2015 hacr fall corporate observer

WASHINGTON, D.C.
HACR LAUNCHES
LEADERSHIP PIPELINE
PROGRAM AND STEM
INITIATIVE
CECILIA GAYE-SCHNELL
FEATURED IN WALMART
LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW
SERIES
CECILIA GAYE-SCHNELL
WALMART
CORPORATE
OBSERVER
VOLUME 18, NO. 3, 2015
EMPLOYMENT • PROCUREMENT • PHILANTHROPY • GOVERNANCE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO
DEAR HACR STAKEHOLDERS,
We would like to extend a special thank
We are also pleased to announce the launch of the HACR
you to our supporters, as we conclude
Leadership Pipeline Program (LPP) and the STEM Initiative this
another year of Hispanic Heritage Month
fall. The HACR LPP will provide top-notch training and exposure
celebrations. This is a special time of the
to mid and upper level Hispanic executives. LPP’s goal is to offer
year to give tribute to the Hispanic culture
participants leadership training to further develop their managerial
and recognize Hispanics for their significant
skills, while also providing the necessary tools to advance within their
contributions in the U.S.
companies. The STEM Initiative was created to better understand
In this issue of the Corporate Observer,
the challenges that limit the professional development of Hispanics in
you will find news from our Corporate and Coalition Members, a list
of our calendar of events, and our latest installment of the Walmart
STEM fields. These programs and initivatives are designed to provide
the necessary opportunities to ensure mid to high level Hispanic
Leadership Interview Series.
executives continue to grow.
The Walmart Leadership Interview Series highlights three corporate
We hope you enjoy reading our newsletter and we hope to see you at
leaders who share their unique professional experiences and provide
our upcoming events.
great insights for young Hispanic professionals. This installment
All the best,
features Cecelia Gaye-Schnell, divisional vice president at Walmart
Logistics Texoma South; Magaly Muñoz-Mejorado, national diversity
relations manager at MGM Resorts International; and Neddy Perez,
vice-president and chief diversity officer at Ingersoll Rand.
Cid D. Wilson
President & CEO
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ignacio Salazar
Ser-Jobs for Progress National, Inc.
HACR Board Chair
Dr. Juan Andrade
United States Hispanic Leadership
Institute
HACR Board Vice Chair
Ronald Blackburn-Moreno
ASPIRA Association, Inc.
HACR Board Treasurer
Amy Hinojosa
MANA, A National Latina Organization
HACR Board Secretary
Margaret Moran
League of United Latin America Citizens
HACR Immediate Past Chair
Angel Zúñiga
American GI Forum of the United States
The Honorable Linda T. Sánchez
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
The Honorable Lincoln Díaz-Balart
Congressional Hispanic Leadership
Institute, Inc.
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Sonia Lopez
Cuban American National Council
Dr. Antonio Flores
Hispanic Association of Colleges and
Universities
Martha Montoya
National Association of Hispanic
Publications
Janet Murguía
National Council of La Raza
Cecelia Espenoza
National Hispana Leadership Institute
Rafael Fantauzzi
National Puerto Rican Coalition
Thomas Savino
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
Javier Palomarez
United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce
CORPORATE OBSERVER
The Corporate Observer is a publication
of the Hispanic Association on Corporate
Responsibility (HACR). HACR’s
mission is to advance the inclusion of
Hispanics in Corporate America at a
level commensurate with our economic
contributions.
Cid D. Wilson
President & CEO
Vanessa Bowling
Executive Assistant, Operations
Emma Etheridge
Director, Programs
Dr. Lisette Garcia
Senior Director, HACR Research Institute
Kevin Klich
Director, Administration
Eric Lopez
Manager, HACR Research Institute
Cecilia Majors
Manager, Corporate Partnerships
Sarah Negris-Mamani
Manager, CEF Program
Ariana Solis Gómez
Manager, Communications
Elia Quintana
Director, Development
2015 HACR LPP & STEM INITIATIVE
2015 HACR
LEADERSHIP PIPELINE
PROGRAM & STEM
INITIATIVE
2015 HACR LEADERSHIP PIPELINE PROGRAM
2015 HACR STEM INITIATIVE
The HACR Leadership Pipeline Program (LPP) was created
to develop mid and upper level Hispanic executives from
Fortune and HACR Corporate Member companies. In this
program, participants will engage in business sessions and
development workshops while learning business practices
from high level Hispanic executives and other business
leaders.
The HACR Research Institute is pleased to announce its latest
research project the HACR STEM Initiative. The HACR STEM
Initiative was created to understand the mechanisms at work
which lead to lower participation in STEM fields for Hispanics
and to identify barriers to successful career progression for
those Hispanics in the STEM pipeline.
Business session highlights include: author of the Practical
Genius Playbook, Gina Rudan; Business Case StudyNonprofit Board Engagement by Dr. William Klepper of the
Columbia Business School; Leadership with a Latino Lens led
by Juana Bordas from Mestiza Leadership International; and
Ten Strategies for Promoting Yourself conducted by Robert
Rodriguez, author of Latino Talent: Effective Strategies to
Recruit, Retain, and Develop Hispanic Professionals.
The LPP builds upon the success of the Young Hispanic
Corporate Achievers™ (HACR YHCA) program, which
expands opportunities for high-performing Hispanic
executives to receive top-notch training, and gain valuable
insight from business experts. By engaging in the LPP,
participants will also learn strategies for handling challenges
they face from top business leaders in Corporate America.
HACR is pleased to offer the LPP as an additional resource to
help ensure mid to upper level Hispanic executives have the
necessary tools to succeed within their respective companies.
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CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
Running concurrently with the HACR LPP, the HACR STEM
Initiative convenes key stakeholders and business leaders
and presents a special forum for business sessions focusing
on education, recruitment, retention, ERG-led initiatives, and
Latinas in STEM, among other key topics. The STEM initiative
was designed to discuss strategies for increasing the pipeline
of qualified Hispanics in STEM fields and to highlight best
practices for Hispanic inclusion.
