment firm, and Siebert Cisneros Shank, a national public finance firm.
local governments and allowing infrastructure systems to become obsolete, deteriorated, and congested. Additionally, the lack of private capital in the public sector put urban development in a stranglehold; for example, creating the water crisis now visible in cities like Flint and Newark. It is also more evident than ever when you look at growing cities. Places like Denver, Seattle, and Austin struggle to keep up with their booming populations, often leading to long periods of traffic congestion. Public transportation, which should be a priority within these larger cities, is inadequate , creating environmental damage and a disconnect between urban and rural communities. Cisneros believes that cities with strong public transportation and traffic management will be leaders in the economy of the future. Energy and power systems should also be kept at the top of mind. “Almost everything we own -- our phones, cars, laptops, and even traffic lights -- rely on electricity.” Keeping the system current, modern, and efficient should be one of our top priorities. If the electrical system can’t keep up with the advancements of modern technology, our productivity and advancements will slow to a crawl. “Infrastructure, as a whole, makes improvements in national productivity and in our quality of life possible.” Having said that, there is a major opportunity for improvements in infrastructure on
“INFRASTRUCTURE MAKES IMPROVEMENTS IN NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE POSSIBLE.” the horizon -- and that should include the Latino community. “As Latinos, we will play an integral role in the future,” Cisneros pleads. He believes there is a massive opportunity for a Golden Age of infrastructure; and the Latino community can be the ones to bring it to full force. Technological advancements are pushing the rest of the world into a new era of urban development. The future will feature mobility projects that can better navigate through traffic, airports that more efficiently use time, and water systems that monitor quality to keep our health in constant check. With these technological developments on the horizon, the United States and private firms will need a variety of talent from different backgrounds to positively impact communities big and small. With this in mind, Cisneros believes that there’s an excellent opportunity for the Latino community to play a key role in the future of infrastructure in our country. While businesses are focusing on hiring more minorities, Cisneros believes that it’s important for younger Latinos to start taking a closer look at careers within infrastructure. Within the near future, smaller construction, engineering, design and financial firms will blossom into larger corporations, and the need for employees with good work ethic and budding talent will become a top priority. The role of Latino governmental
leaders of the future will become an asset within the infrastructure community for years to come. In the future, Cisneros wants to use his infrastructural experience as a boom for his community. The American Triple I, Infrastructure, Innovation, Investment, Cisneros’ most recent business initiative, works to invest in projects that will benefit communities around the United States. Since pension systems and insurance companies need to reinvest their earnings in order to meet their obligations, American Triple I attempts to raise capital for infrastructure through their investments. In a sense, it’s a win-win for both groups. The insurance and pension funds generate investment returns, while Triple I deploys capital for infrastructure projects. The reinvention of the American public infrastructure system won’t be an overnight job. But it’s a job that Henry Cisneros and the future leaders in the Latino community can fulfill to build a brighter future. “Housing exists where there’s a demand for jobs, and jobs exist where there is healthy infrastructure,” Cisneros says. “It’s our duty as American to build a world we’d want our children and our children’s children to experience. That should be a goal for the coming generations -- the enrichment of our quality of life through our infrastructure.” MAY / JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 51
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE SEMPRA ENERGY
TAKING SMART RISKS
By 2050, there will be 10 billion people on planet Earth, said the Sempra Energy Executive Vice President and Group President Dennis V. Arriola, sensing an organic growth opportunity for the energy sector. “They will all need energy to power their lives, and we (at Sempra Energy) concluded years ago that low-carbon energy delivery is the best business model for us,” he said.
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HE COMPANY’S GOAL, said Arriola, is to serve up the cleanest natural gas in the country by 2030 “by delivering 20 percent renewable natural gas,” which promises to be more affordable – and more necessary – every year, given the slow decline of natural gas resources and the push for less CO2 in the atmosphere. (Natural gas supplies are expected to last at least 100 years or more in the United States, but that doesn’t mean the decline starts later. It already started.) With that in mind, Arriola, a graduate of Stanford and Harvard, is well groomed for guiding company boards towards fair-minded decisions. He also knows who’s in the driver’s seat. “Early in my career, I did a stint in banking that helped me understand the critical role of finance in helping industries and companies grow, and I’ve been able to pull from that experience in finance during the last 20 years I’ve been with Sempra Energy,” Arriola said. Great executives learn how to share decisions and Arriola is executive stamp through and through from his resume to his broad shoulders to his public relations savvy to his unassuming necktie. Prior to his current role at Sempra, he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), one of Sempra’s prized assets, and prior to that he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of both SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric, another Sempra trophy. In a separate incarnation, he’s the Chairman of the Board at the California Latino Economic Institute, a sensible choice given his Latino roots and his experiences directing Sempra’s international concerns south of the border. (Arriola is a prominent fixture on the boards of several Sempra assets in South America: Chilquinta Energia in Chile; Luz Del Sur in Peru and Energetica Nova in Mexico.)
