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Dynamic Latinas
It was both encouraging
and exciting for me to
watch all the women—dynamic
Latinas—accept the LS 50
Award at the LATINA
Style 50
Awards & Diversity
Leaders Conference on
February 8, 2007. Seeing
each woman, representing
some of world’s leading
companies, brought a
smile to my face. It
reminded me that there
are at least 50
trailblazing companies
making real progress
toward workforce
diversity and proving
that the continued
struggle is paying off
in a big way.
The companies
represented at the
conference are among
those who have dared to
move the needle. They
recognize the strength
and leadership that
Latinas offer to this
country. In
extraordinary ways, the
core values of education
and hard work Latinas
bring to the table are
altering the way
companies do business.
And even beyond
corporate America, they
are making their mark at
the highest levels of
government. Indeed, they
are changing the very
face of government.
Let’s not underestimate
these changes and what
they mean for all of us.
I believe the landscape
of our country is
transforming by women
and, in particular, by
Latinas who strive to
reach for higher heights
in education and
business. In turn, they
are lending a hand to
bring their sisters and
communities along for
the ride. And no place
is this more apparent
than in the financial
services industry where
Latinas are shattering
the glass ceiling and
moving into the corner
office.
Over the last 10 years,
Hispanics have added
greater diversity at the
management level in
financial services. So
why a financial services
career? One might ask.
And why not, I say.
Projections put
financial services among
the fastest growing
industry sectors. Jobs
in the field represent a
broad spectrum, ranging
from the more visible
consulting and financial
planning jobs to the
lesser known, yet
rapidly growing,
occupations like
forensic accounting.
These careers afford
women flexible schedules,
work/life balance,
ongoing training and
development, travel and
an equal chance for
advancement and
competitive compensation.
These seem like reasons
enough for any ambitious
woman to give the
industry serious
consideration.
While the financial
services industry on the
whole has been slow to
add people of color to
its ranks, Deloitte &
Touche USA LLP is
helping to change the
model. We recognize the
value of a diverse
workforce and a culture
of inclusion that
respects everyone for
the different
perspectives they bring
to the job, and we
strive to provide our
people with the
experiences and tools
they need to succeed. In
fact, nearly all of our
top Latina executives,
such as Maritza Gomez
Montiel, southeast
region managing partner
and member of the
Deloitte board of
directors, and Rebecca
Amoroso, principal and
national sector leader
for insurance at
Deloitte, have benefited
from our coaching and
mentoring programs, our
Women’s Initiative, and
our many specialized
development programs to
secure their leadership
positions.
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Maritza Gomez Montiel
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Rebecca Amoroso |
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Our own dynamic Latinas,
like those who made it
to the top 50, share the
same uncompromising
drive to achieve
excellence—in their
careers, in their
personal lives, and for
their communities. They
are also sterling role
models and an
inspiration for girls
and women looking to
claim their piece of the
American dream.
Redia Anderson Banks,
chief diversity officer,
national principal,
Diversity & Inclusion,
Deloitte & Touche USA
LLP. Anderson Banks is
responsible for driving
Deloitte’s Diversity &
Inclusion Initiatives.
By Redia Anderson Banks |
