Claim OwnershipThe Latino Majority
Subscribed: 7Played: 108
Subscribe
Description
The Latino Majority podcast highlights the leaders of our country’s new majority—one that is increasingly multicultural, increasingly diverse, and increasingly Latino. With each episode, our host Pedro A. Guerrero speaks with Latino leaders in business and culture about their career journeys and lessons learned.
58 Episodes
Reverse
For Luis Miranda, Jr., transitioning from his Puerto Rican roots to his current position as a prominent figure in American politics and culture has been extraordinary. With a background of resilience and determination, Luis has become a trailblazer in both the public and private sectors. As a political strategist, philanthropist, and author, he has dedicated his life to advocating for Latino voices and championing the American dream. Miranda, Jr. has left an indelible mark on American society throughout his career. From his pioneering work in political strategy to his unwavering commitment to social justice, he has consistently fought for the empowerment of marginalized communities. In this episode, we delve into his insights on the evolving landscape of Latino identity, the nuances of American politics, and the cultural impact of the Latino community. Miranda, Jr. brings valuable perspectives to the table to help us better understand the intersection between politics, culture, and identity in America.
For Oscar Munoz, leadership is more than simply steering companies to success. To him, it’s about connecting with people on a human level. As the former CEO and chairman of United Airlines, Oscar's leadership prioritized building trust and inclusivity. His genuine concern for others stem from his experiences, making him a relatable and inspiring figure in the corporate world. Our host, Pedro Guerrero, details Oscar's journey into the human side of leadership, uncovering the secrets to success in an ever-changing world.
From the youngest elected mayor to CEO of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Fidel Vargas is dedicated to educational access and community empowerment. As a former recipient of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund turned CEO of the HSF, Fidel's tireless efforts have reshaped the landscape of scholarship programs and catalyzed opportunities for countless young Latino scholars nationwide. Through strategic advocacy and innovative programs, Fidel has built pathways to success for underrepresented communities and opportunities for younger generations. Today, Vargas continues to drive a new perception home: Latino students in the United States are in charge of their own destinies, and there are no limits to what they can achieve.
For Julie Chavez Rodriguez, becoming a dynamic leader in today’s America could be her destiny as the granddaughter of civil rights icon Cesar Chavez. From her roots in the farmworker movement, Julie has emerged as a pivotal member of President Biden’s re-election campaign and stands among one of the highest-ranking Latinas in the White House. It was her upbringing, Julie says, that instilled dedication and determination in her at an early age. As she navigates her current role in politics, Julie provides a glimpse into the strategic efforts to engage the Latino voter. With an estimated 36.2 million Hispanics being eligible to vote this year, up from 32.3 million in 2020, Julie provides a glimpse into the strategic efforts to engage the Latino voter.
For Sandra Velasquez, it’s always been about self-worth and self-acceptance. Show up as yourself and be bold about it. In a world that undermines minorities, Sandra aspires to take center stage and make a meaningful impact, not just for herself but also for the Latino community. From her early days as a performer leading sold-out shows to her current role as the founder of the groundbreaking beauty brand Nopalera, Velasquez knows this is a business of survival of the strongest. Sandra has defied conventions while showcasing creativity, resilience, and passion throughout her diverse portfolio, including a Shark Tank experience. Her story challenges norms and biases where she fearlessly embraces her Latina identity. Sandra’s narrative illustrates that everyone is inherently worthy of beauty and success from birth, offering a glimpse into what it truly takes to be seen.
When Carlos Huereca immigrated to El Paso at the age of 13, he had no choice but to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. His parents showed him how. It was at the dinner table where they often made tough decisions about their furniture business. Carlos had a front row seat to conversations about financial management and talent recruitment. It was during that time when he learned to heed the words his mother would repeat over and over: “Stay focused and committed.” He still treasures that early education and has used it to propel his career growth. First it was in sales at Dish Network. Then he pivoted to human resources at ADP. Today he owns dual roles as both CHRO and COO at Corporate Relocation International (or CRI). It’s at CRI where he’s not only able to leverage succession planning as a strategic, competitive advantage for other companies, but also support employees in their own life changes—and help make them be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
For Marta Tellado, memories of the marketplace she used to frequent in Havana, Cuba aren’t just memories — they’re a living paradigm for a better world. They’re a model of an ecosystem where people help each other. And they’re a never-ending source of drive, passion, and perseverance to advocate for others today. From serving as a translator for the older generation, to being a champion for safety and transparency for consumers, to shaping policy in Washington DC while shaping minds with her no-holds-barred book, Marta is the epitome of advocacy in action. As the President and CEO of Consumer Reports, Marta’s daily work involves fostering truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. Now, she shares with us the actionable principles she uses to bring those big, theoretical goals into the tangible world and positively impact the end consumer.
