Hispanic Role Models

Everyone needs a role model -- someone whose journey, ambition and success can inspire new generations to chase their dreams, make the most of their talents, and persevere through whatever challenges come their way.

In this year’s magazine, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce introduces you to two distinguished individuals who are making waves in their respective industries and who serve as valuable role models to Hispanic professionals of all ages. Their stories and wisdom serve as reminders that dedication and resiliency can lead anyone to success, no matter who they are, where they come from or where they want to go next.

Taking Charge & Changing Lives

AT&T’s Sonia Pérez on the importance of leaving no stone unturned — and no door unopened — on your path to success

Everyone knows that when opportunity knocks, you’re supposed to open the door. But Sonia Pérez does things a little differently: she opens the door whether or not she hears an invitation. Opportunity, for those like her, is always on the other side.

It’s Pérez’s make-your-own-luck attitude that led her to become the President of Southeastern States for AT&T, starting with the day she walked by a job board at the University of Texas at Austin. Although she already had an internship lined up, one posting caught her eye, announcing an internship opportunity at Southwestern Bell Corporation (later to become a subsidiary of AT&T).

“I went into the career placement office and said that I’d like to sign up for an interview. They told me there was only one time slot available, and it was the one at 8:30 the next morning,” Pérez recalls. “So I took it, went through the interview, and the next day I got a call with an offer.”

The professor who’d arranged her initial internship encouraged her to take this new chance, so she did. Three internships with Southwestern Bell later, she was hired on full time. After just two years, Pérez caught wind of another opportunity within the company, one that would be a major promotion for a new hire like her. Still, she thought, “Why shouldn’t I try?”

“I saw an opportunity become available in the Rio Grande Valley,” Pérez says, “so I went into the division manager’s office and asked to be considered for the job. He said, ‘You’re not ready for that! We’ll let you know when you’re ready.’ And then three months later, he called me in and said, ‘You’re ready now.’”

Sonia Pérez spent almost 19 years serving in various capacities throughout Houston and South Texas before becoming the company’s Southwest General Manager, a position she held for 8 additional years. By 2005 she was Vice President of AT&T Texas; by 2010 was President of AT&T Louisiana. Finally, in 2018, Pérez assumed the helm as President of Southeastern States, encompassing several states including Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana,and North and South Carolina. All of that happened because she was simply willing to take a chance on herself, no matter the risk of failure.

It took years of work and dedication to get to such a prestigious role at one the nation’s largest corporations, but it has certainly paid off. Pérez sees the signs of her company’s impact everywhere she looks, a feeling both validating and incredibly humbling.

“Not so long ago, I was driving across the Sunshine Bridge, and I saw all the ships down in the river and thought, ‘This is my state. We are helping move that cargo!’ The responsibility is huge!” Pérez says. “And then I was driving down the bayou and saw people fishing, and I thought, ‘We’re involved in that industry, too. Because of us, they can make connections!’ This is what my job enables, what my company provides. We deploy tech so that industries of all kinds can thrive.”

More than that, AT&T’s long history in the state of Louisiana is one that Pérez says she’s extremely proud of. The company’s dedication to the region has been evidenced time and time again by its investment in Louisiana’s people and communities, donating upward of $2 billion dollars after Hurricane Katrina and funding STEM education initiatives for underserved communities.

“We take care of our people and communities,” Pérez says. “It really is exciting to me that I work for and lead a company that reflects my own personal values around education, and that we really can make a difference. We’re very targeretd in the contributions we make, and particularly in this environment, it’s important to understand why. We’ve always had the belief that our workforce should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, both because it’s important for business and also because it’s the right thing to do.”

Pérez lives those values even when she’s off the clock. In addition to her support of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana, she extends resources and expertise to several boards throughout the region, including Xavier University, the Urban League of New Orleans and the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Pérez’s career has taken her through numerous roles and responsibilities and has challenged her to grow in ways that she never imagined, but she has made — and will continue to make — the most of every new opportunity. Those are the words she lives by, and for anyone looking to her for advice on how the match her incredible success, she offers this wisdom:

“Don’t think you know exactly what you want to be in life. Being too sure means missing opportunities that cross your path,” Pérez says. “I never thought I’d be in this type of position, but I worked hard, opportunities were presented, doors opened, the company continued to grow and expand, and I’m blessed to have been a recipient of all the good things that AT&T brings to the table for somebody who wants to grow their career.”

