“The impact I wish to create to is to remind everyone that we have power and juntas our power can move mountains. I want everyone to remember that we are all worthy of love, success, and an abundance of opportunities and when we show up the most authentically, that’s when it all begins to click. ”
How did we meet?
I’ve admired Vanessa and the wonderful community she has built through #WeAllGrow Latina for years. It’s so special to me that she is now someone I can call an amiga and continue to learn from.
Twitter: @startupwithvs
Website: Here
VANESSA SANTOS FEIN
Vanessa Santos Fein is an award-winning global brand strategist, investor, heart-centric motivational speaker, and soul-led executive. A social entrepreneur, Vanessa is a catalyst and thought leader for gender equality, brand amplification, product development, mindset shift, elevating the voices of BIPOC women, and business growth. To further amplify her mission of empowering millions of women, Vanessa serves as Co-CEO & Partner of #WeAllGrow Latina, the most prominent lifestyle and community platform for impactful Latinas and Femme Latines.
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in your industry?
A: Latines are no longer the minority in this country, as we are the 2nd largest demographic, which is incredible yet our present society tries to make us feel like we are minorities. Words have power, so I no longer refer to our beautiful comunidad as minorities. We are the growing majority! One of the biggest challenges is that the opportunities and resources are disproportionate to our contribution in the US economy and also setting and leading trends across various industries. This is why it's important that we continue to support and invest on our own so that we build socio and economic power so that we have more access and opportunities to be in positions where decisions can be made. This is one of the reasons why we launched our #WeAllGrow Small Business Directory, so that we are spotlighting the beautiful talents of our diverse community and support them in having visibility.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: I realized early on that my gift is helping others feel seen and heard. Throughout my career, I pride myself in creating community and pockets of opportunities to spotlight others and that has shown up in different ways in various stages in my life. In truly listening and getting to know so many diverse women, I realized that many of us share the same struggles and often times we don’t share them for fear of being criticized. That’s why I love uncovering stories and telling stories, because I’m at a point in my life where fear is a motivating factor to push me to act and show up big and help others do so as well. The impact I wish to create to is to remind everyone that we have power and juntas our power can move mountains. I want everyone to remember that we are all worthy of love, success, and an abundance of opportunities and when we show up the most authentically, that’s when it all begins to click. So go forward, despite the opinions of others because this is your life and your story to tell, so give them something to talk about!
Q: It’s been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: Self care only became a priority after experiencing burn out. I spent over 16 years climbing the corporate ladder, in that hustle mode which is very exhausting. Mental health and self-care are not topics that you ever see showing up in any corporate deck or environment and experiencing burnout and having to take a medically approved mental health leave, it taught me the importance of caring for one-self, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. I now have routines and rituals that support me and charge me to do all that I desire and I prioritize it over any meeting, call or event. My mornings are sacred, and I make sure to pour into my cup first thing before starting my day and pouring into others.
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: My path has never been linear and I’m grateful for that because it has allowed me to learn lessons which has given me perspective and opportunities that I otherwise would never be exposed to. I began my journey in retail, then startups, publishing/media, tech and fintech and now as a business owner and community builder, all due to not trying to stick to any specific path. I learned that allowing things to flow especially in your career will reduce a lot of anxiety and relieve the pressure of having it all “figured out” at any point in your life. Many times I took a step back professionally in order to enter a new industry and it has always worked out exactly as it needed because it exposed me to so many wonderful brands, colleagues, opportunities and also challenges. Early in my career I felt the pressure to “fit in” and code switched because I was made to feel that being my vivacious and colorful self was not going to get me ahead. It wasn’t until I joined Gilt and closed the first big multi-million dollar deal in my career and had great mentors that reminded me that who I am and where I come from is what made the deal happen that I became much more comfortable showing up as my true authentic self. Today, I champion for all of us to show up authentically not just for own sanity but to remind employers that diversity is what drives profitable businesses. If you find yourself in a place where your culture and self identification is minimized, flag it immediately, make yourself heard and get support from community, such as our Amigas community. You are not alone and as you are is enough!
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latine talent?