Timothy Baler Courtesy Luis González
Dennis Arriola Executive Vice President and Group President Great executives also turn lemons into profitable lemonade stands. When asked if he’s encountered obstacles on the way to the top floor, Arriola said, “I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by bright people throughout my career. Being exposed to a variety of voices and perspectives helps leaders navigate round challenges. Diversity breeds creativity and more effective problem solving. So, I feel very lucky that obstacles have often turned into exciting opportunities.” He didn’t misread the question. He just knew how to turn it into lemonade. And, he’s willing to share that enthusiasm. “Latinos, like so many others in the workforce, want to have jobs that enable them to be part of something bigger than themselves. They’re looking for purpose-driven companies like Sempra Energy that play a significant role in supporting local communities,” he said. He noted Latinos are deservedly applauded for their “strong work ethic,” which has already benefited Sempra to the tune of 38 percent of their workforce. But a business model of growth doesn’t always mean more jobs anymore, because job-replacing technology can outpace economic growth. With that in mind, “as our workforce ages, we’ll need to replenish our talent pool with tech-forward employees,” Arriola said, pointing out that energy opportunities are expected to grow in the United States and Mexico, but those poised to take advantage of this will be STEM-educated workers. (STEM standing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.) Further, as this is the energy sector, “technology will be a huge driver of change within our industry,” said Arriola, who advised, “Companies must be willing to embrace change and take smart risks.”
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
SEMPRA ENERGY
INFRASTRUCTURE’S TOP LATINA Will Hollo
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Maria Contreras-Sweet is considered one of the most influential Latinas in Public Infrastructure. Her platform, her experience, her knowledge are all features that compliment her passion and determination to improve the Latino narrative.
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aria Contreras-Sweet is an influential public servant and energy entrepreneur with humble beginnings. At the age of 5, Contreras-Sweet immigrated from Mexico to Los Angeles with her mother and five siblings. Growing up, she could not help but notice the disparity in public infrastructure existing between affluent neighborhoods and her own. She observed the unequal ways in which public resources were distributed, disproportionately serving wealthy areas and ignoring poorer ones. These early experiences instilled in Contreras-Sweet a strong interest in the workings of public infrastructure and a deep desire to address its shortcomings. She brought this drive to her first big role in the world of government, as Cabinet Secretary of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BTHA). When she was appointed to this position by Governor Gray Davis, Contreras-Sweet became the first Latina to be named a Cabinet Secretary in United States history. During her 5-year term, Contreras-Sweet oversaw 44,000 employees and a $14 billion budget. Two of her biggest accomplishments in this role were the construction of the eastern span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and the passage of a $2.1 billion housing bond. As Cabinet Secretary, Contreras-Sweet valued connectivity, inclusivity and efficiency above all else and always advocated for her public infrastructure projects to be empathetic and human-centered. This remained her focus when she joined Barack Obama’s Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration in 2014. Through all of her work in both the public and private sectors, Contreras-Sweet has worked to get Latino communities involved in her projects. She sees how Latinos have long been underrepresented in both government and the corporate world and has worked tirelessly to bridge this gap. As an example, Contreras-Sweet helped found ProAmérica Bank, a financial institution providing minority-owned businesses with the capital they need to get off the ground and then flourish once established. Contreras-Sweet now serves on the Board of Directors for Sempra Energy, an energy company with approximately 40 million electric and natural gas customers worldwide. Through this work, Contreras-Sweet contributes to the development of critical energy infrastructure for communities in need. Currently, Sempra Energy is in pursuit of five natural gas facilities in North America (four in the United States and one in Mexico). When asked about their impact, Contreras-Sweet says these facilities will create jobs, cut the trade deficit and improve the energy security of both countries. Thanks to people like Contreras-Sweet