The goal of the project is to identify the workplace dynamics
which may lead to lower participation for Hispanics in STEM
fields and to identify the factors at play which can hinder
the advancement of Hispanics in STEM. A key component
of these tasks is being able to learn more about successful
initiatives that have been implemented at companies across
the U.S. which have resulted in an increased presence of
Hispanics in senior positions in STEM. To help do this, focus
groups with selected HACR Corporate Members will be
conducted. Through these conversation we hope to be able
to learn what factors may potentially be causing the “leaky
pipeline” and to craft best practices and recommendations for
stemming it.
HACR
LEADERSHIP
PIPELINE
PROGRAM
& STEM initiative
Marriott Marquis
Washington, D.C. | November 2 -3, 2015
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
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WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
WALMART LEADERSHIP
INTERVIEW SERIES
(CONTINUED)
CECILIA
GAYE-SCHNELL
BY: LESLIE FROELICH
giant, Mattel. There, Gaye-Schnell was promoted to such
positions as director of inventory management and logistics
for export markets (Colombia and Venezuela) and director of
supply chain for Latin America (excluding Mexico and Brazil).
“I have had the opportunity to work with different countries
and governments, and the interaction of private companies
with government and the approaches to open commerce
really stand out to me,” she explained. “I have been able
to work under foreign exchange regulations and have
learned how to navigate those waters of an always changing
environment.”
It is a fast-paced and multi-cultural career for which GayeSchnell was well prepared, having lived in three countries
by the time she finished college. A native of Uruguay, GayeSchnell’s family moved to Argentina when she was in high
school and she later completed her graduate studies in
Caracas, Venezuela, at the Instituto de Estudios Superiores
de Administracion.
WALMART
Cecilia Gaye-Schnell doesn’t just pay lip service to the
importance of diversity at the corporate level; it is a concept
that has defined her personal life and shaped her into the
successful Latina executive that she is today.
As divisional vice president of the Walmart Logistics Texoma
South division, Gaye-Schnell is responsible for all regional,
grocery and import distribution centers within the southern
half of Texas. Prior to joining Walmart in 2013, she worked in
logistics operations for nearly two decades for another retail
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In addition to fluency in English and Spanish, Gaye-Schnell
also is pursuing Portuguese, an asset she points to as key
to gaining an edge in today’s increasingly global market.
“Distinguishing yourself by speaking another language is vital
today,” she emphasized, adding that Hispanic professionals
must work diligently to raise their profile in order to advance
and succeed in Corporate America.
“Don’t be shy. Express your opinion, volunteer for projects,
and prepare for the opportunities that will come. You have to
make yourself be the top candidate for the position you want
in the future,” assured Gaye-Schnell.
As well, corporations must increase advocacy and inclusion
efforts in order to attract and retain Latino talent, according
to Gaye-Schnell, who serves on “mentor circles” through
her current position with Walmart, providing advice and
expertise to fellow associates.
“It’s very powerful sharing my personal and professional
story and making myself available. My parents worked
their whole lives in order to give us an education, and I feel
WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
this obligation to give back. When you’re in a one-on-one
conversation, you can give someone a boost of confidence
that will have a great impact on their careers,” she said.
Gaye-Schnell, who currently serves on the board of directors
of the Boys and Girls Club of Broward County, Florida, has
also participated in Walmart’s Mi Futuro youth mentoring
initiative, which identifies potentially “at risk” students and
empowers them to achieve academic success. Since its
inception in 2009, over 6,500 students have been mentored
through the Mi Futuro program nationally.
For Gaye-Schnell, programs such as these are vital building
blocks to increasing Hispanic representation in Corporate
America. “Education and community engagement are key.
We have to begin at a young age to help students recognize
they can have a career, so they can begin preparing
themselves,” she explained. “Through Mi Futuro I had the
opportunity to see change in some of these students; it was
an enriching experience.”
In addition, Gaye-Schnell believes companies must
focus on “constantly investing in diversity and inclusion
education,” noting, for example, the English for Speakers
of other Languages (ESOL) courses that Walmart offers its
employees free of charge. “Walmart has incredible success
stories of Latinos who have started out as hourly associates
and have gone all the way to the corporate level. The
opportunities are there. We just need to make sure we are
constantly reminding people to put themselves out there to
receive bigger and better opportunities.”
“Don’t be shy. Express your opinion,
volunteer for projects, and prepare
for the opportunities that will come.
You have to make yourself be the top
candidate for the position you want in
the future”
Understanding the differences that distinguish one Hispanic
culture from the next is also important for corporations,
notes Gaye-Schnell. For example, while Texas and the
Southwestern market are primarily populated by Mexicans
and Central Americas, Florida and New York are home
to a higher concentration of Cubans and Puerto Ricans,
respectively.
In order to be a leader in Corporate America, Gaye-Schnell
emphasizes education, commitment to others, ethics, and in
particular, adaptability. “The environment is changing rapidly
every day and business scenarios change from one moment
to the next. Last year, for example, we were talking about oil
prices being at an all-time high, and now they’re much lower.
Individuals who are quicker [to adapt] are the ones who get
the tools to succeed and become leaders.”
“As Hispanics become increasingly important for the future
of this country, so too does the need for parents, teachers,
and other types of educators to recognize and prioritize their
role in shaping the next generation of leaders,” Gaye-Schnell
added. “We need to engage in the things that matter:
family, community, and voting. So many people take that
for granted. We need to be curious and never stop learning.
The better we prepare ourselves to go global, the more
successful we will be.”
ABOUT LESLIE FROELICH
Leslie Froelich is a freelance writer living in
Cleveland, Ohio. She previously worked for five
years for Mundo Hispanico newspaper, a Cox
Enterprises company based in Atlanta, covering
business and finance, among other beats.
And while Hispanic professionals must do their part to rise
up and succeed, companies must also take an active role in
discovering, developing, and capitalizing on Hispanic talent,
says Gaye-Schnell. “For success in the future, I think that
you need to have an understanding of the people in your
organization because not everyone is going to be raising
their hand to get promoted. You have to be intentional, you
have to develop leadership programs. Changes aren’t going
to happen overnight.”