A: Para la cultura means that we are showcasing that we belong in places where decisions are being made. I have always looked for opportunities to show up in places where there weren’t other Latinas to help open the door for others to be seen and to not only have a seat at the table but own the table. I hope for the next generation that they keep breaking barriers and shattering stigmas by educating their peers on the importance of having Latines on your side, on the importance of not conforming to the status quo, and of the contributions we make and that gives us the power and confidence to show up however we wish, as colorful as you are.
“I think we still need to ask “what have we inherited that no longer serves us?” to be able to not perpetuate cultural traits that are harmful.”
How did we meet?
One of the main reasons that I relocated to Denver from New York was because of my desire to be closer to the outdoors. I discovered the Latino Outdoors community and honestly, have never looked back. Jose has built something incredibly special and I’m grateful that we crossed paths and for all of the tremendous work he’s doing for the Latine and outdoor community.
IG: @JoseBilingue, @LatinoOutdoors
Website: Here
JOSE GONZALEZ
José G. González is a Chicano educator, environmental education advisor, outdoor enthusiast, and science communicator with a passion for outdoor equity. He is the founder of Latino Outdoors and co-founder of the Outdoorist Oath. He resides in Califas.
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in your industry?
A: One of the biggest challenges is how we approach systemic change as we also undertake our respective cultural identity wayfinding along with healing. To effect systems change we often have to tackle the structural, relational, and conceptual. Structurally that looks at things like policies, funding, and access. For example structurally we have to change policies and create new ones that provide more equitable access to nature and the outdoors. Relationally we unpack how power shows up and what it means to hold a cultural identity of “Latininad.” Conceptually we need to tackle what mental models we hold about what is the “outdoors” what “conservation” means, and how we all relate to it. And we’re doing this as we’re trying to hold an expansive space for our identity that spans a spectrum of race and that includes colonizer and colonized. So it’s a lot! But this is where the opportunities lie, because in engaging in this work we an support healing oriented work that supports the community strength and power essential to systemic change.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: One of the starting points for me was education. I was trained as a classroom teacher and that extended to outdoor science and teacher education. So those lens and framework have shaped how I have often approached the work and where my role fits in the ecosystem of social change. One reminder from that is that as classroom teacher, if you have 30 students, you strive to make every effort to support each student. You do not get to simply say “well, I like these 10 and they seem to like learning, so I’ll focus on them, and the rest will figure it out, or I won’t bother with the 5 that struggle the most.”
Q: It’s been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: This is a powerful and needed question. I’m a proponent of Attention Restoration Theory, which reminds me of the need for restorative environments. The great thing is that a powerful restorative environment is nature. So going for a walk in nature is one way. It also allows me to focus on the present. In addition, when I do a light morning jog, it serves as a meditative practice, allowing the physical body to engage in something while I process some mental stuff. I also think that supporting a spiritual practice can provide a wealth of benefits, from meditative practices to expanding our mental models of relating with each other and the land.
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: Another great question. When I started work in the outdoors space I did not have a sense of what network I was connecting to or existed in a way I could simply connect to. I know there were individuals doing amazing work but I had a type of question of “so where is everyone meeting at?” That led to the founding of Latino Outdoors and and connecting to the broader community of affinity groups as we brought greater visibility and representation a an amazing community and leadership. It has definitely not been linear and I see it more as a watershed and braided river, where there were many points that contributed to my path (the watershed) and that as it continues it’s very sinous path and that is ok and pun intended, quite natural. It still has flow and direction even as it diverges and reconnects.
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latine talent?
A: “Por La Cultura” to me comes with an honoring and expansive responsibility. It does not mean obedient prescription where simply because some says it’s “cultural” that it has incontrovertible value. I think we still need to ask “what have we inherited that no longer serves us?” to be able to not perpetuate cultural traits that are harmful. I can see this a lot in toxic masculinity masked through machismo. And we can also look at how many cultural practices and traditions can be healing as they provide a point of connection and community. This is especially in the case of how we reconnect to ancestral and indigenous traditions. That to me invites the idea of how we can be a future ancestor and lean into modernity and the future as we ensur we are healing severed connections. These are ways we also anchor to the expression of “la cultura cura.”
