BOLDY MOVING FORWARD, JUNTOS

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, INROADS is celebrating our Hispanic interns, alumni, and team members who are taking bold steps toward building a more vibrant future.

Learn how their heritage, culture, and values are inspiring them to create an impact on their families, careers, and communities. They also share how their INROADS experience is helping them build a legacy that will positively impact future generations.

University of California, Berkeley
2021 INROADS Visiones Scholarship Recipient
Heritage: Mexico

“Through INROADS, I interned with PayPal in software engineering for two summers in a row. I also received the Visiones scholarship, which meant a lot. It let me know that there was someone out there that believed in me. This was important to me because I did not grow up around engineers, doctors, or lawyers, so I would often question if I was headed in the right direction. INROADS reassured me that I was. INROADS enabled me to see beyond what I initially thought I could achieve. They have opened doors to so many opportunities that I didn't think were possible for someone with my background. They allowed me to dream bigger."

Texas A&M
2021 INROADS Visiones Scholarship Recipient
Heritage: Mexico

“Participating in the INROADS internship program and earning the Visiones scholarship were significant achievements that played an important role in honoring my family's culture and heritage. I was able to gain valuable skills and experiences that will help me make a positive impact on my community. Moreover, these opportunities have enabled me to honor my family by breaking barriers and achieving success in a field that is traditionally underrepresented by minorities. Through my academic achievements and professional success, I hope to continue my family's legacy and inspire future generations of Mexican-American students to pursue their dreams and create positive change.”

Director of Strategic Account Management and Business Development, INROADS
Heritage: Panama & Puerto Rico

“My heritage and culture serve as a profound source of inspiration, instilling in me a strong sense of identity and purpose, reminding me of the values, traditions, and resilience that have been passed down through generations. This rich tapestry of customs, stories, and experiences motivates me to strive for excellence, to honor the sacrifices of those who came before me, and to contribute positively to my community and society at large. In my role at INROADS, my work is making a significant difference in the Latinx community by fostering inclusivity and diversity within the corporate world. By strategically identifying and cultivating relationships with key partners and clients who are committed to diversity initiatives, I am enabling talented Latinx college students to access career opportunities, mentorship, and professional development programs that might otherwise be out of reach.”

INROADS Alumna
2021 Privacy Officer, Sony Electronics Inc.
Heritage: Mexico

“I have a rich Chicano history with roots and ancestry in the Southwest for many generations. I am proud of my culture and heritage and what I've been able to accomplish because I know that I have privileges that many others of my same background do not have. I am grateful for the opportunities that were afforded to me, but these opportunities came as a result of hard work and guidance.
My INROADS internship started me on a long career in the financial services industry. Because I had such a diverse internship experience and worked during the school year with my company, I was able to graduate and land a job as an Internal Auditor for First Interstate Bank (Wells Fargo Bank). As an auditor for many years, I continued to grow and eventually landed a position in Sony, whom I've now been with for 16+ years.”

INROADS Alumna
Senior Vice-President, Relationship Manager, BMO Bank
Heritage: Mexico

“My grandparents came from Mexico with a dream to give their children a better future. I was the first person in my family to graduate from college, and I was always inspired by my grandparents’ work ethic and leadership to make the most of the sacrifices they made. What I do now to be a role model for my children was learned by watching my parents and grandparents growing up. Paying it forward to the next generation of first-time graduates is something very important to me. Mentoring, mock interviews, resume assistance, networking, and career advice are how I am helping shape the minds of future diverse leaders. I would love for my son and daughter to grow up in a country where seeing diverse leadership in executive positions isn't such a rarity.”

Program Manager, Spark Ventures
Heritage: Mexico

“I come from a long line of strong women. The matriarchy has deep roots in how I perceive the world and what my role in it should be. I'm proud to follow in the footsteps of the strong women before me who cared deeply about others and believed in sharing your blessings. They were courageous women who believed in themselves and were not afraid to go against the grain. Thanks to their bravery and sacrifices, I was the first college graduate in my family. I've traveled to every continent and speak several languages, thanks to the education and opportunities I have received. One of those opportunities was becoming an INROADS intern.”

INROADS Alumnus
Pratt & Whitney- RTX, Principal Industrial Engineer
Heritage: Dominican Republic

“The Dominican culture is very family-oriented. We go through hardship and make sacrifices just to make sure our family is taken care of. When one member of the family is in a challenging situation, everyone bands together to help them however they can. Having witnessed this in my own family, I have a deep sense of responsibility for my loved ones. Achieving success means I am in a better position to help them overcome struggles. The theme of overcoming tough situations is what makes me proud of my Dominican heritage. Our history of independence from Spain and then Haiti, the previous two generations of my family making a huge transition from the rural Bani province to the urban jungle of NYC and Boston- these triumphs are what make me proud.
I want to build a community of innovators, scientists, and change agents who are fully supported by private and public resources to tackle the pressing issues facing humanity, free of special interests or politicking. Today, I support my vision by volunteering my time to promote the STEAM fields to young students and educating them on the paths to achieve those goals that the rest of the world tells them they cannot achieve because of who they are or where they come from.”