who are bent on developing equitable public infrastructure, reliable energy is now being provided to communities who used to lack it. Just like Contreras-Sweet, Sempra Energy as a company focuses on building up underrepresented communities through its supplier diversity program. The California Public Utilities Commission sets an annual goal for 21.5% of procurement to come from diverse business enterprises. Sempra Energy’s two California utilities – Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) – both exceed that goal by a considerable margin (42% for SoCalGas and 44.6% for SDG&E in 2017). Contreras-Sweet believes the company sets a great example for others in this regard. She notes, “Employers must embrace diversity enthusiastically. It’s an economic imperative and the right thing to do.” Maria Contreras-Sweet is extremely optimistic about the future of the Latino community. In the age of globalization and with so many new technologies on the horizon – unprecedented levels of connectivity, new and innovative modes of transportation that remind you of the Jetsons –Contreras-Sweet implores Latinos to seize all the opportunities arising. She recognizes the resourcefulness and creativity of the Latino community and believes these characteristics will give Latinos a unique advantage as the world continues to change. MAY / JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 53
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE NADB
FUNDING THE FUTURE For Alex Hinojosa, impacting the community was an important pursuit but with North American Development Bank it all became a reality that was crossing border lines. Will Hollo
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lex Hinojosa is a financier who works as managing director for North American Development Bank (NADB), an institution that does far-reaching, impactful work in the world of public infrastructure development. Hinojosa was born in Mexico and immigrated to San Antonio with his parents as an infant. He has been there ever since, attending St. Mary’s for grade school and then University of Texas San Antonio for college. Hinojosa went on to earn his MBA in Finance, then spent years working for various finance firms and other organizations before finding NADB. As an important bit of background information, NADB is a binational financial institution capitalized and governed equally by the federal governments of the United States and Mexico for the purpose of financing large infrastructure projects. In short, the United States and Mexico provide money to NADB, which is then distributed to state and local governments on both sides of the border from Imperial Valley to Big Bend for investment in infrastructure projects of all shapes and sizes. NADB focuses on financing environmental projects – their stated mission is to finance or fund infrastructure that has a benefit to the environment. In previous professional roles, Hinojosa had worked with banks that distributed cash and leveraged debt for infrastructure development throughout the Southwest. He had also worked and become familiar with utilities of all types in Mexico. By the time Hinojosa joined NADB, he had an ideal skillset to put to use in his new role. It quickly became clear that Hinojosa could have an enormous impact with an institution like NADB simply because of the sheer volume of funding it could provide for significant infrastructure projects. With NADB, Hinojosa managed a program for the Environmental Protection Agency called the Border Environment Infrastructure Fund, which mostly provided grant funding for sorely-needed infrastructure projects in small communities along the border region. For instance, NADB funded the development of numerous wastewater treatment facilities throughout Mexico. When NADB started this work in 1994, only about 22% of all wastewater in Mexico was being treated, while the rest was dumped into rivers and streams without treatment. Today, that number is closer to 88%, a huge improvement. NADB played a central role in this change by funding the development of wastewater treatment facilities in numerous communities in need.
*EDITOR’S NOTE: As of the date for publication, Alex Hinojosa is no longer the Managing Director of the North American Development Bank.
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Hinojosa and NADB also gave the wind energy market its start in northern Mexico with big projects they financed. In addition to simply providing a reliable source of energy for communities connecting to these power grids, NADB furthered its impact by ensuring that contracts for people choosing to lease their land for wind towers were fair and equitable. For these people, many of whom had no choice but to live off the land previously, these contracts continue to provide a rare opportunity for a new source of income to be earned as a percentage of the wind company’s earnings. Through all of this work, Hinojosa has learned that adequate public infrastructure is the backbone of economic development. Before basic needs are met – access to reliable electricity and clean water, for example – people can scarcely invest in themselves or build community. On the contrary, when basic needs have been met, people have room to look forward, invest in themselves and build their own futures. Institutions like NADB invest in critical public infrastructure projects to help meet these basic needs, effectively establishing a foundation for people to use as a jumping off point.