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
7
HACR COALITION MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
AGIF HOSTS 2015 NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
At the conclusion of the 67th American
GI Forum of the U.S. National Conference
the following Forumeers were elected
as national officers to lead the
organization: Ángel Zúñiga, national
commander, Texas; Felicita Lugo, national
chairwoman, Michigan; Luis Vazquez-Contes, national
vice commander, Colorado; Alicia Rodriguez, national vice
chairwoman, Kansas; Russell Lopez, national secretary,
Colorado; Kathleen Clenin, national women’s secretary,
Colorado; Ernesto Montoya, national treasurer, Colorado;
Jeanie Aleman, national women’s treasurer, Texas; Jesse
Aguilera, national sergeant-at-arms, Texas, and Mercedes
Rodriguez, national youth chair, Kansas.
The American GI Forum of the U.S. extends a thank you
to all who attended, sponsored, and supported the 67th
American GI Forum of the U.S. National Conference in
Millbrae, Ca. This year’s themes were Civil Rights in the 21st
century and Bridging the Digital Divide.
Special thanks to Barbara Ward and Dwayne Campbell
from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Lawrence Romo,
Selective Service System, and Maria Elena Lemus, Social
Security Administration.
Thank you Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez; Senator
Richard Polanco (Ret); Peter Villegas vice president of Latin
Affairs, The Coca-Cola Company; Angel Carrera, chief
certification and outreach, Department of General Services,
State of California; Cynthia Moreno, journalist, McClatchy
Newspapers; Anna Caballero, secretary for Business,
Consumer Affairs and Housing Agency, State of California;
and Roy Jasso, Wells Fargo.
Finally, thank you AGIF-National Veterans Outreach Program,
Walmart, Southwest Airlines, Sonima Foundation, DGS
General Services, CS Bio Co, and Calsa.
ASPIRA INAUGURATES BUSINESS
AND FINANCE HIGH SCHOOL
On August 5, 2015, ASPIRA of Illinois
inaugurated its new ASPIRA High School
for Management and Finance in Chicago.
The $27 million, four story state of the
art facility will eventually serve 1,000 high school students,
starting with a freshman class of 250 for the 2015-2016
academic year.
The new school provides a strong foundation for future
business leaders and entrepreneurs while helping to pave
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CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
the way to college and post-secondary education.
The school will also expose students to a challenging
academic program while ensuring they have the support
they need to excel.
With four years of English and business, and three years of
math, science, and history, the school will also offer a robust
set of honors and AP classes, as well as dual-enrollment,
and dual-credit at the college level.
Students will use cutting-edge technology to engage in
interactive learning, group assignments, and projects. This
includes a one-to-one computer model, interactive boards,
and a media center.
Situated on Milwaukee Avenue on Chicago’s North Side,
the ASPIRA Business and Finance High School will work
with community leaders to create and engage in community
meetings, service learning programs, job shadowing, and
other initiatives to strengthen the community.
CHCI HOSTS SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
CHCI hosted its annual Hispanic Heritage
Month (HHM) events from October 6-8,
2015, in Washington, D.C., with the theme
“Powering Growth and Influence.” The
CHCI 2015 Public Policy Conference
gathered federal and local elected officials,
corporate and nonprofit leaders, and supporters to discuss
the major policy issues affecting the Latino community and
the nation. CHCI Chair Rep. Linda T. Sánchez led dozens of
participating Members of Congress, cabinet officials, and
national policy experts throughout three days of events.
In the lead up to the 2016 elections, the conference
included a Presidential Candidates Session with
appearances by Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland
Governor Martin O’Malley, and former Virginia Governor Jim
Gilmore. CHCI closed its HHM events by celebrating the
accomplishments and contributions of Latinos at its 38th
Annual Awards Gala, gathering more than 2,000 attendees.
CHCI proudly awarded NFL hall of famer Anthony Muñoz
and education advocate Sonia Gutierrez with the 2015
Medallion of Excellence Awards, while Chef José Andrés
was honored with the 2015 CHCI Chair’s Medallion Award,
co-presented by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The Gala also featured a keynote speech by President
Barack Obama and live entertainment from Grammy Awardwinning band La Santa Cecilia.
HACR COALITION MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
CHLI’S FOCUS ON DIVERSITY OF
THOUGHT
against obesity, diabetes, and other health disparities
affecting the Latino community.
The Congressional Hispanic Leadership
Institute (CHLI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
and nonpartisan organization
founded by Members of Congress to
advance the Hispanic community’s
economic progress centered on social
responsibility and global competitiveness.
LULAC is proud to host the ferias which are free and open
to the public; inviting all to experience Latino music and
culture, while learning to live healthier lives in a family-friendly
environment.
CHLI is focused on leadership and fostering diversity of
thought. Pillars of leadership such as, building leaders,
driving economic and civic leadership, and celebrating and
recognizing leaders, help improve our Hispanic community
and make America stronger.
CHLI promoted and celebrated diversity of thought by
honoring leaders who share the same vision at the Annual
Leadership and Awards Gala. The gala honored the good
work of national organizations and leaders in external
communications shared across the country.
The CHLI Global Leaders Program emphasizes the
appreciation of diverse points of view in the public and
private sectors. The CHLI Future Leaders Conference
highlighted paths to success for STEM and non-STEM
college majors by introducing young leaders to successful
public servants, business executives, and entrepreneurs.
CHLI is a proud HACR Coalition Member and will continue
to strengthen the Hispanic community in 2016 through
programming, events, and internships that develop future
leaders who appreciate diversity and inclusion in the
workplace. For additional information about our programs,
please contact Mary Ann Gomez, executive director at
mgomez@chli.org.
LULAC BRINGS LATINOS LIVING
HEALTHY FAIRS TO LOS ANGELES,
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS, AND
WASHINGTON, D.C.