The David Morales story is the story of the Morales family. That resonates in no place greater than his recent autobiography, American Familia. In it, Morales digs into his Puerto Rican heritage—not only as a way to emphasize the legacy of his family’s journey to America but to also inspire others within the Latino community to tell their own stories. A devout student of all things Puerto Rico, Morales has been steadfast in his dedication to the island. He shows it through his keen interest in its musical history as well as the many ways in which he incorporates a “family first” culture into the teams he leads at Unicare. It’s that kind of culture that has resulted in personal and professional success for Morales—and he wants to see his family grow larger.
Lou Nieto grew up fascinated by strategy. A kid once destined for law school, he devoured battle maneuvers from historic wars and studied chess—a game he still believes doubles as a potent metaphor for life. Nieto’s interest in strategy translated seamlessly to his leadership roles in corporate America, in which he held high-ranking positions with Kraft, Dean, and ConAgra Foods. It was in business where he was able to fully realize his potential as a strategic thinker—someone who could not only revive a faltering company, like he did at ConAgra, but also set it up for success. Retired since 2009, he continues to advise and mentor a growing community of Latino entrepreneurs, teaching each of them that it’s their responsibility to define their own potential.
Raquel González doesn’t play witness to the changing Latino narrative, she helps author it. With a career spanning decades at Bank of America, González is not only a leading example of what can be achieved through longevity and commitment to a revered financial institution, she actively invests in Latino entrepreneurs to help give them their own clear vision of success. As market president for Bank of America Silicon Valley and the Hispanic-Latino Strategy Executive for Consumer and Small Business, González focuses on high impact work—whether that’s lending to small business owners or inspiring young talent to see the many ways Bank of America can positively affect their careers. Like so many Latinos, González is a strong believer in family and surrounding yourself with individuals who care about your achievements as much as their own. She found that kind of familia at Bank of America long ago—and today she counts herself lucky that she gets to continue to see it grow, year after year.
For Director Ángel Manuel Soto, Blue Beetle is for his younger self. As a kid growing up in Puerto Rico, Soto didn’t have the opportunity to see an Indiana Jones that looked like him—to see Latinos in heroic spaces of power on the big screen. Through Blue Beetle he set out to change that. His recent blockbuster not only highlights the truth that the Latino community is no monolith—and that it features everyday moments of superhero strength—it also shows how communities too often seen as ghettos are in fact full of rich, tight-knit relationships that span generations. Any young Angel Manuel Soto would pay the price of admission to see that story in the theater.
“Latinos don’t play hockey.” It’s a phrase that Xavier Gutierrez has heard often since becoming the first Latino to lead an NHL team. As president and CEO of the Arizona Coyotes, Gutierrez sees the massive opportunity in welcoming Latinos to the hockey rink. It’s a vision he shares with friend and team owner Alex Meruelo, the first Latino owner in the NHL. With the Coyotes expanding its presence across Arizona, it’s the perfect place for Gutierrez to be. He leads with a passion for serving the Latino community, which makes up nearly one-third of the state’s population, because he knows firsthand the impact of representation. Gutierrez approaches his mission with intentionality and authenticity, whether it’s expanding a street hockey program to reach young Latino athletes or inviting Latino college students to attend a game against the Boston Bruins. He’s doing the same thing that his parents, mentors, and peers have done for him throughout his career: opening doors for others.
The story of Siete Family Foods starts with a challenge: how to better manage an autoimmune disease through dietary transformation while staying connected to your culture. Miguel Garza watched his sister Veronica find a grain-free solution for tortillas by using almond flour, which she would then sell to family and friends in Laredo, Texas. Fresh out of law school and inspired by the entrepreneurial culture in Austin, Garza saw an opportunity to expand Veronica’s side hustle into a full-time business. Since 2015, Garza has led the family-owned company with the mission of catering to the Latino community while also preserving cultural traditions. He credits Siete’s success to the trust, love, and collaboration within the family. At the heart of the Siete mission is a core value that Garza sees as representative to the community: Juntos es mejor. Together is better.
