IBM Corporation

Just as IBM Corporation works to continually develop new technology, it also allocates resources to further develop a supportive work environment and maximum benefits for its employees, including its Latinas. This international computer- and software-production corporation is renowned for its dedication to helping employees create a work-life balance. IBM fosters a supportive environment through its numerous employee networks. La Red Familiar, the employee network of Hispanic women at IBM, fosters networking opportunities for IBM’s nearly 2,000 Latina employees. IBM also offers a competitive health- and child-care package and allows women up to three years of absence for childbirth. To attract talented Hispanic and women employees, IBM has implemented Project View seminars for Hispanics and for women. These one-and-a-half day seminars allow Hispanic and women employees to explore career possibilities within IBM.

One of the most successful Latinas at IBM and in the computer and software industry at large is Miriam Vializ-Briggs. As vice president of marketing for Strategic Growth Businesses, Vializ-Briggs is a powerful example of a strong Latina in a typically male-dominated industry. With over 13 years of corporate experience, Vializ-Briggs has proven herself as a valuable resource to IBM. She is responsible for creating innovative development and sales strategies to market up and coming technology, worldwide.

New York Life Insurance Company
As a leading mutual-insurance provider, New York Life Insurance Company endeavors to recruit a workforce as diverse as its customers. With that goal in mind, New York Life is dedicated to extending employment opportunities to Latinas and has created the Hispanic Marketing Unit. To recruit talented Hispanic women, New York Life partners with numerous Hispanic organizations, including the Professional Latina Women’s Organization and the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. To promote advancement among recent hires, New York Life offers two unique Fast Track programs to recent college and business-school graduates. In 2003, New York Life initiated the Women’s Leadership Project, providing seminars and networking events to its female employees at all levels. New York Life also understands the vital contributions its Latinas make to their families. Accordingly, New York Life offers on-site child-care at some of its locations, generous health-care coverage, and flexible-time options.

Rafaela Herrera, corporate vice president of compliance, is an expert on the insurance-compliance industry, with 20-plus years of experience. Before joining New York Life in 2001, Herrera was a vice president at a National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) broker-dealer. A valuable asset to New York Life, this Latina has proven that hard work and dedication do pay off.

Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial remains a leading and innovative financial-services company, continually offering its employees advancement opportunities and new challenges. To secure its diverse workforce, Prudential partners with national Hispanic organizations such as the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the Association of Professional Hispanic Accountants (APHA), attending conferences and career fairs. Prudential promotes advancements through fast-paced leadership and mentoring programs such as Excellence in Leadership and Women in Finance. Additionally, over half of the company’s participants in its 2004 Fast Track program were employees of diverse backgrounds, further demonstrating Prudential’s commitment to diversity. The company’s Hispanic Heritage Network serves as a resource group for Latina employees, and a women’s task force responds to the needs of Hispanic women. Prudential’s Business Based Flexibility Program ensures that alternative work arrangements may be made to accommodate the ever-changing lives of Hispanic women.

Grace Torres is an incredible Latina whose immense responsibility at Prudential Financial allows her to serve as a powerful role model for all Latinas in the financial industry. As vice president of Mutual Funds Investments, Torres oversees the direction and management for all mutual funds provided by Prudential. Before joining Prudential in 1994, Torres served as the vice president of Bankers Trust Company. Also a certified public accountant, Torres is a powerful Latina in the financial sector.

SBC Communications Inc.
With almost 11,000 Latina employees, constituting nearly 7 percent of its total workforce, SBC Communications Inc. truly supports Hispanic women. Recruiting talented Latinas is a top priority for SBC, and the company demonstrates its commitment by attending over 50 college and career fairs. SBC extends its efforts beyond recruitment and works to retain talented Hispanic women through task-force programs such as the Workforce Diversity Team, Professional Women of SBC, and the Corporate Joint Diversity Council. Hispanic women at SBC may also participate in the Hispanic Association of Communications Employees of SBC (HACEMOS), which fosters an encouraging environment.

Norma Martinez Lozano is SBC’s president of diversified businesses. She has served at SBC in other capacities as well, namely as president and CEO of Southwestern Bell Messaging Services and as vice president of marketing for SBC Operations. Lozano is a well-respected Latina in the telecommunications industry and has been the recipient of awards and recognition for her dedication to excellence in leadership.

Verizon Communications
In the ever-changing world of telecommunications, Verizon Communications continues to keep up to speed not only in the services it offers but also in the diverse workforce the company creates. Verizon understands what a valuable asset Hispanic women are to the company and works aggressively to ensure that their efforts are acknowledged. Verizon actively recruits promising Latinas through its partnerships with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF). Verizon’s Latina employees are encouraged to participate in employee-resource groups such as the Women’s Association for Verizon Employees and the Hispanic Support Organization. Verizon also offers its Latina workforce extensive leadership-training and career-counseling programs, such as the Hispanic Professional Development Workshop and the Development and Leadership Institute. While creating an accelerated work environment for its Latina employees, Verizon also remains sensitive to the balance of work and life. Accordingly, the company offers a generous benefits package that includes generous leave for childbirth and extensive health-care benefits.

As president and CEO of Puerto Rico Telephone, a subsidiary of Verizon, Cristina Lambert oversees all of its administrative and technical endeavors, including those associated with wireline, wireless, paging, Internet, and long-distance services. Since she began her career as an associate at Contel, Lambert has accumulated over 30 years’ experience in communications.

Wachovia Corporation
Wachovia Corporation, a leading commercial- and investment-banking company, strives to create a supportive and inclusive workplace for all its nearly 100,000 employees, including its 4,000 Latinas. As a participant in numerous diversity conferences and career fairs, Wachovia demonstrates its commitment to extending opportunities to diverse candidates, and its Human Capital Planning Program ensures that once hired, Latinas have opportunities for advancement within the company. The Diversity Task Force and the Corporate Women’s Advisory Group are integral to helping Wachovia understand the needs of its Latina workforce, and the Hispanic Latino Employee Resource Network serves as a vital support system for Wachovia’s Hispanic women employees. Wachovia has championed the importance of work-life balance by offering competitive employee benefits, including on-site child-care, child-care subsidies, paid personal leave, generous maternity leave, scholarship opportunities for employees’ children, and reimbursements for continuous education.

Recently named Wachovia’s director of diversity, Rosie Saez reflects the company’s ideals of employee inclusion and empowerment. Along with her new title comes increased responsibilities for this dedicated Latina, as she works to expand opportunities to diverse candidates and ensure their presence within the company. Saez welcomes this challenge, as she has welcomed the challenges in her previous positions with Wachovia, most recently serving as the senior vice president and regional manager of Wachovia’s Community Development Group.