This year, LULAC will expand its health
initiatives in order to educate the Latino
community about healthy lifestyle decisions.
The initiative entitled, Latinos Living Healthy,
addresses health disparities among Latinos in
a family friendly environment. In the past, the
health fairs have drawn thousands of participants, and this
year promises to be no exception. The health fairs will make
health screenings, healthy snacks, informational workshops,
and fun physical activities available to participants.
The health fairs will take place on September 20 at the Plaza
Olvera in Los Angeles, Calif., in October at the National
Sylvan Theater at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and
on November 14 in Brownsville, TX.
MANA NATIONAL HERMANITAS®
PROGRAM RECEIVES WHITE HOUSE
RECOGNITION
The White House Initiative on
Educational Excellence for Hispanics
has named the MANA National
HERMANITAS® Program a Bright
Spot in Hispanic Education. As a
Bright Spot, the HERMANITAS® Program will be part of
a national online catalog that includes over 230 programs
that invest in key education priorities for Hispanics. The
Initiative seeks to leverage these Bright Spots to encourage
collaboration between stakeholders focused on similar
issues in sharing data-driven approaches, promising
practices, peer advice and effective partnerships, ultimately
resulting in increased support for the educational attainment
of the Hispanic community from cradle to career.
R
The MANA HERMANITAS® Program is a national mentoring
program that provides young Latinas ages 11-18 with
educational and skill-building opportunities, leadership
development, mentoring, and peer support. The program
is designed with cultural competence and addresses the
physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of Latina
youth. Students are matched with trained mentors from their
home communities who commit to 110 hours of mentoring
and activities over the course of one year. MANA Chapters
and Affiliates nationwide administer the HERMANITAS®
programming locally. To view the Bright Spots in Hispanic
Education national online catalog, visit: www.ed.gov/
HispanicInitiative.
Through these efforts, LULAC is committed to fighting
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9
HACR COALITION MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
NCLR IS HELPING LATINOS PURSUE
CAREERS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Latino youth are among the fastestgrowing segment of the American
workforce, yet they often overlook
promising careers in the financial
services sector. To encourage more
young Hispanic men and women
to explore this career path, NCLR is partnering with Wells
Fargo to launch the Latino Millennials in College and Careers
Program.
The program offers a series of in-person workshops and
webinars that provide support and guidance for students
interested in financial services. By collaborating with NCLR’s
Escalera program for high school students and Líderes
Avanzando program for college students, this program offers
participants opportunities to engage in career exploration,
technology skills, and leadership development.
College-aged students will also be given the chance to
earn summer internships and join full-time programs upon
graduation designed to provide them with exposure and
leadership experience in the fields of banking, insurance,
investments, and marketing. In addition, NCLR developed
a curriculum aimed at providing bilingual Latino youth with
the necessary skills to be employed as bank tellers. Three
sites are already in the pilot testing phase and in 2016, 10
additional locations will start utilizing the curriculum to train
people to become bilingual bank tellers.
SER: “SERVICE, EMPLOYMENT &
REDEVELOPMENT”
Last year at SER-Jobs for Progress
National, Inc., we celebrated five
decades as an organization. While we
started out small, we now have more
than one million people walk through
our doors annually. This is indicative of
the footprint that SER-Jobs for Progress, and our network of
affiliated partners, has in this country. As we begin our next
era of service, it is important to expand our service delivery
in response to an ever changing diverse workforce. We are
fortunate to have corporate support for initiatives in different
parts of the country, and we will continue to expand in areas
that enhance the depth and breadth of what we offer.
We take a holistic approach to eliminating barriers and
serving our clients. For example, when young families are
starting out and looking for childcare, we ask ourselves is it
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accessible? Is it affordable? That’s why we created a duallanguage Head Start program in Irving to serve the Dallas
area; it’s a model that we created to serve children 0-3 years
of age. Our programs are designed to help our community in
all stages of life. This is another program we hope to expand
in other parts of the country.
For additional information please visit our website at
www.ser-national.org.
2016
HACR
YOUNG
HISPANIC
CORPORATE
ACHIEVERS™
...................................................
NOMINATIONS
NOW OPEN!
To access the 2016 HACR YHCA Online Nomnation
Form, please email HACR’s Director of Programs,
Emma Etheridge at eetheridge@hacr.org.
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
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WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
WALMART LEADERSHIP
INTERVIEW SERIES
(CONTINUED)
MAGALY
MUÑOZ-MEJORADO
BY: LESLIE FROELICH
around the world, with 55,000 employees in Las Vegas
alone.
In this role, Muñoz-Mejorado promotes the importance of
diversity by collaborating with various businesses at both
the national and international levels. She also builds and
maintains relationships with chambers of commerce and
a variety of organizations that represent the interests of
not only ethnic minorities, but of women and the LGBT
community as well.
In addition to her day-to-day professional responsibilities,
Muñoz-Mejorado also sits on the board of the Asian
Community Development Council and serves on the Las
Vegas Urban Chamber’s Business Council Committee. As
well, she is vice chair of the Latin Chamber of Commerce
Young Professionals Committee, and she is also involved
with the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility
(HACR). In fact, Muñoz-Mejorado was one of 30 national
award recipients with HACR’s Young Hispanic Corporate
Achiever’s Program in 2015.
MGM RESORTS
INTERNATIONAL
She has quickly ascended the ranks within a multibillion dollar company, won national recognition for her
achievements and contributions to Corporate America, and
she even has a powerhouse singing voice to boot. When it
comes to Magaly Muñoz-Mejorado’s career, the odds are
clearly pointing to a bright and successful future.
Currently, Muñoz-Mejorado holds the position of national
diversity relations manager for MGM Resorts International, a
global hospitality enterprise employing 62,000 individuals
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Muñoz-Mejorado strongly feels that she has experienced
“the most growth both professionally as well as in my
personal life” in her current position and through her work
with business engagements in the community, such as
the Latin Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals, for
example.
