Latinx and Hispanic People Embody Their Diverse Cultures to Thrive at Workday

In the United States, National Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off mid-September. Yet around the globe, Latinx and Hispanic people at Workday honor their diverse backgrounds and cultures united by a common language in their own ways—both at home and at work—every day. 

Given the unique challenges and opportunities Latinx and Hispanic employees have met, we wanted to speak to a few of them about their experiences navigating their careers and their heritage, as well as their paths for what they hope to accomplish in the future. (For clarity, while the terms Latinx and Hispanic are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings. Latinx, an inclusive, gender-neutral replacement for Latino or Latina, focuses on geography, while Hispanic focuses on a linguistic division.)

In this edition of our VIBE™ Voices blog series, Workmates share their perspectives about life, work, and belonging.

We’ve all had to overcome hurdles on our career journeys. What are some hurdles you’ve overcome, and what advice would you give to Latinx and Hispanic employees on leveraging their lived experiences to help them thrive in their careers at Workday?

Chano Fernandez, co-CEO at Workday, is based in London:

The hurdles I faced throughout my career are some of the most impactful and rewarding parts of the journey. When we go through challenging times, we experience a tremendous amount of growth and learn important lessons—and these past few years have certainly proved that for so many of us. While I’ve faced a few hurdles, there’s one that sticks out from earlier in my career, when my own perception almost got in the way of taking on a new leadership opportunity. Being from Spain, Spanish is my first language, and when I was pursuing a new leadership role, I was concerned that my command of the English language and my accent would put me at a disadvantage for the position, to the point where I considered dropping out of the running. In the end, I overcame that feeling and was excited to take on a new challenge—and ultimately landed the role. And it was the best decision I could have made because it’s what led me to Workday. So, it’s important to be mindful of our own perceptions and ensure that they don’t hold us back.

My advice to Latinx and Hispanic employees—and it applies to all employees—is to embrace the notion that your attitude reflects your altitude. Having a positive attitude and doing the right thing can be very powerful and can have an immediate impact on people. This approach has served me well in my career—and in my life. So, as you continue to progress in your professional journey, focus on bringing the best you can offer to your present role, and trust that it will continue to unlock your potential and lead to future growth opportunities.

When and why have you felt empowered to share your heritage or culture at work? How has it enabled you to adapt or relate to other cultures at work?

Ernesto Boada, interim CIO and senior vice president business technology at Workday, is based in Boulder, Colorado:

My Colombian heritage is something I am very proud of, and I share it at every job and when it is relevant in conversations about such things as food, politics, vacations, and sports. Why? I believe people will connect more authentically when they openly share their interests and their backgrounds. It does not mean everyone will connect, but I believe it is important to be authentic and unique. Like work experience, I see our heritage as one more thing to share, use, and apply.

Sharing heritage and culture with others has the advantage of revealing similarities, or differences, between cultures that allow you to connect with them more effectively. Making connections like this is the key to building lasting relationships. I love that Workday embraces so many cultures—we are truly a global company. 

How do your heritage and cultural values inform your long-term career goals or what you value in your career?

Jose Maldonado, a senior integration consultant at Workday, is based in Sydney, Australia:

Cultural backgrounds form the foundations of human behavior, and my heritage and cultural values have significantly influenced what I prioritize in my career. In both Hispanic and Latinx cultures, embracing fun and play is how we demonstrate being present in the moment, so I do value and feel the core value of fun at Workday. Family is also very important in our culture, and I have been able to achieve a good balance at Workday to manage work and personal time, and Workmates have even become part of my family. 

How do you feel your generation approaches life and career, considering what you know of earlier generations of Latinx people? How are your generation’s career expectations different from your predecessors?

Natalia Alvarez, a software development engineer at Workday, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area: 

I was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and my immediate family and I moved to California when I was 5 years old. Growing up and living in the 21st century in the United States has been a different experience than what other generations have known. In previous generations, Latina women didn’t always get that freedom or the opportunity to do what they wanted. Often, they were forced down paths that were expected of that generation.

Looking back at everything that has changed in the last 20 years, I’d say Latinx members of Generation Z have more opportunities to find a career or passion that they want to pursue. For instance, when I was in college, I had the flexibility to take classes that interested me, which ultimately led me to pick a major that I felt passionate about. 

For the Latinx of my generation, more people are changing jobs and moving to different parts of the world for careers they are passionate about, which is wonderful because everyone has the right to pick what they want to do. Life experiences have changed the way the Latinx members of Gen Z view their work lives, and I’m proud to be at a company and in a job that makes me happy—and have the ability to choose my career path.

How has being part of the Latinx Employee Belonging Council (EBC) influenced your own relationship to Latin culture and how you show up as your authentic self at work? 

Pablo de Legarreta, a principal functional consultant at Workday, is based in Frisco, Texas, and a project lead with our Latinx EBC:

Originally from Mexico City, I experienced culture shock when I moved to the United States as an adult. Cultural norms, food options, social interactions, misconceptions about Latin American countries, and holidays were some of the differences I experienced, so I had to learn the new culture and adapt to new surroundings. When I meet people from other Latin American countries, I seek to learn more about their cultures and share my cultural background and experiences with them. Being a member and part of the leadership team at Latinx EBC opened up more opportunities for me to learn the cultures and histories of other Latin countries, making me realize how similar and yet how different our Latin cultures are. This has helped me to better understand other people’s points of view and become a more empathetic person.

What are your suggestions on seeking a career mentor who is aware of your cultural values and the hurdles unique to the Latinx community?

Elsa Jimenez, a senior associate business systems analyst at Workday, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and a project lead with our Latinx EBC:

My suggestion for finding a career mentor who is aware of my cultural values and my unique hurdles is to openly communicate my story and be transparent about my values. My family, which is from Oaxaca, Mexico, helped shape my values. Showing up authentically is the best way to grow professionally. Before seeking out a mentor, make sure you have identified your professional goals, both short term and long term. Where do you want to be in a year? Five years? Ten? Mentoring is a two-way street.

Teresa DeBar, vice president, global head of talent acquisition at Workday, is based in the San Francisco Bay Area:

Workday openly acknowledges and embraces the idea that Latinx and Hispanic professionals have a specific point of view, so it feels more natural to seek that kind of mentor who is also aware and acknowledging. Latinx and Hispanic professionals in tech know the feeling of being minorities at work and often have that same minority feeling at home, perhaps being the only one in a high-tech role. Having a role model who understands what it’s like to balance both worlds brings so many benefits: rapid affinity, relatable stories, and advice that resonates. 

Finding a mentor usually happens on the journey of continuous learning. Don’t let those opportunities pass you by! Discovery happens when you see someone displaying their brilliance or sharing their story, which can make you feel admiration or maybe a dose of inspiration. Be brave, ask for a meeting, and come prepared. Have your story ready to share and a list of smart questions in hand. See if you have a connection, and if so, cultivate it!