For Orlando Bravo, the story always starts in Puerto Rico. Even today, as the billionaire founder and managing partner of private equity investment firm Thoma Bravo, he recognizes that where he came from will forever influence where he is. Bravo attributes his meteoric rise in the early 2000s—when he made a name for himself in software acquisitions—to his upbringing in Puerto Rico. His unique journey instilled in him a confidence to think differently in the Wild West of Silicon Valley and to ultimately separate himself from other tech entrepreneurs. Bravo’s incredible success has since afforded him the opportunity to give back to a community that has given him so much—and to be a role model to new generations of Puerto Rican entrepreneurs who sometimes need a push to know that they can dream.
For most ten-year-olds, managing a grocery store would be daunting. For Teresa Barreira, it was a learning experience. Growing up in a small village where her parents ran three businesses, Barreira discovered what it meant to be entrepreneurial and scrappy. That background—in combination with an unflinching pride in her heritage—informs her today as a marketing and thought leader who sits as Global Chief Marketing Officer at Publicis Sapient. It also inspires her work with younger generations of Latinos who don’t see careers in marketing as viable options. Barreira knows that a diverse perspective in marketing makes the product, the solution, and the company better. She’s seen the proof her entire career—and she wants to see more of it.
Guillermo Diaz isn’t shy about emphasizing the impact of his time in the Navy. It’s not only where he developed his competence in technology but where he began to truly understand the power in building relationships—the power in fostering a sense of community. As chairman of the Hispanic IT Executive Council and former CIO of Cisco Systems, Diaz can provide plenty of proof of his brilliance in technology. What has his focus today is leveraging that expertise to connect Latinos in the greater business community. He does that as the mastermind behind the digital platform Conectado.
Camille Vasquez didn’t anticipate her fame. Raised by a Cuban mother and Colombian father who met while learning to speak English at a school in Los Angeles, Camille and her sister were given a simple directive early on: focus on your education. And so they did. According to Vasquez, that resulted in one of two options: doctor or lawyer. She chose the latter—her sister the former—and started down a path that led her to representing Johnny Depp in a highly publicized defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. It wasn’t a predictable route, but her parents had set her on a course to becoming a prominent—and now internationally recognized—Latina lawyer. Vasquez doesn’t take her newfound celebrity lightly. Her “earned luck,” as she describes it, means she not only gets to play a role model for young Latinas entering law but also gets to honor her parents’ sacrifices.
Rosanna Durruthy recently celebrated six years at LinkedIn. Over the course of her tenure as VP of Global Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging, she’s not only led countless empowerment initiatives at the social media giant—she’s had a front-row seat to the multicultural evolution of a global workforce. That’s not something she could claim 30 years ago. When Durruthy began her career, the role of chief diversity officer wasn’t a certainty. Even at the most prominent corporations, in the most widespread industries, DEI was not a priority. Durruthy never saw that as a limitation. Instead, she saw it as an opportunity—not only to carve a path for her own career, but to show others that not only were their identities valued, but their points of view mattered.
2-Part Episode: Recognizing the Latino impact on the American and global economy is nothing new for the audience of The Latino Majority podcast. According to studies by the Latino Donor Collaborative, if the Hispanic/Latino community was its own country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, ahead of the UK, India, and France. Having two finance experts on The Latino Majority allows us the opportunity to dig deeper into our effect on the economy and how we see the path forward for Latinos taking shape. Much of that path is laid out in an in-depth study that Merrill Lynch recently conducted on how the Latino community explores wealth. We’ll unpack that study a bit further with two leaders from Merrill Lynch: Jen Auerbach, Strategic Growth and Client Development Executive, and Kenneth Correa, Head of Business and Client Development.
2-Part Episode: Recognizing the Latino impact on the American and global economy is nothing new for the audience of The Latino Majority podcast. According to studies by the Latino Donor Collaborative, if the Hispanic/Latino community was its own country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world, ahead of the UK, India, and France. Having two finance experts on The Latino Majority allows us the opportunity to dig deeper into our effect on the economy and how we see the path forward for Latinos taking shape. Much of that path is laid out in an in-depth study that Merrill Lynch recently conducted on how the Latino community explores wealth. We’ll unpack that study a bit further with two leaders from Merrill Lynch: Jen Auerbach, Strategic Growth and Client Development Executive, and Kenneth Correa, Head of Business and Client Development.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States