“In the past two years, I’ve been granted the opportunity to
impact others. It’s really gratifying when you can see how
you are helping other Hispanics to start their careers,” she
explained.
“I truly believe if I invest my time, I can impact and prepare
that next generation of Latino and Latina entrepreneurs and
executives,” she added.
This mentality of reaching out a hand and helping others is,
for Muñoz-Mejorado, a simple act of putting into practice
the same advice and example she herself was given while
still a college student, by a mentor whom she met through a
mutual friend “at the right time and right place.”
WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
“This gentleman saw a young Latina who was finishing her
bachelor’s and wanted to get ahead. He asked that I pay
it forward. That’s why I’m involved in so many committees.
Whenever I see someone who is young and is new to
the workforce, I try to help them with anything I know,
for example, any shortcuts I learned on the computer. If
everyone were to pay it forward, our community success
would be endless,” assured Muñoz-Mejorado.
As a Hispanic professional, she also sees the unique
position this demographic holds in terms of its ability and
potential to “take advantage of the opportunities that
are there” and become successful leaders in Corporate
America. For Muñoz-Mejorado, it is a question of looking in
the mirror and recognizing the importance of honoring one’s
background and heritage.
“Never lose your culture and values. As Hispanics we bring
family values and integrity to the workplace. We take care
of each other and that is important in the workplace. That’s
something that you can apply in your career,” assured
Muñoz-Mejorado.
Even with the rapidly increasing Hispanic population in the
United States, however, the reality is that many companies
today struggle with how to fuel the talent pipeline with
Latinos. For Muñoz-Mejorado, part of this challenge has to
do with placing a greater emphasis on educating Hispanics,
particularly younger generations and students, about the
vast array of job opportunities available to them that go
beyond – in the gaming and hospitality industry, for instance
– housekeeping.
These efforts include the creation of 18 employee network
groups, a variety of training programs, such as Microsoft
Office, for “anyone who wants to invest in themselves,”
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) classes
and a close collaboration with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber
of Commerce, with the goal of “recruiting and developing
our Latino workforce,” said Muñoz-Mejorado.
For her part, Muñoz-Mejorado serves as secretary for her
company’s Hispanic Latino Employee Network Group,
whose numerous goals include “assisting members in
finding the right position and growing professionally within
their career,” she explained.
And while she is passionate about helping fellow Hispanic
professionals, Muñoz-Mejorado places importance on
engaging and supporting other minorities as well. For
example, she is a member of the planning committee for
MGM Resorts Foundation’s annual Women’s Leadership
Conference.
Clearly, Muñoz-Mejorado’s diversity and inclusion efforts are
working. According to MGM Resort’s CSR Report, in 2014
the company earned top accolades for its diversity practices
from national thought leaders, including: DiversityInc
Magazine, Human Resources Officers Today, Universum, the
Human Rights Campaign Foundation, Women’s Business
Enterprise National Council, and the Hispanic Association on
Corporate Responsibility.
“I truly believe if I invest my time, I
can impact and prepare that next
generation of Latino and Latina
entrepreneurs and executives”
“We like to say that even though you see that we’re a gaming
company, we have a variety of positions: you can be in
management, on the culinary side of things, students don’t
realize there are even engineer positions, like working on the
Bellagio fountain,” explained Muñoz-Mejorado.
In the case of MGM Resorts International – whose workforce
is 32.86 percent Hispanic, with management ranks
including approximately 43 percent women and 38 percent
minorities, according to the company’s Annual Corporate
Social Responsibility (CSR) Report – a series of professional
development initiatives have been launched in order to
attract and retain minorities within the company, according
to Muñoz-Mejorado.
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
13
HACR CORPORATE MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
AT&T REACHES OUT FOR STUDENTS’
HIGH-TECH DAY
retention and development programs which are viewed
favorably by interns.
Other companies liked what AT&T
was doing and wanted in on the
action. Through its “Bringing the
Outside In” campaign, AT&T’s
Hispanic/Latino employee resource group HACEMOS
collaborated this year with several large companies to
engage high school students in its annual “National High
Technology Day.” The event pulls students into technical
activities and interactive workshops and encourages them to
consider careers in STEM fields.
In 2012, CHRT began mentoring new employees and
interns, through a buddy program established by Somos,
Chevron’s Latin American and Hispanic employee network,
pairing experienced network members with interns and new
hires. Mentors educate the interns and new hires on the
technical and professional aspects of their roles. Mentoring,
combined with targeted coaching on presentation skills, has
enabled the Buddy Program to achieve an 85 percent internreturn-offer rate.
The special day took place in February in 32 cities
nationwide. Companies joining HACEMOS in the effort
included General Motors, National Geographic Learning,
Samsung, FleishmanHillard, and Tango Public Relations.
Programming varied by location but included workshops
on circuitry and cyber security, tours of facilities, keynotes
from AT&T executives, and discussions about AT&T careers.
Two additional sessions featured the National Geographic
Explorers program and General Motors’ Connected Car
powered by AT&T’s 4G LTE.
“This was an incredible success, and social media was on
fire as students shared their experiences,” said Cinthya Allen,
HACEMOS national president. “We also heard from many
schools that the activities connected with students and
inspired them. That’s exactly what we wanted to achieve.”
CHEVRON INTERN PROGRAM
RECOGNIZED IN NATIONAL SURVEY
Chevron’s intern program ranked
second highest among all U.S. based
companies in a survey conducted
earlier this year by Glassdoor, a
national jobs website. Over 10,000
former and current interns provided
the rankings. Facebook earned the No. 1 position, while
Google, formerly No. 2, moved to the third position.
Chevron received particularly high marks for taking
“excellent care” of its employees and stressing the
importance of work life balance.
Contributing to the success of the Chevron intern program,
the Chevron Hispanic Recruiting Team (CHRT) has
increased hiring and retention of Hispanic engineers for the
company through focused recruiting at national conferences
and Hispanic-serving institutions, as well as through internal
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CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
Angel Uruchima, a facilities engineer and former team
lead for the Chevron Hispanic Recruiting Team, said, “the
uniqueness and availability of dedicated Hispanic programs
such as recruiting, mentoring, and retention takes the
employee development experience to a completely new level
with programs that are unmatched by others.”