01 ACCIONA_ Puerto Libertad 02 Wind energy, TresMesas 03 SunlandParkNM 04 WillcoxAZ
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
SIEMENS
DRAFTING THE FUTURE Judy Martinez-Faye oversees Siemens’ involvement in large infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. Over the course of her career, she has worked to provide a voice for those who lack one, initially through law and government, and now within the world of public infrastructure. Will Hollo
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iemens’ Center for Urban Development seeks to provide decisionmakers with a team of professionals who are well-versed in the processes, needs and goals of municipal governments and can assist those governments with their most significant infrastructure projects. As an example, Siemens is supporting Chicago O’Hare in the completion of a $9 billion expansion project and at the same time operating existing building automation and energy analytics systems at the airport. Through this work, Judy Martinez-Faye and her team are increasing O’Hare’s overall capacity and maximizing the efficiency of existing systems, literally building the future of transportation infrastructure in the process. Martinez-Faye says the biggest challenge in her work is to align all the company’s departments in their operations and goals. She understands well that within such a huge conglomerate, individual departments have a tendency to silo themselves off from each other and lose sight of the company’s larger goal, the overall puzzle within which their work is only one piece. But in a beautiful display of Martinez-Faye’s mindset, she notes that at Siemens, “the challenges are the same as the opportunities.” In other words, despite the challenges that result from the company’s size, its size is also the very reason that it can work in almost every realm of public infrastructure. As a result, people in cities all over the world benefit from projects completed by Siemens. For all of the challenges that Martinez-Faye faces in her work, she enjoys the fact that her company brings solutions to people who really need them. Over the next few decades, Martinez-Faye foresees great changes occurring within the world of public infrastructure. She envisions future cities that are entirely multicultural, promoting diversity at all levels and without any geographical gaps in where technological solutions are provided. When asked about how Latinos specifically fit into this progression, Martinez-Faye notes there is enormous potential. She points out that Latino populations are skyrocketing all over the country and how within these communities, there is a palpable drive to live the American dream and to create greater futures. Along the same vein, Siemens is working hard to get Latinos and other disenfranchised peoples involved in the world of public infrastructure from early on. The company runs a small business program with a focus on minority
Judy MartinezFaye, Chief City Executive of Siemens’ Center for Urban Development.
JUDY MARTINEZ Was born in Chicago to Mexican parents. She first worked as a criminal prosecutor in Chicago and then for the Office of the Mayor of Chicago before joining Siemens about 8 years ago.
SIEMENS FOUNDATION Works to support women and minorities who want to be engineers and scientists. The Foundation has invested more than $115 million to advance workforce development and education initiatives in STEM.
and women-owned businesses, and operates a foundation that is focused on supporting students of minority groups that are interested in becoming engineers.. The company also recently signed The Hispanic Promise, an effort spearheaded by the We are All Human Foundation launched at the 2019 World Economic Forum. The Promise serves as a call to action for businesses and organizations to hire, retain and promote employees of Hispanic descent and empower them in the workplace. More than anything, Martinez-Faye works to improve the lives of people and wants others to know they can do the same. “I never thought I would end up being an executive for Siemens, but here I am. I want to show other people like me that it’s possible and that it’s really up to you to make it work.” MAY / JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 55
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
CLARO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS
ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AND TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP
JORGE RODRÍGUEZ
CLARO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS PRESIDENT AND CEO
Jorge Rodríguez and his wife are the parents of seven children. Their approach to parenting is based on support and guidance rather than criticizing, and on listening, understanding and empathy. He has applied this philosophy to his professional career, and to his current role as President and CEO of IT and telecom services company Claro Enterprise Solutions. Jacob Rivard
Jesse Nogales
Luis E. González
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motional intelligence is the foundation of leadership and distinction,” Rodríguez says. “It’s the most critical component of enabling organizational productivity and adaptability. As technology and globalization continue to transform the overall business environment, EI may be the key to enabling organizational sustainability.” Rodríguez has been the CEO of Claro Enterprise Solutions (formerly Telmex USA) for the past 15 years, and has 30 years of experience in the industry at AT&T, AT&T Latin America and Telmex. He attributes his success to a focus on a few core principles: driving a sound organizational culture; ensuring that diversity and inclusion initiatives are a strategic imperative; and a commitment to life-long learning. Rodríguez says the biggest mistake businesses make is to fail to establish the appropriate enterprise architecture needed to support existing operations and guide future evolution. “If you
