



At HACE, we know the Latino community can make a significant positive impact on the American workplace and society in general. That’s why we’re committed to helping professionals acquire the critical insight, access, knowledge and skills to advance in their careers, and serving as a resource and subject-matter expert for employers seeking to connect with diverse talent, providing the business community with a continuous supply of highly trained employees.
Since 1982, our mission has been to cultivate and manage a talent pipeline that can supply businesses with committed and valuable workers. HACE programs use industry best practices to teach professional and leadership principles in a multicultural context. We’ve created a safe learning environment where individuals feel understood and empowered.
Many Latino/e/x cultures encourage and embrace hard work, humility and a community-centric perspective. HACE graduates combine these cultural traits with acquired leadership and selfadvocacy skills to create a better work experience for themselves and their colleagues.
As CEO of HACE, I’m excited to share this impact report and hope you find it inspiring. I also want to thank all our participants, corporate partners, trainers, facilitators and staff for embracing our mission. Working together, we not only help advance the careers of talented individuals, but we also make a positive impact on the overall economy and culture of America.
With warm regards,
Patricia Mota President and CEO
We believe every HACE participant is an opportunity to realize tremendous return-on-investment.
• Annual National Leadership Summit & Gala: Welcomed 1,000 attendees from 186 companies, raising almost $850,000 to support HACE programming, scholarships, and operations.
• ALZA Advanced Leadership Program: Launched with sponsorship from JPMorgan Chase, this program provided neuroscience-based leadership coaching to 14 JPMC executive directors to advance their careers.
• Hombres de HACE: Introduced to develop Latino male leaders, focusing on masculine identities in Latino culture and community building.
• Cybersecurity Leadership Program with Trellix: Created a special cohort in the Emerging Latino Leader Program, offering leadership and cybersecurity training in collaboration with this global cybersecurity company.
• Program in a Box Launch with La Plaza: Partnered with La Plaza Delaware to celebrate 13 graduates from the Emerging Leaders Program. This was part of HACE’s “Program in a Box” concept, enabling local nonprofits to use HACE’s programs.
• HACE United Campaign: Ran from September to December, aiming to raise $100,000 for 40 scholarships of $2,500 each to support Latino/a/x/e students pursuing higher education
These transformative programs are made possible in part by generous donations from corporations and individuals. We believe every HACE participant is an opportunity to realize tremendous return-on-investment. It goes beyond the individual level by potentially impacting the productivity of businesses and the prosperity of communities across America. We welcome you to partner with us. Visit HACEonline.org to learn more.
101 ,000 MEMBERS STRONG
4,100 499 36
ALUMNI US cities states
16 countries
HACE has empowered many success stories, and while transformations are difficult to quantify, our statistics reflect the positive impact we make. These numbers also motivate us to grow the organization every year, to impact lives and businesses more than ever. With your participation and support, we surely will.
HACE founded in Chicago
HACE expands coast to coast
Executive Leadership Tours launched in 10 cities
64,000 HACE members
Resume bank passes 6,000 Employer network nears 100
42,000 HACE members
500,000 HACE/ McDonalds scholarships awarded Hombres de HACE launched The Career Center launched Mujeres de HACE launched ALZA Advanced Leadership Program launched
HACE celebrates 40-year anniversary Program in a Box launched
• Hombres de HACE
• Program in a Box
• Mujeres 2.0/ Elevando Mujeres de HACE
• ALZA Career Development Workshops Delivered
HACE exists to help businesses and professionals blend culture and career in order to create positive impact.
The human experience has always been diverse with countless unique life stories. Numerous societies have risen to greatness then disappeared. Since the industrial revolution of the mid-19th century, most societies have been in a state of continuous change. Today, with ever-increasing human mobility and connectivity, this change is happening even more rapidly.
We can now engage with colleagues around the world in real time. More and more businesses are becoming multinational, and in turn, multicultural. As such, it no longer makes sense for American workplaces to view diversity as unfamiliar and uncommon. Diversity is the new normal for humanity – and for business in particular. The only question is how quickly and how well America will adapt.
HACE exists to help businesses and professionals blend culture and career in order to create positive impact. We believe multicultural workplaces provide businesses with competitive advantages in areas of ideas and innovation, decision-making and the ability to serve a broader range of customers.
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), as of 2020, only 3.8% of Fortune 500 CEOs are Black, 6.6% are Hispanic, and 0.8% are Native American.
Most of us bring elements of our upbringing and heritage into the workplace. Those of Hispanic and Latin decent are likely to allow their culture and values to shape their personalities and perspectives. This can both benefit and inhibit them.
Alumna & Entrepreneur
Program Lead
Leadership Consultant
Nepantla Solutions
“I always did my job to the best of my ability at work, but being Latina in corporate America had its challenges,” explains Carmen Raquel Dominguez, a Mexican American who champions diversity marketing for AT&T. “I was taught to respect authority. The ‘work hard and keep your head down’ mentality was part of my DNA and made it hard for me to challenge authority. In retrospect, this held me back more times than I could count.” This is one example of how the positive traits of humility and hard work that so many Hispanics learn from their families can ultimately create disadvantages in the workplace.
Research conducted by the Pew Research Center suggests that Hispanics tend to prioritize family and community well-being over individual recognition, with 55% of Hispanic adults stating that their culture values being part of a tight-knit community. This emphasis on collective harmony is further supported by a study published in the Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, which found that Hispanic individuals exhibit higher levels of interdependence compared to their non-Hispanic counterparts.
In professional settings, humility plays a significant role in Hispanic work dynamics. According to a study by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Hispanic employees often demonstrate humility by showing deference to authority figures and prioritizing teamwork over individual accolades. While this cultural trait fosters collaboration and cooperation in the workplace, contributing to higher levels of team cohesion, it can create a disadvantage for Hispanic individuals.
