Corporate Observer, Vol. 18, Issue 3

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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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

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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 6

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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.”

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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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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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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.

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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 12

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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.”

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“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.

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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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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

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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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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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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 18

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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

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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.

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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