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“IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION THAT ENCOMPASSES THE THREE CRITICAL PILLARS - PEOPLE, PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGY - THE ORGANIZATION WILL NOT BE ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO RESPOND TO DISRUPTION.” - JORGE RODRÍGUEZ don’t have a good foundation that encompasses the three critical pillars – people, process and technology – the organization will not be adequately prepared to respond to disruption.” Rodríguez and his team work extensively with customers on a global level to develop digital strategies aimed at redefining and transforming operational and customer engagement models. He has even developed a quantifiable formula to help organizations measure how foundation and culture impact the value a business creates. Agility is key, he says, and is “is what enables enterprises to evolve and succeed.” In today’s dynamic world of disruptive technology, Rodríguez believes awareness of evolving trends, constant learning and staying ahead of the curve are essential. He walks the talk, having earned several post-graduate degrees, including a Master of Science in Technology from Columbia University; he also serves as an executive mentor at Columbia’s Center for Technology Management. “The world is constantly changing, which means our customer needs are changing as well. To meet those needs, we must constantly research opportunities for growth and learn everything we can to provide the best service possible.“ Traditionally, telcos focused on connectivity, network capabilities and a product-centric approach. Claro Enterprise Solutions has evolved to deliver a broad range of business-to-business solutions that encompass an integrated and consultative approach to addressing customer needs. The company’s current portfolio is divided into three elements: Business-as-a-Service, the foundational elements of connectivity
and business collaboration; Managed Services, or consultative services, designed to develop and manage new, digital operating models; and Internet of Things, or edge solutions, that leverage the power of connected networks of smart devices and the insights gleaned from data analytics. As the world has changed, and as the company’s foundational telecom services have evolved to a broader, services-oriented approach, Rodríguez has effectively shifted the conversation from a focus on technology to a focus on the customer and the overall customer experience. In the future, Rodríguez believes that intelligent interfaces will continue to evolve and redefine how companies interact with their consumers, employees and their ecosystems. “The capability of real-time feedback will transform interactions between people, machines and data to create a superior customer experience. A new dimension of instant gratification will be upon us, while productivity and efficiencies will reach new levels.” To complement the technology foundation, Rodríguez believes forward-looking people and evolutionary talent acquisition strategies will be critical. “Many of the jobs of the future don’t even exist yet, so we will need to be creative in identifying and nurturing the specific skill sets that redefine the employee experience and enable organizational agility. Companies that think outside the box in terms of education and training, as well as those that are truly committed to diversity and inclusion, will have an edge.” Rodríguez views a comprehensive approach to the
JORGE M. RODRÍGUEZ Title: President & CEO of Claro Enterprise Solutions Education: Bachelor of Arts in Biology/Molecular Biology, Colgate University Master of Business Administration, Rochester Institute of Technology Master of Science in Technology, Columbia University AMP International Business, KeenanFlagler, UNC Chapel Hill Background: Born to two Cuban immigrants in the 60s, Jorge Rodríguez has prided himself on his work ethic inherited from decades of family values. He initially went to school for molecular biology, but quickly found himself interested in the ins and outs of business; specifically, the world of technology and telecommunication. Rodríguez rose quickly through the ranks of AT&T and AT&T Latin America as he tackled challenging assignments with exceptional results. Now, Rodríguez serves as the CEO of Claro Enterprise Solutions, and manages the firm’s global corporate segment at the enterprise level.
“ORGANIZATIONAL AGILITY IS THE CRITICAL ELEMENT THAT WILL ENABLE ENTERPRISES TO EVOLVE AND SUCCEED.” future of work as a strategic imperative that companies must embrace to ensure long-term competitiveness. Like all things in Jorge Rodríguez’s life, embracing change and managing transformational initiatives are part of his daily routine. His commitment to excellence – both personally and professionally – drives his relentless dedication. As technology continues to evolve and define new capabilities, so will Jorge’s support of his customers’ strategies to ensure long-term organizational sustainability. MAY/ JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 57
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
CLARO ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS
"AS TECHNOLOGY AND GLOBALIZATION • Temperature Monitoring Analytics CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM THE OVERALL •• Fuel Fleet Management BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, EI MAY BE THE KEY TO • Location Services Combine innovation with customer foENABLING ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY.” Approach cus to help businesses evolve to new Claro Enterprise Solutions: Evolve Together
operational models. Optimize existing technology investments and integrate • UCaaS • SD-WAN legacy systems and applications with • MPLS • DIA digital capabilities. Tailor solutions to align to unique business requirements. Managed Services: cloud-based service Help customers drive operational imdelivery models, data analytics, process provement and deliver engaging cusimprovement, outsourcing and intelligent tomer experiences. automation to support new ways of doing business. Solutions include:
Claro Enterprise Solutions, a global provider of IT and telecom services, was launched in June of 2018 as a re-brand of Telmex USA, the U.S.-based subsidiary of América Móvil. Through an extensive portfolio of services and solutions, Claro Enterprise Solutions delivers innovation and customer-driven • Digital Transformation solutions and services to existing and new • Retail & Hospitality • Contact Center Services markets across the Americas and Europe.
