|
The Top 50 Companies for Latinas to Work for in
the U.S.
For the
past seven years, LATINA Style Magazine
has published the results of its LATINA Style 50
survey to determine the top 50 companies for
Latinas to work for in the United States. With
this year’s survey, whose results were included
in the previous issue of LATINA Style, we
have launched a corollary project. In this and
each subsequent issue of the magazine, based on
the same survey information retrieved for the
LATINA Style 50, we will select 10
companies from the top 50 in various categories,
beginning with the companies that have the
largest percentage of Latina executives.
It is important for companies to maintain
workforce diversity at all levels, and that is
what these 10 companies are committed to doing.
Says Alexandra Villoch, the director of retail
advertising at The Miami Herald Publishing
Company (KnightRidder), “Our company has
complete and total commitment to diversity at
every level — and it is not just “talk.” It
begins with a deep understanding of the
diversity of the community we serve.”
The top 10 companies are not just fulfilling
quotas. “The company’s commitment to workforce
and management diversity has been constant and
steadfast, not just a ‘flavor-of-the-month’
activity,” says Angie Wiskocil, senior vice
president of network services at SBC
Communications.
Diversity is important not just in minority
representation but in the opportunity it
provides for various opinions and worldviews to
join the table. “There [is] great value placed
on … not only ethnic and racial diversity, but
diversity of thought,” says Marti Buscaglia, the
president and publisher of the Duluth New
Tribune (KnightRidder).
Because of their commitment to diversity at all
levels, and to providing opportunities and
support to all of their employees, these
companies have instituted programs and networks
to encourage Latinas and other employees to
climb the ranks and expand their skills. “Lucent
Technologies has provided me with a strong
support structure at different levels of the
organization,” says Pena. “Through this network
I am able to get coaching and direction as I
consider different career opportunities.”
Companies place a high value on the
dual-language skills that many Latinas possess,
as well as on their cultural differences. Says
Buscaglia, “Your very actions, reactions and
style will be different simply because of the
culture in which you were raised.”
Companies know that they can use these things to
their advantage. “I have held a variety of
positions where my language and cultural kills
were leveraged in the marketplace for business
success,” says Pena. According to Wiskocil, her
promotion to vice president was in large part
due to her Spanish language skills.
In spite of the support and encouragement
Latinas have received at these companies, it has
by no means been an easy road to the top. Latina
executives emphasize the necessity for Latinas
and other minorities to work just as hard as
their coworkers. “Being Hispanic or a woman is
no excuse for anything less than excellence,”
says Villoch. “There is no tradeoff with regard
to performance.”
In fact, sometimes it is necessary for Latinas
to work even harder. “We must continually prove
ourselves and demonstrate that we belong in the
highest ranks of the corporation,” say Pena.
Explains Buscaglia, “I think women in general
still lag far behind in pay and opportunity
throughout corporate America. Being Hispanic
only makes it worse. I also don’t believe in
tokenism. You have to be the best that you can
be and earn your place.”
No matter what challenges one comes up against
in her career, it is her responsibility to
confront and overcome them. They will not go
away on their own. Says Norma Martinez Lozano,
the president of diversified business at SBC
Communications, “As Hispanic women, we should be
ready to meet opportunities and challenges with
open arms. Look at every challenge as an
opportunity to make a positive difference.”
Another way to make a positive difference, and
one that Latinas at all levels seem to place a
high value on, is mentoring. Having a mentor is
something that all employees, from the bottom to
the top of the ladder, can benefit from. In
turn, Latinas emphasize the importance of giving
back and serving as mentors themselves. Says
Villoch, “Most of all, remember to coach and
mentor those that are coming behind you as you
rise up.”
Adds Lozano, “As you progress in your career,
make sure to leave the door open so others can
come along with you. There is one standard that
is very important — always remember where you
came from.”
Boldface
indicates that a company was profiled in the
LS50 Issue as one of the top 13 companies.
more > |