“Your network is your net worth. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and make you feel good. Those are your people and they will speak your name into rooms you haven’t entered yet!”
How did we meet?
Christen and I crossed paths when my colleague Marichae (check out her spotlight here) introduced us. “We just had to meet each other” she said. And she was absolutely right. Christen is taking the creator economy by storm and representing for our community by increasing professional transparency and generating opportunities for creators of color.
IG: @christen, @claraforcreators
Website: Here
CHRISTEN NINO DE GUZMAN
Christen Nino De Guzman is the founder of Clara, a glassdoor-like app for creators. An industry veteran, Christen has previously worked at Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest building communities with the world's top content creators. A creator herself, she has over 400,000+ followers across social and left her role at TikTok to launch Clara in January 2022.
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in your industry?
A: I struggled with imposter syndrome when I first began my career. I think this was because I didnt see a lot of representation in the companies and on the teams I worked on. Thankfully, that has changed over the years and I had the opportunity to work on much more diverse teams and even had the opp to be part of internal DEI organizations that brought hispanic employees together.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: I have constantly done things out of my comfort zone. Whether its leading a meeting, saying yes to a panel or starting my own company. Saying yes to things that scare me helped me overcome alot of basic fears and my initial imposter syndrome! Nothing is as scary as it seems and I've learned alot by challenging myself.
Q: It’s been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: I learned that family is so important to me! I used to prioritize work over spending time with family but though the pandemic I realized that my family has been there through everything and it makes me happy to spend time with them.
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: My journey has been untraditional. I went to a non-target school, got a job as a contractor and then finally landed full time roles in tech. It taught me that hard work, dedication and passion can take you further than you think! Your network is your net worth. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and make you feel good. Those are your people and they will speak your name into rooms you haven’t entered yet!
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latine talent?
A: I love the Latinx community. We support each other endlessly and when we come together as a community we are SO powerful. We are each others biggest advocates and I believe coming together as a community is so important!! Whether it's events, social media or cafecito- let's make an effort to get to know each other so that we can continue to see more representation in tech and beyond.
“ “Para la cultura” means for the thread of a cohort of people that understand there is power in our individual and shared culture. It means sharing experiences, building together and claiming ownership for what is rightfully ours. ”
How did we meet?
Lyanne and I met when I had the opportunity to film an interview representingTechqueria for a segment Lyanne led for Nasdaq. From the moment I met her, I knew we were going to be amigas. She’s an absolute force and is fiercely deconstructing what the typical pathway to financial literacy looks like for communities of color.
IG: @lyannealfaro, @monedamoves
Website: Here
LYANNE ALFARO
I tell stories about what’s next in the world of technology, business, and entrepreneurship. An NYC journalist turned multi-hyphenate, I’m especially passionate about exploring the Latino influence in the world of business. I have launched a newsletter and podcast all about it called Moneda Moves. I'm first generation, Mexicana, and hail from Chicago.
Today, I am a Program Manager at Google and lead External Affairs for HOLA Chicago, our Latinx ERG. Most recently, I was at Nasdaq on a small team that reimagined the way we covered companies going public on the stock exchange. On any given day, I hosted live segments spotlighting entrepreneurs and produced Nasdaq's first podcast: Tomorrow's Capital. Our work has been recognized by the likes of The New York Emmys, The Webby Awards, Digiday and PRNews.
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in your industry?
A: I think the biggest opportunity (which can be a challenge because we're building the blueprint) is bringing our cultural capital to the tech space. With a more diverse workforce, we are able to provide new perspectives and influence the way technology and programs are built for the masses. We are also able to hold space in areas where we traditionally haven't been represented and that's powerful in itself.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: My craft is all about using the power of storytelling to help elevate underrepresented communities and communities of color. My career began as a full-time journalist covering the money space, and specifically I've been most interested in highlighting stories about Latinos, our relationship with money and contributions to the American economy. That is why I created Moneda Moves, a newsletter and podcast that covers exactly these topics and is a part of the Google Podcasts Creator Program this year. Through the work that I do, I want to ensure Latinos see themselves represented and seen, embrace their potential and step into their financial power.