Solutions Portfolio
Business as a Service: foundational building blocks of communication, collaboration and security aligned to meet specific business requirements. Solutions include:
Internet of Things/Over the Top Solutions: innovation through the deployment of smart sensors and communications platforms to collect and analyze data. Solutions include:
www.usclaro.com @USClaro @USClaro usclaro
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE ONCOR
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT
How Richard Casarez and Oncor are powering the future of Texas
Jake Rivard
Luis E. González
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FOLLOW US @LatinoLeadersUS
One third of all of Texas’s energy is delivered from Oncor, the state’s largest electric distribution company. While it’s an impressive feat on its own, Vice President of Customer Operations Richard Casarez has his eyes set on the future. The innovation and development of Oncor’s infrastructure is his top priority. With over 220 cities that need power on a constant basis, Casarez sees no shortage of opportunity in the marketplace.
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Current Position: Vice President of Customer Operations, Oncor Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, University of Texas Background: As a first-generation college student, Casarez’s parents made sure he knew the importance of education. This helped him to value his education above all else as he pursued his degree in Engineering at the University of Texas. Since graduation, he’s served a multitude of roles at Oncor, eventually earning the title of Vice President of Customer Operations. He now manages the community relations with over 220 cities in Texas.
Courtesy
S THE LIAISON between Oncor and the communities the company serves, Casarez makes it a goal to stay ahead of the curve for any situation. He’s played an integral role in Oncor’s awards for low emissions, high safety grades, and positive impacts on communities throughout the state of Texas. The company itself invests nearly $2 billion a year on infrastructure -- thanks in no small feat to Casarez’s passion for growth. Innovation, Casarez believes, is the key to developing long-lasting infrastructure to impact the ever-changing world. “Oppor-
RICHARD CASAREZ
tunity is in the air. The United States’ aging infrastructure allows us plenty of chances to help build the world of the future.” Oncor’s role as a pioneer of Texan electricity provides Casarez and the rest of the company plenty of room to push the state into the future of energy. The biggest challenges that Casarez and Oncor have been facing involve supply and demand. With Texas’s recent oil boom, the job market has shifted to accommodate the influx of wealth in the area. This job market shift has brought a lot of strategic thinking to Casarez’s department, where he and his team have worked with communities
to better assist the development of their respective workforce. While this abrupt labor shortage may seem like a setback for Oncor, Casarez sees it as an opportunity for talent acquisition -- specifically, growth in the Latino community. Opportunity for growth in the Latino community is in the air, says Casarez. Every year, Oncor invests over $200 million in Minority and Women-Owned businesses across the state. Advocates will visit classes and communities, offering training and mentorship programs to the youth and adults interested in a career within the power industry. Internally, Hispanic mentorship groups offer role models to young and upcoming employees looking to grow within their own field. Casarez, a champion of mentorship, cites these opportunities as integral for his personal growth at Oncor. Casarez says two things separate the average employee apart from the crowd: a passion for people and a passion for growth. “In business, people are the ultimate difference-makers. They can help you grow into your role or prepare you for future encounters. I wouldn’t be who I am today without my mentors.” Casarez champions mentorship and leadership programs above all else. He believes that the best leaders are the ones who are passionate and driven to accomplish above all else. With Richard Casarez at the helm, the future is bright for Oncor and the people of Texas.
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE CORDOBA CORPORATION
CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY Over the course of his career, George L. Pla has been a major contributor to the development of sorely-needed public infrastructure in the state of California.
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Will Hollo
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Luis E. González
he nature of Pla’s early years is not unlike that of innumerable immigrants from Latin America who once looked north to the United States and imagined a better way of life, a better opportunity. Pla reflects, “I came here, didn’t know the language, [I was] a stranger in a strange land.” Despite encountering many cultural barriers over the years, Pla forged ahead. He received a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a Master’s in Public Policy between the years 1968 and 1974, in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement. His experiences during this period instilled in Pla a drive to do impactful work within his community. At the young age of 29, Pla found himself working a dream job as a key advisor on economic and business development matters in California Governor Jerry Brown’s first administration. This work exposed him to the real world side of public infrastructure, and he realized that many people lacked basic needs like adequate roads, electricity, and clean water. While working in the Governor’s administration, Pla recognized that what California needed most for its infrastructure development was a quality mid-sized firm that understood the needs of the local community, but was large enough to have the technical resources needed for effective infrastructure development. In response, he founded Cordoba Corporation in 1983, a civil engineering firm with a company motto of Making a Difference where you live and where you work. Today, Cordoba Corporation operates seven offices in California, has nearly 400 employees, and designs and completes transportation, water, education and energy infrastructure projects all over the state. The primary difficulty that Pla has dealt with over his years with Cordoba Corporation is access to capital. While the firm has always found ways to borrow money and leverage debt to continue its growth, it has historically been difficult for Latino corporations to find consistent and trustworthy sources of capital. Pla believes that if Latino (and other minority) corporations had equal access to capital within the world of public infrastructure development, they would thrive even more than they already are. When asked about the state of public infrastructure within the United States as compared to other countries, Pla noted that the United States has fallen behind in certain sectors, and he is concerned that many decisionmakers lack long-term vision. He recalls that during his time serving in Governor Brown’s administration in 1970s, the California’s population was anticipated to increase to 40 million residents in the decades to come. However, over the decades the state did not adequately plan for that the
GEORGE L. PLA
PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CORDOBA CORPORATION impacts of such a population boom. Now we see housing shortages, traffic jams, air pollution, and problems with water quality. Knowing that we cannot change the past, however, Pla looks forward. He sees several statewide infrastructure projects as representing ideal opportunities to right the ship. Two examples are the California High-Speed Rail Project and ensuring for the availability of safe and clean water for all of California’s communities In addition to his role heading Cordoba, Pla is also a recently published author. His, book, Power Shift:
How Latinos in California Transformed Politics in America, was released last year to critical acclaim. The book recounts the origins and development of ten East Los Angeles-based Latino leaders who transformed politics and government, forging a progressive political tradition that has had a profound impact on public policy on the national level on such important issues as voting rights, immigration and the census. While he recognizes that California’s public infrastructure is behind the curve as compared to other leading economies around the world, Pla has not lost hope. He notes that California is currently blessed with several visionary leaders who are committed to infrastructure, job creation and improving communities. He implores us to invest in and work to improve the communities we live in now, to start small before we can make change on a bigger scale. MAY / JUNE 2019 LATINO LEADERS 61
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE DHA
LOCAL LEADERSHIP
Jorge Baldor is chairman of the Board of Commissioners for DHA, Housing Solutions for North Texas (DHA) and serves as the chairperson for DHA’s Business Development Committee. Born in Havana, Cuba, Baldor immigrated to Dallas with his family at the age of six. Will Hollo
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e has contributed to community building in Dallas in every way, from helping people get back on their feet to offering leaders guidance once they are well-established. After8toEducate, an umbrella organization he founded, is a collaborative effort bringing together community engagement, philanthropists and foundations to address the homeless youth population in North Texas. He also recently founded Mercado369 in the heart of Oak Cliff, a community art center and cafe reflecting the rich culture and history of Latin America from Mexico to Argentina. Creating more opportunities for people has always been Baldor’s focus. Wanting his work to be as impactful as possible, Baldor got his start as an entrepreneur. From the onset, he was involved in the world of housing. He started by creating a debt collection service, which branched into a resident screening company called ResidentCheck in 1994. Just last year, Baldor sold ResidentCheck to an international conglomerate and became chairman of DHA. Of all his projects, Baldor’s work with DHA may be one of the most far reaching and personal – Baldor’s aunt and grandfather lived in DHA residences. While DHA has been criticized in the past, he says, these criticisms are mostly based on decades-old grievances that are no longer accurate or germane. DHA has undergone fundamental change in many ways over the years. First (and contrary to the widely-held perception that DHA housing units are located in rundown buildings in isolated parts of the city), most of DHA’s housing units have been replaced or renovated and today bear no resemblance to the image of old. Next, DHA’s accounting and communications departments, which once were chief sources of complaints from residents, have been wholly reworked and are much more efficient than they used to be. As the chairman of DHA’s Board of Commissioners, Baldor has leveraged his experience in the resident screening industry and helped lead the creation of a joint task force between the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas (AAGD) and DHA. This joint task force is focused on enabling DHA to work more effectively with landlords and property managers to help create more affordable housing opportunities across the region.
