Building Legacy Through People, Purpose, and Opportunity

By Alex Barreto, Chief Executive Officer of HACEMOS, the national Hispanic and Latino employee group and non-profit organization at AT&T.

When people think about legacy, they often think about success, innovation, and results. Those things matter. But from where I sit, legacy is really about people.

Connection plays a big role in that. Not just the kind that links systems or technology, but the kind that brings people together. It's about creating opportunities, sharing knowledge, and helping others grow.

As someone who started on the front lines and worked my way into leadership over the last 20-plus years, I've seen how a single opportunity can change the course of a career. Today, as CEO of HACEMOS, I carry that lesson with me every day. My journey has shaped how I lead and, more importantly, how I help others find their own path.

I believe leadership is not about holding a position. It's about helping others discover what they're capable of and giving them the confidence to take the next step.

Employee groups play an important role in making that happen. They're more than communities. They're places where people can learn, take on new challenges, and develop skills they may never have the chance to build in their daily roles. They give people the opportunity to lead before they ever have a formal leadership title.

My approach to leadership comes down to three things: empathy, accountability, and action. Empathy means listening and understanding where people are coming from. Accountability means doing what you say you're going to do and setting the example for others. Action means creating opportunities and following through on commitments.

One of the most important lessons I've learned is that great leaders don't always stand out right away. I don't look at someone's title, background, or resume first. I look for people who are willing to learn, stay committed, and put in the work. Some of the strongest leaders I've seen started by volunteering, raising their hand, and showing up consistently.

Success doesn't happen in isolation. The members who volunteer their time, lead initiatives, mentor others, and stay engaged are the foundation of everything we do. In my experience, allies are some of our greatest strengths, what I like to call familia. They support the mission because they believe in it. They bring fresh perspectives, challenge our thinking, and help us build something that lasts.

That leads to another leadership lesson I value: surround yourself with people who will challenge you. Not every idea should get a yes. Some of the best outcomes come from honest feedback, tough questions, and different points of view. Those conversations don't slow progress. They make the end result stronger.

At HACEMOS, we've put that mindset into practice through mentorship, leadership development, and technology programs. We focus on building a pipeline of future leaders and making sure opportunities continue for the next generation. Succession is not something you think about later. It's part of the responsibility of leadership today.

One example is HACEMOS High Technology Day. For more than 28 years, the program has introduced students across the country to careers in technology and helped them see opportunities they may not have known existed. By providing hands-on experiences and exposure to new technologies, we're helping students imagine new possibilities while supporting efforts to expand access and opportunity.

For me, this is where everything comes together. The same ideas that strengthen organizations, connection, opportunity, and leadership, are the same ideas that inspire the next generation. Through HACEMOS, our employees are not just supporting that work. They're leading it.

Our scholarship program reflects that same belief. Since 1998, HACEMOS has awarded more than $5 million to students pursuing higher education. While the numbers are impressive, the real impact is in the opportunities created. Students continue their education, grow into leaders, support their families, and create opportunities for others.

That's how legacy is built.

Not only through what we accomplish, but through the people we help prepare for what's next.

If there's one message I'd leave with you, it's this: leadership isn't about being the only voice in the room. It's about creating space for others to contribute, grow, and lead.

That's how we continue building a legacy of connection through people.

Juntos HACEMOS más. Together, we do more.