Q: It’s been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: I've learned that there is strength in being gentle with oneself. I've learned that there are times to walk and run. Mindfulness and intention have taken center stage as I get older, because I understand that I know myself better now and it becomes very apparent when I'm doing something in alignment. I pursue alignment in what I do across my day job, side hustles, relationships and overall the relationship I nurture with myself. Consistently working out, nourishing my body and being in touch with nature has been a beautiful way to check in with myself.
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: I do feel like being in the tech space is a milestone, but it is ultimately a tool to learn more about building and to practice influence. My journey has looked like pursuing exactly what it is I feel I'm meant to do. Through pursuing storytelling I've arrived at tech, but this is still only part of the journey, not the end in itself. On that note, I've learned to enjoy the journey and make the most impact where you're at and to really soak in as much as you can. Your mission and your "why" will drive you to your destination, as long as you keep fighting for it.
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latine talent?
A: "Para la cultura" means for the thread of a cohort of people that understand there is power in our individual and shared culture. It means sharing experiences, building together and claiming ownership for what is rightfully ours. It is being compensated fairly and creating intergenerational wealth. It's about thriving, not just surviving. It has an element of community and reinforces that we truly are stronger together, especially when we listen, are vulnerable and cross-collaborate. I hope the next generation of Latinx talent successfully break free from stereotypes, express individuality while acknowledging the power of the collective and harnessing that. There's so much more to be explored.
“We are here because of our ancestors, and the last generation before us set the previous stages for us, now it’s our turn to help and support the next Latinx generation, each generation’s work only keeps on going.”
How did we meet?
Ceci and I met when I moved to Colorado and began setting up the Denver chapter for Latinas In Tech. She’s been such an active voice in the Latine community and I’ve loved being able to learn from her and witness just how incredibly passionate she is about doing the necssary work for our community.
IG: @cfischerbenitez
Twitter: @cfischerbenitez
LinkedIn: Here
CECILIA FISCHER-BENITEZ
Cecilia is an experienced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader, she is currently a Program Manager at Latinas in Tech, a non-profit organization with the mission to connect, support, and empower Latina women working in tech. As a Program Manager, she builds inclusive programs focused on supporting, mentoring, and educating underrepresented communities to advance their careers. Prior to joining Latinas in Tech, she was a Program Specialist at Code for America and has worked in various corporate roles at companies like Enova and Groupon.
Her passion for equity and inclusion earned her an invitation to serve on the Cook County Council on Digital Equity in Illinois to address digital inequities. Cecilia is also a member of the Board of Directors for Youth Outlook, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services for LGBTQ+ youth and their families across Northern Illinois. Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys spending time with her wife and their twin boys, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and meeting local talent on her podcast, the Chicago Techies podcast.
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in technology?
A: In my opinion, there are two big challenges for underrepresented talent in the industry right now, one is belonging, and the second is access to mentorship and sponsorship when they land their first role. Belonging is crucial, feeling like you’re part of a team and feeling heard is incredibly important for workplace success and if there is a lack of that, there will be problems.
Not having access to mentorship and sponsorship, impedes growth. There are a lot of underlying issues that may contribute to that challenge, like ethnic & cultural differences, generation gaps, language, and communication but at the core its access to that opportunity for growth. As far as opportunity, It’s not a secret that there is a lack of diverse folks in Technology, and while that is a challenge right now, it’s also the biggest opportunity, organizations are in need of diverse talent, and research agrees that diverse teams perform better than any homogeneous teams, and companies are searching for that talent everywhere right now. Our communities need to be leveraging this current landscape. We need to take action and leverage those opportunities. There are so many initiatives happening all across the industry, organizations supporting their members to their first Tech job, organizations creating apprenticeship programs, internships programs, and fellowship programs prioritizing BIPOC folks, we need to be able to take advantage of those opportunities and support one another as we attempt to grow in this exciting, ever-changing industry we call Tech.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: In my experience, I knew early on that I wanted to focus on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) space, it wasn’t easy getting there, I was interested in various paths and oftentimes had no idea how to move forward. After speaking to various people in the industry already, it became clear that I was looking in too many different directions with no clear path or goals in place.