“We make a strong effort to source diverse and technical
talent through organizations such as the Society of Hispanic
Professional Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers,
and the National Society of Black Engineers,” said Lucinda
Macias, intern program specialist for Chevron.
GE’S HISPANIC FORUM NEW
ENGLAND STEM PROGRAM
INITIATIVE
For the past year, GE’s Hispanic
Forum (GEHF) has been establishing
a collaborative relationship with LEAP
for Education, a nonprofit organization
in Salem, Mass. that expands the
educational and career opportunities for
low-income youth, 85 percent of which are Hispanic, and
strives to increase students’ engagement in learning and
intellectual curiosity. GEHF facilitated a tour through the GE
Aviation plant in Lynn, Mass. and its Jet Pioneer’s Museum,
led robotics workshops at LEAP’s office and other various
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
educational activities for middle school and high school kids.
GEHF also recently invited LEAP students to the Westover
Airshow. Through the leadership team and executive
champions, transportation, food, and accommodations
were provided. Students had the opportunity to see several
GE powered aircrafts and to spend the morning with GE
engineers who design the propulsion systems for them.
HACR CORPORATE MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
MACY’S VP DINEEN GARCÍA NAMED
ONE OF PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL’S “25
MOST INFLUENTIAL WOMEN”
Macy’s Vice President of Diversity
Strategies Dineen García was
recognized as one of PEOPLE en
Español’s “Las 25 Mujeres Más
Poderosas” (“25 Most Influential
Women”) in its October issue (on newsstands now).
García, who has been with Macy’s for eight years, was
recognized for her outstanding work establishing and
leading outreach efforts between Macy’s and Hispanic
and Asian communities, as well as facilitating workshops,
scholarships, and internships for deserving young people
who may not otherwise receive them.
“PEOPLE en Español is proud to recognize Dineen as a
trailblazer, business leader, and champion for the Hispanic
community,” said Editor-in-Chief Armando Correa. “She
serves as a mentor to young women and continues to lead
Macy’s commitment to the Hispanic community, which
includes the company’s Go Red campaign, as well as its
events and spokesperson, Thalia [Sodi].”
García, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said she feels
“honored and humbled because I truly enjoy my role as
an ambassador of Macy’s and, more importantly, as an
ambassador of the Hispanic community. I feel that my role
gives me a unique platform to impact lives.”
MCDONALD’S REVEALS NEW
STRATEGY TO ADVANCE EMPLOYEES
In April of 2015, McDonald’s announced
a new education strategy, Archways to
Opportunity™, that helps employees
learn English language skills, get a high
school diploma, and move on to an
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree. Archways to Opportunity
is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but an overarching
education strategy that meets people at their point of need.
There are four programs under the Archways to Opportunity
banner. English Under the Arches is our ESL program
that teaches managers and crew the English they need to
communicate effectively and confidently with customers
and staff every day. The High School Completion program
creates opportunities for eligible employees to obtain
their high school diploma at no cost through the Career
Online High School, an online, adult and career focused
accredited online school district. The College Completion
component is designed to help people find the most efficient
and affordable path to a college degree through benefits
like tuition assistance and transferrable college credit from
McDonald’s training courses. Finally, McDonald’s is offering
free education advising services to all restaurant employees.
At McDonald’s we believe that education is the true game
changer. We’re proud to provide employees with education
and world-class training to help them succeed within our
system or anywhere else their career path leads them.
MGM RESORTS HOSTS LEADERSHIP
CONFERENCE
The Women’s Leadership
Conference, held in July at
the MGM Grand Conference
Center in Las Vegas, drew a
record crowd with 1,000 people in attendance.
For the past two years, the conference has sold out,
signifying that women are seeking guidance on how to
grow and develop professionally. The conference provides
attendees with the chance to network, attend workshops,
and hear speakers discuss issues that impact their careers.
Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, director of Latin Affairs at The
Coca-Cola Company; and Rear Adm. Margaret Klein,
senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense for Military
Professionalism, were among this year’s speakers.
The conference is a nonprofit event organized for the public
by the MGM Resorts Foundation. Proceeds after expenses
are donated to a Las Vegas-area nonprofit that is devoted to
the welfare and well-being of women and children.
After 2014’s conference, the Foundation donated $30,000
to WestCare Nevada’s Women and Children’s Campus, an
organization that provides a variety of services to women
and families including counseling and substance abuse
treatment, health education and wellness, transitional
housing, and more.
This year’s nonprofit recipient will be announced later this
fall.
COORS LIGHT LÍDERES
Since 2006, the Coors Light
Líderes program has supported
and recognized emerging Latino
leaders for their achievements,
vision, and commitment to service. Our support of these
passionate Líderes is a reflection of the Coors Light team’s
beliefs that being a good neighbor and active member of the
communities where we operate is as important as the quality
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
15
HACR CORPORATE MEMBER NEWS SUBMISSIONS
of our beer. The 128 Líderes alumni throughout the country
are impacting the well-being of their communities with their
dedication to helping others have a better quality of life.
We recently selected the 2015 Líderes, which consisted of
12 outstanding Latino leaders (age 21+) who are committed
to helping their community through empowering programs.
The Líderes were nominated by our more than 600 national
and local nonprofit partner organizations from across the
country, and the 12 finalists were selected by Coors Light
based on their achievements and impact of their work.
The general public is invited to select the 2015 Líder of
the Year through an online voting competition, which
runs September 15 through October 29 at http://
CoorsLightLideres.com. The Líder of the Year will receive a
$25,000 grant to implement a community service program.
Vote for your favorite Líder today!
STATE FARM BANK® EMPOWERS
COMMUNITIES THROUGH MAKE IT
POSSIBLE
Make It Possible (MIP) is a unique
initiative that connects State
Farm Bank and local State Farm
agents with the community to make it possible for people to
realize their dreams through financial education workshops.