INROADS Alumnus
Founder, Speaker and Mentor, Change Maker LLC
Heritage: Ecuador

“I had the opportunity at an early age to move to Ecuador and see where my parents and grandparents came from. I learned at an early age the importance of community but also the responsibility we have to serve it. Understanding where my parents came from gave me a different perspective of the world and my role in shaping it. One of the superpowers I learned about our heritage is that we are resilient, optimistic, and are open to reinventing ourselves when moving across worlds. In this era of constant change and disruption, we are uniquely positioned to tap into these superpowers to build a more human-centric future.
I believe we are in an era of exponential transformation with unlimited potential for our world. The 21st century will be shaped by individuals who see that humanity has more in common than different. Personally, my commitment is to mentor the leaders of today and tomorrow on what is possible in this human-centered digital future we are building. In the United States, Hispanics will have a tremendous opportunity to engage and lead in the coming decades. It is our responsibility to bring our entire community to the table.”

INROADS Alumnus
CEO and Founder of Cabrera Capital Markets
Heritage: Mexico

“My parents are both from Mexico, and I was born in Chicago on the Southwest side. I grew up in the Little Village area. Growing up I had never been exposed to finances and investments. My friends and I were all poor, and our families never really had any discretionary dollars.
One of my teachers strongly encouraged me to take his economics class. He taught us the stock market game, which lit a firecracker under me. I wanted to learn everything about the stock market. I decided to major in finance and attended Northern Illinois University. I got involved in INROADS my freshman year and ended up interning with CNA Insurance and Chubb Group.
INROADS opened my mind to a whole new world in corporate America and the investment space. One key thing I took away was: “Don't limit yourself – there are endless opportunities out there.”

Senior Vice President,
Communications for Corporate Practice, Hispanic-focused accounts, MSL
Heritage: Dominican Mexico

“I love that my work is fueled by professional experience as well as personal insights as a Latina. Often, my job is to give our most important clients strategic counsel on the necessity of marketing to Hispanics with an authentic voice. I want marketers to understand marketing to Hispanics is more than a "necessity." It’s a business imperative, given the size, age, and behavior of our segment. This isn't about hitting quotas; this is about recognizing that if you fail to plan to win this dynamic, complex audience - you are planning to fail.”

INROADS Alumnus
Senior UX Researcher, Publix Super Markets
Heritage: Cuban Korean

“As a Latina and a first-generation high school and college graduate, my cross-cultural identity and bilingualism allow me to smoothly code switch when I communicate in English with corporate peers and interact with Publix store associates in Spanish.”

Regional Director, Southeast & Southcentral, INROADS
Heritage: Ecuador

“Our heritage provides clues to our past and traditions and how our global society has evolved. It helps us examine our history and enables us to develop an awareness about ourselves. When achieving success, I'm not only representing myself and my family but all the people who share the same culture as well. Our cultural heritage is our identity, and being proud is a way to cherish those traditions. My work at INROADS allows me to help the Hispanic community by propelling and accelerating their professional careers through coaching, mentoring, and training. Helping students find the best version of themselves is my passion.”

Villanova University
Visiones Scholarship Recipient
Heritage: Peru

“I grew up with a family that greatly valued education. Both of my parents were first-generation college students, and as such, I understood the power of a quality education. Encouragement from my grandparents also helped me to get to the place I am now. Participating in the INROADS internship program and earning the INROADS Visiones scholarship has been a great honor for me. I hope to continue conveying my family's emphasis on hard work as well as honor the sacrifices made by my family to get this far, showing that they led to something meaningful.”

Brown University
INROADS Intern, Summer 2023
Heritage: Mexico & Puerto Rico

“My Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage gives me a varied perspective on immigration rights and the lingering effects of colonization. I want to help create a more connected world, where we feel a part of one, united human race and feel motivated to help any other person.”

College Links Program Manager, INROADS
Heritage: Mexico

“I keep the values that were taught to me as a child at the forefront of everything I do. I aim to preserve and protect my Mexican heritage not only because it is my past, or because it is unique or beautiful, but because my cultural heritage is my identity. It represents our values, strength, continuity, and our pride. It is the treasure that I want my son to learn about and to keep for the following generations. It is the connection between the past and future, a part of history to understand correctly and learn from. Of course, I’m proud of the pan dulce, the elote en vaso, the tacos al pastor, the Spanglish, the mariachi, and the florkor. But most of all, I’m proud of my people - my raza. As a Program Manager at INROADS, I strive to show my students how the creative power of cultural heritage can give them strength and hope to endure all the challenges and obstacles they will face throughout college and their career journey.”