I was able to find peer mentors along the way that helped me gain clarity in the direction that I wanted to go. I was able to slow down, re-center myself, and create a plan with a potential vision for my future. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that I needed to narrow down the career path that I was most passionate about and not take whatever was available at that time, that was the key for me. I learned to focus, I learned the practice of goal setting, and I learned how to be proactive and intentional about my choices that would impact my future. For example, my first goal was to get involved with diverse organizations that were going to help me gain experience in DEI and build my craft so I started to volunteer with Anitab.org, Lesbians Who Tech, and Latinas in Tech. As far as impact, I’ve always been passionate about creating inclusive and welcoming environments where people can thrive by being themselves and bringing exactly who they are to their work. I want to bring people together, and encourage collaboration that will ultimately result in supporting each other and lifting each other up. That’s the kind of impact I want to bring through my craft.
Q: It's been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: I appreciate this question so much, before I answer I just want to say that I think it’s incredibly important for every human being to acknowledge that these past two years have been some of the most difficult years for the entire world. Everyone has faced their own unique experiences not only during the pandemic, but also during the reckoning of racial injustice and inequality, gun violence, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Personally, over the last three years, my partner and I had been trying to grow our family, and it was a pretty tough personal challenge in itself. We looked around us and watched everything that was wrong with the world, and here we were, trying to bring more people into the world. But we never gave up on our journey nor questioned if we were making the right choice. All the events that unfolded before our eyes helped us, and me personally, how to be more patient, how to be more gentle with one another, and how to appreciate the time we have been given in the world. All the difficulties, in the end, paid off, in December of 2021 we welcomed the most beautiful twin boys, this is going to sound so cheesy but they bring so much joy and happiness to my soul. Yes, they are a handful, but spending time with my wife and our babies receiving hugs, kisses, and cuddles puts me at ease and truly fills me with so much joy.
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: It is definitely not a linear path, I “broke” into Tech back in 2016 after five years in Education. I was always curious about the Tech sector, I followed closely all the startups that were founded in Chicago and those that were opening offices in Chicago. I was laid off from my role at the school I was working at and I deceased to take a leap of faith and go for it. My first opportunity was in customer service, sidenote: that's where many of us, BIPOC folks start, we don’t always have the same advantages that our counterparts do. Regardless, we have to keep in mind that we are just as talented and it’s up to us to continue our journey once we earn our first role.
My journey was definitely impacted by the people I’ve met along the way at networking events, meetups, workshops, etc. One of the main things I heard in my journey was that it’s all about who you know, and to a certain extent that can be true, but at the end of the day it’s not solely luck and network. It’s about you, how you present yourself, how aware you are about your worth, and how you can communicate what you can bring to the table.
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latinx talent?
A: I love that, “para la cultura” means everything, personally, I see this as the sense that our generation’s work is impacting everyone around us, we are elevating our culture with our success and we are inspiring the next generation of Latinx talent. It creates a sense of urgency, our generation right now has a duty to set the foundation, set the stage, and create paths forward so that others can thrive and hopefully do better than what we can accomplish right now. We are here because of our ancestors, and the last generation before us set the previous stages for us, now it’s our turn to help and support the next Latinx generation, each generation’s work only keeps on going.
“The one common thread in my journey is hard work. The path won’t be laid out for you…you have to create it and put in the efforts to get there and realize the benefits.”
How did we meet?
Antonio was one of the first individuals I met when I started working at Adobe. He was so welcoming as well as supportive and I knew that he was someone I wanted to surrounded by. He leads by example, moves with intent, and is a constant reminder to me about the value of paying it forward and amplifying others.
LinkedIn: Here
ANTONIO HUMPHREYS
Antonio Humphreys is a Strategic Sourcing, Finance Operations, and Marketing expert with 25+ years’ professional experience in global sourcing and negotiations, marketing and advertising management, sales consulting, and business planning across multiple industry verticals and geographies (including NASA, Shell Oil, Hewlett-Packard, Gap, and Adobe).