These free workshops help participants better understand
finances, so they can reach their financial goals. Since 2009,
MIP has reached over 40,000 individuals.
The current workshops available to adults are as follows:
Your first car explains how to find the right car and finance
it; your finances offers financial education on bank products
and how to save, budget, and maintain good credit; your
first home prepares first-time homebuyers for the homebuying process; your financial future explains various savings
and investment vehicles; insuring your stuff details how to
financially protect your family and assets; leaving a legacy
explains how to build and pass on assets; and 401K/IRA 101
educates about retirement savings and planning options.
In addition, State Farm Bank offers A Slice of L.I.F.E, which
stands for Lessons in Financial Education, for young adults.
These workshops are conducted in partnership with
nonprofit organizations, and are offered in Spanish.
For more information: https://www.statefarm.com/about-us/
community/community-outreach/development.
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CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
VERIZON’S EMILIO GONZALEZ
HONORED BY TWO LEADING
NATIONAL HISPANIC
ORGANIZATIONS
On Monday, September 22,
2015, The United States
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
(USHCC) awarded Emilio
Gonzalez, executive director, Strategic Alliances at Verizon
Communications, the Corporate Advocate of the Year Award
at the association’s 2015 National Convention in Houston,
TX. The award celebrates corporate executive, Gonzalez’s,
unwavering commitment to championing the causes of
Hispanic business enterprises and his tireless efforts to
advance the mission of the USHCC.
In the release put out about the award, USHCC President &
CEO Javier Palomarez wrote, “The USHCC is delighted to
recognize Emilio Gonzalez, a visionary leader whose longstanding service to our country’s diverse communities has
been evident throughout his career. Likewise, Gonzalez’s
groundbreaking accomplishments in educational technology
have benefitted Americans of all backgrounds. Through
every trial and triumph, Gonzalez has served as a staunch
supporter and trusted advisor to the USHCC.”
In addition to the honor by the USHCC, Gonzalez was
also recently awarded the Inaugural National Corporate
Champion of the Year Award by the League of United Latin
American Citizens (LULAC). The award recognized Gonzalez
as an executive in Corporate America who has devoted
his professional career to improving the lives of Hispanic
Americans and championing LULAC’s mission.
Gonzalez has made an impactful, sustained, and significant
effort to strengthen the Latino community by working
creatively to uniquely address problems facing our
community today. From NCLR’s Immigo Immigration app
to the LULAC Opportunity app, Gonzalez is at the forefront
of bringing technology to help the Latino community to
prosper.
At Verizon, Gonzalez manages public policy,
communications, and outreach with a wide range of national
civil rights and multicultural business groups nationwide.
HACR CORPORATE MEMBERS UPDATE
HACR
CORPORATE MEMBERS
UPDATE
JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and TD Bank have recently partnered with HACR as its newest Corporate Members
to advocate for Hispanic inclusion in Corporate America. These companies have demonstrated their commitment to the
community by providing a more inclusive environment and more opportunities for Hispanics at all levels in their companies.
We look forward to build strong relationships with companies in the financial services industry, as we raise the bar for Hispanic
inclusion in Corporate America.
ABOUT JPMORGAN CHASE
ABOUT MORGAN STANLEY
ABOUT TD BANK
JPMorgan Chase &
Co. is an American
multinational
banking and financial services holding
company headquartered in New York
City. It is the largest bank in the United
States, and the world’s fifth largest bank
by total assets, with total assets of 2.6
trillion. According to Forbes magazine is
the world’s third largest public company
based on a composite ranking. To learn
more about JPMorgan Chase visit www.
jpmorgan.com
Morgan Stanley
is a leading global
financial services
firm providing investment banking,
securities, wealth management and
investment management services. With
offices in more than 43 countries, the
Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide
including corporations, governments,
institutions and individuals. For further
information about Morgan Stanley, please
visitwww.morganstanley.com.
TD Bank,
America’s Most
Convenient
Bank® is one
of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., with
approximately 26,000 employees and
deep roots in the community dating back
more than 150 years. The Bank offers
a broad array of retail, small business,
and commercial banking products and
services to more than 8 million customers
throughout the U.S. For more information
about TD Bank visit www.td.com.
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17
WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
WALMART LEADERSHIP
INTERVIEW SERIES
(CONTINUED)
NEREIDIA
‘NEDDY’ PEREZ
BY: LESLIE FROELICH
to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and
buildings and transport and protect food and perishables,
among other services. In this role, Perez develops and
leads the company’s diversity and inclusion strategies.
She is no stranger to this type of position, having more
than two decades of experience in human resources,
diversity management, corporate relations, and internal
communications.
Previous to her employment with Ingersoll Rand, Perez
worked with a number of global companies in building their
diversity efforts, including National Grid, KPMG, Sodexo,
and Shell Oil.
The Cuban native, who grew up between Chicago and
Miami, is also involved with a variety of professional
organizations, including the board of directors of the Society
for Human Resource Management or SHRM Foundation, as
well as the Board of Trustees of the Manufacturing Institute.
In 2015 Perez became chair of the Science Technology,
Engineering, and Production (STEP) Ahead Award for
women, a recognition created by the Manufacturing Institute
as part of its (STEP) Ahead initiative, which seeks to honor
and promote the role of women in the manufacturing
industry.
INGERSOLL
RAND
When it comes to the importance of diversity in today’s
society and workplace, Nereida ‘Neddy’ Perez definitely
walks the walk, having traveled the globe from Latin America
all the way to Asia, in order to work with corporations and
launch programs and initiatives that focus on not only ethnic
minorities and women but also individuals with disabilities
and those who identify as LGBT.
Perez currently serves as vice-president and chief diversity
officer for Ingersoll Rand, a global business which strives
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CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
She is also a cofounder of STEMConnector, an online
resource that provides information about Science
Technology, Engineering and Math programs and initiatives.