See a Need, Fulfill a Need

Helena Moreno, New Orleans City Councilmember At-Large, has built her career on the virtue of extending a helping hand to those who need it.

While Helena Moreno’s 10 years in public service are marked with numerous personal victories and milestones, it’s what she’s done for others that stands as a true testament to her strength and leadership in the Greater New Orleans area and beyond.

Born in Veracruz State, Mexico and raised in Texas, Moreno got her start as a journalist, leveraging her communication skills and keen observant eye to cover local news in Dallas, Houston, Savannah and, finally, in New Orleans. Her coverage of Hurricane Katrina and subsequent recovery efforts for WDSU earned her numerous accolades, including the title of Broadcaster of the Year from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers. This pivotal time in her career not only positioned her as a prominent voice in broadcast journalism, but also spurred her in the pursuit to become a community leader.

“It was the slow recovery after Hurricane Katrina that led me to run for public office,” Moreno says. “I served in the Louisiana Legislature as the State Representative for District 93 for eight years before being elected to the New Orleans City Council At-large position.”

Since entering the public service sphere, Moreno has been a fierce advocate for numerous community issues she’s passionate about. In response to the ongoing opioid crisis, she authored legislation to allow first responders and third parties to carry Naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose. Moreno also ensured the safety of all New Orleans residents by securing a permanent presence of State Police in the French Quarter.

On the healthcare front, she fought against the elimination of community clinics, ensuring that funding continued to flow into those vital establishments. Not only that, Moreno also saved Louisiana’s Tumor Registry and Louisiana’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, enabling the funding and continuation of preventative care and cancer research.

“Some of my proudest achievements have been legislative accomplishments to help women,” Moreno says. “In the Legislature and the Council, I’ve worked hard on measures to prevent sexual harassment, help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and ensure women are paid equally to men.”

That hard work and passion have paid off tenfold: Moreno’s efforts resulted in revised procedures for Temporary Restraining Orders and Protective Orders, and she helmed the creation of the Domestic Violence Protection Commission. Through the Commission, she was able to author and pass legislation that escalated penalties for repeat violations of protective orders filed by victims of domestic battery.

All that and more is the sum of just 10 years of work, but Moreno isn’t stopping any time soon. She continues to monitor the needs of the community — both through her own personal lens and through the experiences of her constituents — in order to effectively eliminate any obstacles standing in the way of equity and prosperity for current and future generations.

“I’m also proud of my work to become a more resilient New Orleans by working on climate strategies and implementing a mandate to bring us to net zero carbon emissions by 2040,” Moreno says.

Through it all, Moreno never loses sight of her heritage; in fact, she puts it to work in order to hear and represent all voices in the city, drawing on her professional wisdom and personal involvement in local organizations like the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana to affect the greatest possible change.

“Being able to speak Spanish (or sometimes Spanglish) has helped me connect with many more constituents,” Moreno says. “I’ve also recently been chairing a new Hispanic Task Force made up of advocates and leaders to help the Hispanic community navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan is for this task force to expand its work beyond COVID.”

Moreno says she never has to try hard to keep her job exciting: by dealing with matters both small and large, she and her hardworking staff remain constantly mobilized to meet the needs of all constituents. It’s an enormous undertaking, but she wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, it’s the responsibility of anyone with passion, resources and limitless drive to make the most of the opportunities they’ve been given. Any stumbles along the way, she says, are necessary components of true growth and understanding.

“Anything is possible and achievable,” Moreno says. “Set your sights high, but know that to achieve big goals, it’ll take hard work, tenacity, sacrifice and failure. Yes, failure. I have failed many times in my life, but I always get right back up and keep plugging away until I’m successful. If you’re willing to take on the challenge, then the sky’s the limit.”