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on providing housing across seven counties in North Texas and serves 55,000 people each day. The organization hopes to provide pathways for its clients to become self-sufficient. Baldor is also focused on fostering opportunities for Latinos in leadership positions. In 2015, he founded the Latino Center for Leadership Development (LCLD), which builds a pipeline of leaders and ideas for the Latino community. The LCLD works with leaders who have true hearts of service and proven histories of giving back to their communities. In essence, the LCLD assists these people in being even more impactful in their positions within their places of work. Baldor says it’s more important than just holding a position on a corporate board or as a business executive; leaders must be as effective as possible while holding these positions. The LCLD also encourages leaders to constantly set new goals for advancement. If you’re going to be on the board, why not be the chairperson? By working with leaders in all sorts of different fields through the LCLD, Baldor has extended his impact on the world of public infrastructure beyond the provision of public housing. He has done great work in the world of developing public infrastructure Baldor believes that if the public recognizes that, the with DHA and still finds time to work with other great organizations that serve organization will come closer to achieving its potential our community. He is a perfect example of how the most effective leaders are and its positive impact will be multiplied. DHA is focused intersectional in the work they do and sets a great example for all.
This is a new DHA.
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Jorge Ferráez
@ JFerraez_Latino
Luis E. González
FROM MEXICO, WITH LOVE
01 BODEGAS HENRI LURTON LE CHENIN 2018
• Region: Valle de San Vicente BC, Mexico • Varietal: Chenin Blanc • Price: $23 • Aromas: Lemon peel, pear, white flowers. • Flavors: Fresh hay, crystalized pineapple, citric notes • Impression: Fresh and light • Structure: Round, good balance • Drink with: Sushi, Ceviche Tostadas, Shrimp Cocktail • Why I loved this wine? Very nice and crisp • My Rating: 88 pts.
R
ECENTLY I had the privilege to be the recipient of a 12-bottle case of good Mexican wines, mainly from Baja California that my good friend Tom Bracamontes is importing to the US through his company La Competencia Imports. I knew Tom a while back when he was working for winemaker and winegrower icon Rolando Herrera from Mi Sueño. I have witnessed Tom’s effort to explore the Baja region and bring the best wines from there, now that finally Mexican wine is starting to get international recognition. It was a great surprise and I carefully tasted all 12 bottles, to find an outstanding array of quality and good craftsmanship. Some of the Whites like a “Madera 5” were light and refreshing, and some of the Reds were bold and fruity like the Henry Lurton Cabernet Sauvignon or the Viñas del Sol “Santos Brujos”. Wow! I was really impressed. And also related to Rolando Herrera, I had a very nice experience while visiting Jaime Orozco who now is hosting the PR and Hospitality job at Staglin Family Vineyards in Rutherford. Impressive wines, from one of the highest appreciated wine families of Napa Valley: the Staglins. Jaime, whom I met also when he was working at Mi Sueño, showed me a fantastic collection of wines from this legendary estate. He does a fantastic job in hosting guests and entertaining. With 17 years in the wine industry, Jaime sees a trend of Latinos helping each other to advance.
01 MI SUEÑO CHARDONNAY 2016
• Region: Pugash Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain • Varietal: Chardonnay • Price: $54 • Aromas: Clean, pineapple, apricot, tropical medley • Flavors: Pear, vanilla, Granny Smith apple • Impression: Full mouth, deep flavors • Structure: Round and balanced, medium body • Drink with: Elaborated fish dishes, Crab Cakes, Grilled Salmon • Why I loved this wine? Very elegant and sophisticated wine, with finesse • My Rating: 93 pts.
01 BODEGAS TORRES “MAS LA PLANA” 2007
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• Region: Penedes, Catalonia, Spain • Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon • Price: $65 • Aromas: Spice, licorice, lactic • Flavors: Dried cherry, balsamic, ripe red currant • Impression: Layered, complex • Structure: Bold, rich • Drink with: Filet Mignon, Peking Lacquered Duck • Why I loved this wine? So elegant and delicious! • My Rating: 93 pts.
Rolando Herrera Owner/winemaker, Mi Sueño Winery FOLLOW US @latinoleadersmag FOLLOW US LatinoLeadersMagazine FOLLOW US @LatinoLeadersUS
01 Bodegas Henri Lurton
01 Bodegas Henri Lurton Le Chenin 2018
02 Mi Sueño Chardonnay 2016
05 Bodegas Torres “Mas La Plana” 2007
64 LATINO LEADERS MAY / JUNE 2019
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