Throughout her career, Perez has also aligned herself with
organizations that serve Hispanic interests, such as the
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) and
the National Hispana Leadership Institute (NHLI).
As the economy becomes increasingly global, so too does
the need for companies to be aware and sensitive to cultural
differences that can have an impact on a business’s bottom
line. A lesson Perez learned the hard way early on in her
career.
While working for UPS, Perez shares how she had the
WALMART LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW SERIES
opportunity to turn around a multi-million dollar loss the
company was facing due to a “cultural mishap,” as she refers
to it.
“I don’t see a lot of Hispanics who seek P&L (Profit & Loss)
or high profile assignments. These types of roles allow you to
showcase your skills.”
“We had moved into Mexico very quickly, and things were
running smoothly until December, when many in the country
celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe. We were not prepared
and it led to six million dollars in loss because our employees
wouldn’t go out and deliver packages without being blessed.
My boss who was head of Human Resources asked me to
go trouble shoot. We ended up spending 800 dollars to fix
a multi-million dollar issue. The 800 dollars were used to
put in religious alters and have the employees blessed in
our operations. It led to the international review of policies
and a revamping of how employees sent on international
assignments were prepared.”
Perhaps it sounds like common sense advice, but Perez
believes that oftentimes employees –especially, in her
experience, women and Latinos – prefer to play it safe.
Interestingly enough, it was an employee at a competing
company (FedEx) who ultimately became Perez’s mentor,
early on in her career when she was working as a
communications supervisor for UPS. According to her, this
gentleman gave her some words of wisdom that she still
lives by today and applies in her daily professional life.
‘He told me, “You don’t really understand your market value,
and you need to.” I was raised with the philosophy that if you
work hard, you will be successful, but he was the first person
“I still find many Hispanic professionals
don’t understand the power of a
mentor relationship. The best mentors
are ones who don’t look like you”
“It’s a matter of risk. People are afraid to step out and
say, I want this. In the Hispanic culture, we’re taught that
if you work hard, you will be recognized. We tend to wait
for a boss who recognizes our good work and pushes us
forward, but that’s not the reality of Corporate America. Too
often really smart and capable people aren’t considered for
opportunities because they feel they should be tapped on
the shoulder,” she explained.
This timidity or lack of self-confidence at the professional
level can carry a heavy price though, Perez cautions.
“If you’re just doing your job, it’s not going to get you ahead,
it’s not going to get you into high profile projects. You have
to put yourself out there, because someone less qualified
might get the job just because they spoke up, I’ve seen that
happen across all industries. Don’t be afraid of taking a risk
and asking for what you want.”
Companies like Ingersoll Rand face their own set of
challenges. According to a recent study conducted by
Deloitte for the Manufacturing Institute, over the next eight
to ten years more than 3.4 million new jobs will be created in
the manufacturing industry, but only 1.4 million will be filled,
leaving 1.3 million open.
in my life who said, “Yes, you need to do those things, but
you also have to think about what you want to accomplish
in your career. Where do you want to go? Do you want to be
a manager or a leader?” He asked me the tough questions
that shaped who I am today,’ assured Perez.
For that reason, she believes that one of the most important
steps that Hispanic professionals can take is finding and
establishing a mentor relationship with someone with whom
they can have open and honest dialogue.
“I still find many Hispanic professionals don’t understand the
power of a mentor relationship. The best mentors are ones
who don’t look like you, who have more experience in a
corporate space, someone who is open to different cultural
perspectives,” she explained.
Also key, according to Perez, is knowing how to identify
opportunities for advancement within your own organization.
CORPOR ATE OBSERVER
19
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CORPORATE
MEMBERS
BENEFACTORS
ALTRIA
DELL, INC.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
INTEL CORPORATION
MCDONALD’S CORPORATION
TARGET CORPORATION
TIME WARNER, INC.
WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
2015 CALENDAR OF
EVENTS
NOVEMBER 2-3, 2015
HACR Leadership Pipeline Program (LPP)
Marriott Marquis
Washington, D.C.
GENERATIONS
NOVEMBER 2-3, 2015
HACR STEM Initiative
Marriott Marquis
Washington, D.C.
2016 HACR PROGRAMS
APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2016
HACR Corporate Directors Summit™
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2016
HACR Corporate Executives Forum™
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
APRIL 29 - MAY 1, 2016
HACR Corporate Achievers Summit™
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C
APRIL 30-MAY 3, 2016
HACR Young Hispanic Corporate
Achievers™
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
MAY 2-3, 2016
24th Annual HACR Symposium:
The Power of Hispanic Inclusion™
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
MAY 3, 2016
HACR CEO Roundtable
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
MAY 3, 2016
HACR 30th Anniversary Gala
Mandarin Oriental
Washington, D.C.
HISPANIC ASSOCIATION
ON CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
1444 I Street, N.W. Suite 850
Washington, D.C. 20005
ADP
AETNA, INC.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH COMPANIES, INC.
AT&T
BANK OF AMERICA
CAESAR’S ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
CARNIVAL CORPORATION & plc
CHEVRON
CITI
COMCAST CORPORATION
FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
GENERAL MOTORS
HERBALIFE
JOHNSON & JOHNSON
KRAFT FOODS GROUP
MILLERCOORS
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
SODEXO
STATE FARM INSURANCE COS.
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY
ASSOCIATES
AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE
CAPITAL ONE
CISCO SYSTEMS
THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
COMERICA BANK
CONAGRA FOODS, INC.
CSX CORPORATION
DELTA AIRLINES
DENNY’S CORPORATION
DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA
ERNST & YOUNG
GOOGLE
THE HOME DEPOT
HUMANA
JPMORGAN CHASE
KPMG
MACY’S
MANPOWERGROUP INC.
MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES
MEDTRONIC
MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
MORGAN STANLEY
PEPSICO
PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL
SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
TD BANK
UNITEDHEALTHCARE
UPS
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS
VOYA FINANCIAL SERVICES
WAL-MART STORES, INC.
WYNDHAM WORLDWIDE