INROADS Alumna
Engineer Supervisor, Colorado Springs Utilities
Heritage: Peru

“INROADS allowed me to have hands-on experience in a field I was still exploring, which helped me determine that I really did want to become an engineer. It also provided the training I needed to understand how to navigate the professional world. Being a first-generation student, I really benefitted from the training that covered material I had little to no experience in, such as resume writing, interviewing, table etiquette, and beyond. My heritage and culture are full of strong examples of hard-working individuals who set a great example to follow. I am proud of the culture teaching me to value dedication, family ties, and celebrations! There is so much to be grateful for and celebrate!”

INROADS Alumna
Owner / Brand Innovator, Marine Gear Sailing Gloves
Heritage: Mexico and Panama

“The son of immigrant parents, I had very little resources in the form of professional networks or mentorship when trying to begin my career in corporate America. INROADS taught me how to interview and dress for a professional career, how to improve my resume and communication skills, and, most importantly, to put in as much as I hoped to get out of the program.”

Project Manager, FSI, INROADS
Heritage: Mexico

“My heritage and culture are a reflection of the progress my ancestors made throughout history, and it makes me conscious of my own contributions. This inspires me to keep moving forward. I am proud to know that my contributions are making a difference in this world. As project manager for the INROADS Financial Services Institute, I work with underrepresented students and offer them the opportunity to further their knowledge about the Financial Services Industry and the chance to connect with prominent companies in corporate America. Their representation matters, and it is a privilege to be a part of that.”

Fordham University
INROADS Intern, Summer 2023
Heritage: Spain

“I feel proud of the growing number of programs within different companies aimed at increasing Hispanic and Latino representation. These represent an increased understanding of the power that diversity has. Personally, I want to advance Hispanic representation within the financial sector of the U.S. economy.”

Baylor University
2022 Visiones Scholarship Recipient
Heritage: Mexico

“The INROADS internship program has provided me with the opportunity to gain real-world experience and has equipped me with the skills to be a strong leader. I love being able to represent my culture well and show that people from my background deserve and are capable of being in the workplace. I also received the Visiones scholarship, which meant the world since it gave me the support necessary to be successful in my studies. Being a scholarship recipient honors my family's culture because it ensures that I’m able to continue my education and further my legacy.”

Senior Programs Manager, INROADS
Heritage: Spain, Mexico, Pomo Indians & Picuris Pueblo Indians

“I am inspired by my heritage and culture because of our rich love for family and for God. These values are the foundation that supports our vision for a better future and the strength to work hard to achieve it. I am proud of what my family has accomplished, and I use this to fuel my role in making our path brighter for the next generation. I love my role at INROADS! I love being able to relate with and build the confidence of our Hispanic students. As it relates to college and career, I remember not knowing what to do and not having anyone in my family to turn to for help or direction. Being able to help a young student in a similar situation find their voice and the confidence to continue on their path is so rewarding.”

National Director, Strategic Alliances, INROADS
Heritage: Puerto Rico & The Caribbean

“The generations before me worked tirelessly to get to America so that my generation could be afforded endless opportunities. I feel it is my duty to make them proud and achieve the success they dreamt of, as well as leave a legacy. For the last decade, I have co-led the Visiones Annual Benefit event, which celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, brings awareness to the impact we make in the community, and provides scholarship funding to deserving Latino students.”

INROADS Alumna
Heritage: Ecuador

“My heritage and culture inspire me. My community isn’t represented in spaces like healthcare, and I want to be that representation. I want the younger generation to see that someone just like them has accomplished great things, and they can, too. I feel proud of my culture because we are all here because our parents worked hard and overcame so many obstacles, like language, to make it in this country and give us the opportunities they never had. I want to serve as a voice for Latinos. I went into Public Health because many people don’t know about all the available resources, and language is a big reason. I want Latinos to know they have a voice, and they have someone fighting for them.”

Director of iPROS & Industry Initiatives, INROADS
Heritage: Panama

“Through my work in iPROS and FSI at INROADS I am able to be an advocate and a bridge to opportunities for students and graduates who otherwise may not have been in a position to find opportunities such as jobs, internships, fellowships, and trainings.”

INROADS Alumna
Global DEI Program Manager, HP, Inc
Heritage: Puerto Rico

“I'm proud to be an Afro-Latina, Caribbean woman. Being my authentic self is my superpower, and I bring my true self into every space I enter. Because of my background, I have been very successful in the DEI space. I'm an advocate for Black, Latin, Caribbean, and first-generation professionals in the workplace. I'm honored to be able to teach dance lessons at my company's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and share my culture.
Representation truly matters. I want other men and women of Hispanic heritage to be inspired by me and take action. As an Afro-Latina, I make sure to educate others on the subjects of colorism, Latinidad, culture, and hair discrimination. I want the world to accept us, embrace our culture and our diversity of thought.”