CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Javier A. Gonzalez del Rey Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center How has your heritage been beneficial or helpful in your career and/or business relationships? I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic to immigrant parents from Spain. As director of the pediatric residency programs at Cincinnati Children’s, I strive to attract the best medical students from around the world to train here. The advantage in having physicians from diverse backgrounds work towards a common goal is that it not only fosters culturally competent care, it changes the outcome for patients. Because of this, pediatric health around the globe improves, especially when a physician brings this medical training back to their home country. What are the major values of your heritage? How have they helped you in your career? I value a positive attitude and teach the significance of it to my students in the form of Betari’s Box, which is a concept that illustrates how my attitude affects my behavior, which affects your attitude, which affects your behavior, and the cycle continues. You have the ability to choose your attitude. You must create a balance of happiness and enjoyment in life. I break the tradition of dull medical training and encourage fun. We attract physicians because of the style of medicine we teach: open, collaborative, and family-centered. What advice would you give the next generation of Hispanic business leaders? What are some tips for other Hispanics beginning their careers? I believe you need to lead by being a role model and not by the title you have. Let your work ethic demonstrate who you are and what you are capable of. Create your own path but allow yourself to be led by destiny and faith. Appreciate your culture and always move forward without forgetting who you are.
HEADQUARTERS: Cincinnati, Ohio WEBSITE: www.cincinnatichildrens.org BUSINESS: Pediatric healthcare REVENUES: $1.85 billion EMPLOYEES: 13,971 Title: Director, Pediatric Residency Programs; Associate Director, Division of Emergency Medicine; Professor, University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics
Education: MEd, University of Cincinnati; MD, Pedro Henriquez Urena National University, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Last Book I Read: World Without End, by Ken Follett
Interests: Family, sailing, and wine
Paola Gonzalez The Clorox Company How has your heritage been beneficial or helpful in your career and/or business relationships? My heritage has a strong emphasis on maintaining strong relationships, not only with family but also with peers at work. Instead of focusing on how I can help myself succeed, I have found that if I focus on how I can help others succeed, ultimately good things happen to everyone and the results are fulfilling. Nothing gives me more joy that seeing people grow, learn, and be recognized. This approach has helped me have good relationships over the years and also deliver strong professional results. What are the major values of your heritage? How have they helped you in your career? Having been born in Peru, where I lived for twenty-four years, there are core Peruvian values that have shaped my identity, particularly in relation to the importance of family and friendships, working hard, and valuing the job you have. When you grow up in an inflationary environment with 40 percent unemployment, you learn to value having a job where you can develop and contribute to society. What advice would you give the next generation of Hispanic business leaders? What are some tips for other Hispanics beginning their careers? When I started I was concerned about some of the differences I had versus other employees. My accent was strong and I didn’t feel my language skills were as polished as they needed to be. Back then, my husband told me, “Don’t be afraid to be different, that makes you unique.” Ultimately, we all have different talents and have diverse experiences that businesses can benefit from, we just need to embrace them, be proud of who we are, and not be afraid to speak up and contribute to discussions.
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PROFILES IN DIVERSITY JOURNAL
September/October 2013
HEADQUARTERS: Oakland, California WEBSITE: www.thecloroxcompany.com
BUSINESS: Consumer packaged goods
REVENUES: $5.5 billion EMPLOYEES: 8,400 Title: Vice President of Finance Education: BS, Universidad de Lima, Peru; MBA, University of Notre Dame
Last Book I Read: Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg
Interests: Reading, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends