This Hispanic Heritage Month, GHJ’s BIPOC Cohort spoke with Latino leaders in finance to hear about their professional journeys and learn more on building community in the workplace and how challenges help shape leaders.

The panel included: 

GHJ’s BIPOC Cohort co-leader, Miso Moon, moderated the panel, with each guest sharing experiences from their careers that shape how they lead today, bring others to the table, and represent their Hispanic or Latino culture in the workplace.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

How has your Hispanic or Latino heritage and cultural background influenced who you are as a professional and leader in your organizations today?

“Who have you helped along the way? Success is not what we do for ourselves but how we show up for others.” — Jazmin Egas

Jazmin Egas: My parents raised me with an understanding of the importance of family, community, perseverance and humility. They taught me that success is not just about what we accomplish individually but how we show up for others and what we contribute along the way. 

Those values shaped how I am as a leader in my role today. Leadership is about building genuine relationships and creating opportunities for others. While personal accomplishments are important to your own growth, the people you teach along the way are the true measure of your success. 

What impact has a mentor or advocate had on your career?

Robert Carrillo: When I first entered the workforce, I had a boss who was roughly twice my age, with that much more professional experience and the salary to prove it. It was entirely intimidating, and I struggled to find anything in common with the man. Yet, he treated me as if we were equals, and that made all the difference in my confidence and career journey. 

He was the person telling me to go back to school for my benefit; he encouraged me to move to another country for work when the time came to leave the company. He taught me that titles do not matter, and what truly counts is who you are as a person. This man saw potential in me that I had never before considered, and he advocated for me every step of the way. That made a significant difference in how I later vouched for myself and my career, because I had the confidence to do so. 

What does building community in the workplace look like to you?

Kiki Lizárraga: When we are at work and among colleagues, it is important to remember that we all have the same goals. It is our responsibility as leaders to uplift those around us and respect that every team member plays a role in the ecosystem of the business. Everyone in an organization contributes to its success, so building a culture of trust, empathy and equity within your work community can have a huge impact on the company’s overall culture and performance. 

Looking back on your career, was there a challenge or setback that ultimately helped shape the professional you are today?

“I fail every four to five years on average in life. But failure keeps leading me to new journeys.” — Robert Carrillo

Robert Carrillo: I tend to look back when I am going forward, as it is often after failure that I find new success. After traveling internationally while working in accounting, I returned to the U.S. with little in my bank account. This led me to consider what I wanted to do next with my career, as I had the chance to start over entirely. This ultimately landed me where I am today with a grassroots practice I founded.

GUIDANCE THAT SHAPES PROFESSIONALS TODAY

Beyond sharing lessons learned in navigating the workforce as People of Color, the leaders left attendees with a piece of career advice they wish they had received earlier in their professional journeys.

GHJ is proud to spotlight voices of the profession and members of underrepresented communities as part of its commitment to prioritizing a culture of inclusion and equity.