He is a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico and has lived in Houston, Texas and London, England. He currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area and works in ‘Silicon Valley’. Antonio earned his BBA at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and an EMBA at the University of Houston. He has served on a board of director capacity for Habitat for Humanity, Sourcing Industry Group University, Association of National Advertisers, and UNM Anderson School of Management Alumni and Marketing Advisory Councils. He is currently an adjunct professor at the UNM Anderson School and was previously a management adjunct professor at Lone Star College and served as Chairman for their Business Advisory Board. His passions include world travel, hiking, mentoring, and soccer (‘football’).
Q: In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge and biggest opportunity in being a minority working in your industry?
A: The biggest challenge is getting your foot in the door. It’s a very competitive field and lots of folks ‘want in’. As a minority population, Hispanics/Latinx are still quite low (typically single digit %) in many technology companies and this needs to change. How do we reverse this and make gains (i.e. opportunity)?? Once you get in, do your part to educate others about our community, support recruiting efforts at HSI schools, suggest diverse pools of candidates when you see hiring on your team, support your colleagues in their growth and development plans…and most importantly, mentor future generations (in your work, family, and friend circles). The more we rally to support each other, the more we all gain.
Q: How did you begin working on your craft and what has it taught you? Additionally, what type of impact do you want to create through your craft?
A: I’ve always been interested in business and management since high school and knew I wanted to work in a ‘big global company’ someday. One of my early jobs in undergrad was as a civilian doing procurement for the Air Force (at Kirtland Air Force Base). I was fascinated about negotiating contracts and buying goods/services at a big scale. This lead to similar jobs at NASA Johnson Space Center, Shell Oil, Hewlett-Packard, Gap, and Adobe. Besides procurement, I’ve also worked in marketing and finance operations roles and as a college professor. Working in global roles over a 25-year career has taught me to stay nimble, always be ready for change, and work hard to make your mark. Every day is a job interview and an opportunity to sell your strengths and build your brand. My biggest impact isn’t what I’ve achieved personally but how I’ve helped others grow. As a leader/manager/educator, the greatest feeling is to see your employees and students grow to new levels of success with the time you have together. They can then do the same for their peers and continue that cycle of achievement.
Q: It’s been such a complicated and tumultuous time in the world for a variety of reasons. How have you been taking care of your mind and soul? What have you learned about yourself?
A: For sure…the world is crazy right now. What frustrates me most are extremes of positions and general divisiveness. One thing that centers me is that throughout history, there have always been challenges that society has faced and this is not a unique thing happening to us. We’ve survived in the past and will continue to do so now and evolve. In my travels, I’ve been able to see and experience various cultures around the world. What I’ve learned about myself and others is that we are way more alike than we are different…and that’s awesome! What helps me to be in a good place is to:
1. Stay informed but not get caught up in the 24/7 news cycle (too stressful)
2. Prioritizing ‘cafecito’ breaks
3. Taking my dog for a walk to get outside and take a break from ‘the screen’
4. Drinking more water
5. Working on your passion projects where you feel the most fulfillment
Q: Breaking into a new industry isn't easy, and it certainly isn't linear, especially for people of color. What has your journey looked like? What has it taught you?
A: It’s tough to break into tech but definitely doable. I’ve learned and experienced so much in my tech journey after 20+ years and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. To get in, you need to bring your own diversified portfolio of educational foundation, relevant work experience, community outreach, and passion and drive for the space. The more you can sell who you are and the benefits you can bring to the organization (i.e. elevator pitch), the more successful you’ll be. The one common thread in my journey is hard work. The path won’t be laid out for you…you have to create it and put in the efforts to get there and realize the benefits.
Q: What does "para la cultura" mean for you? What do you hope for the next generation of Latine talent?
A: To be honest, this phrase means everything. Our Hispanic/Latinx culture unifies us through family, music, food…but we’re also a broad culture with roots from 20+ Spanish-speaking countries with their own unique identities. I’m most proud of wherever we come, we have some common thread that we can relate to and laugh, sing, debate, and dance. I hope our next generations build upon the successes and sacrifices that their families have made to do awesome things in the world and pay it forward to mentor and help their own ‘next generations’.