As part of the Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, The Trade Commission of Peru, Yahoo and The New York Times organized a panel at the Yahoo headquarters, of stellar Latinos to discuss their connection to their heritage in the workplace and everyday life.
The panel included Millie De La Cancela, Executive Director of External Reporting, The New York Times, Jorge Gutierrez, Regional VP Search, Microsoft Advertising, Jose Ramirez, Director Optimization Strategy, Yahoo, Catherine Salazar, VP Client Services, Pandora. It was moderated by Ernesto Londoño, Editorial Board Member, The New York Times.
In a time when the Hispanic population is rising every year, it is wonderful to see these gatherings take place in an informal environment, where guests and speakers alike, feel secure to express their thoughts. Navigating through nontrivial topics such as mentorship is just as important as some of the other controversial conversations such as discrimination in the workplace. Being Latino is defined in many ways and should be explored in all of its angles. Jorge Gutierrez talked about how he thinks that Latinos talk a lot and how the fact that they are very expressive can lead to impacting each other lives without a formal mentorship relationship. All speakers agreed that for the most part they have benefited from informal mentors in the workplace that have helped them in viewing things from a different perspective.
When the conversation drifted towards a more serious tone, the speakers, in typical Latino style, would make a joke to ease the tension. Speaking about discrimination in the workplace is never a fun conversation, but it is necessary to hear the insensibilities that others have experienced to learn what would be a positive way to deal with these situations. If someone has been targeted because of his/her passion and intense personality, this is something that it is useful to share with others who may be experiencing the same reaction.
Gutierrez was quick to say that Latinos and people in general should learn to use these “unfavorable qualities” as tools. If someone is known for being too passionate, it is possible to channel that passion specifically into personal projects instead of making it a defining trait of your persona. Assimilation was also a predominant topic of the night. In a world where Muslim women are not allowed to wear their conservative clothing on the beaches of France, and there is a refugee crisis going, it is extremely relevant to share personal experiences and results. Jose Ramirez spoke about not allowing others to call him Joe or any other English counterpart for his Spanish name. Others spoke about accent reduction practices, and the importance to keeping traditions alive. Each person has their own interpretation of how to assimilate, and all speakers agreed that it is important to always keep your genuine self when integrating into a new culture.
At the end of the event, speakers, the moderator, and guests gathered around delicious Pisco cocktails and traditional dishes to mingle, network, and share their personal anecdotes of being a Latino in this marvelous country.