Because HACE instructors are primarily Hispanic, they can address a spectrum of cultural perspectives and experiences, helping participants adapt and thrive in corporate environments.
On the other hand, trying to assimilate to the prevailing American cultural norms can lead to an identity crisis. “I grew up speaking English in a bi-cultural household. I always wondered, am I a real Latina? Where do I fit in?” says Ruby Garcia, a corporate veteran with more than 25 years of experience. “A lot of people in our community face this cultural dilemma, and it can make it difficult to decide what aspects of ourselves we promote at work. I had been a professional for 15 years, and I didn’t know how to navigate the corporate system, find a mentor or anything about personal branding. HACE opened my eyes, gave me the necessary skills and boosted my confidence.”
Because HACE instructors are primarily Hispanic, they can address a spectrum of cultural perspectives and experiences, helping participants adapt and thrive in corporate environments. Learning business and leadership success principles through the lens of Latin culture is a more relevant, real-world approach. HACE graduates are living proof.
It’s not enough to overcome the challenges of language and bias. At HACE, you’ll learn how to navigate corporate politics and develop leadership skills that will help you get noticed and promoted.
Find your next career opportunity by visiting our online career center at jobs.HACEonline.org and search over 30,000 job openings.
TALENT:
Recruiting and retaining talented employees is fundamental to creating a successful business. This is especially true during periods of low unemployment, when turnover can quickly rise. Any time a talented employee leaves, a company’s productivity can drop, and the cost of recruitment and training a replacement compounds the economic impact.
One of the ways companies can attract top talent and reduce turnover is to create an inclusive workplace environment, where every employee feels valued and free to be their authentic selves.
HACE’s comprehensive acquisition solutions include an online career center with 30,000+ job openings, virtual career fairs connecting job seekers and recruiters twice a year, and a database of 2.5K+ resumes, searchable by state and keywords. Loyalty is a two-Way Street
That’s why HACE serves as a bridge between business and an ethnically diverse pool of talent. Our comprehensive acquisition solutions include an online career center with 30,000+ job openings, virtual career fairs connecting over 37,000 job seekers and recruiters twice a year, and a resume database searchable, by state and keywords. Additionally, our Inclusion Series highlights
One of the ways companies can attract top talent and reduce turnover is to create an inclusive workplace environment, where every employee feels valued and free to be their authentic selves.
That’s why HACE serves as a bridge between business and an ethnically diverse pool of talent.
When acts of racism hit the national headlines, businesses across America feel a need to react and take steps to improve ethnic sensitivity in their workplaces. This is also the case when high-profile lawsuits expose systemic issues within specific corporations. While we’re thankful when any steps are taken toward improving DE&I, we believe more employers and employees would benefit if proactive policies were incorporated into the structure and culture of businesses.
backgrounds and circumstances can thrive. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that Hispanics will account for 29% of the U.S. population by 2060. Businesses that make DE&I initiatives fundamental to their internal culture will be better prepared for the future.
The research is compelling. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation.
partner companies, offering insights into career opportunities and fostering connections through panel discussions, Q&A sessions and virtual networking lounges.
As a company’s workforce becomes more diverse, fewer employees feel isolated. By also implementing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives or Employee Resource Groups, underrepresented talent feel more valued and comfortable offering their unique perspectives. As Latinx and Hispanic workers experience collaboration and relationship-building within the workplace, higher levels of employee engagement and retention can be achieved. In fact, research indicates that organizations with strong workplace relationships are 50% more likely to have low employee turnover (“The Impact of Employee Engagement on Performance,” Harvard Business Review). This can improve daily productivity and morale as well as increase long-term employee loyalty and company profitability.
The research is compelling. According to a study by Deloitte, inclusive teams are 10 times more likely to be highly effective and have a 75% increase in decisionmaking quality. A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that companies with more diverse management teams have 19% higher revenue due to innovation.
Since 1982, HACE has taken a leadership role in promoting diversity throughout corporate America. By empowering the career advancement of Hispanic professionals at all stages of their careers, we help facilitate a more diverse leadership landscape across industries. We are building a professional community that transcends borders, creating a world where people from all
Since 1982, HACE has taken a leadership role in promoting diversity throughout corporate America. Businesses that make DE&I initiatives fundamental to their internal culture will be better prepared for the future.
When our culture teaches us to be humble, it can be a struggle to express our opinions in corporate settings. HACE instructors understand this and will help you develop self-advocacy skills to transform your career.
Explore our diverse program opportunities at HACEonline.org/leadership-programs and take your first step towards becoming the leader you were born to be.
Career development and leadership learning courses are pivotal for personal and professional advancement. They’re also good for business. A survey conducted by Gallup revealed that organizations with robust employee development programs report 11% greater profitability than those that don’t invest in such initiatives. Furthermore, the Harvard Business Review found that companies investing $1,500 or more per employee annually on training and development experience 24% higher profit margins than those allocating less.
HACE offers a range of leadership and professional development programs tailored to the needs of Latino professionals:
• El Futuro is a career development program for high school students.
• University Leadership offers college students access to our large network of employer partners and professional development opportunities.
• The Mujeres de HACE Women’s Leadership Program empowers Latina leaders in their early careers to advance to senior leadership roles.
• The Hombres de HACE Leadership Program addresses gender and cultural nuances impacting Latinos in the workplace to strengthen the leadership pipeline.
• The Elevando Latino Leadership Program, formerly known as the Emerging Latino Leaders Program, focuses on transforming high-potential managers and supervisors into effective leaders through an intensive Action Learning Experience.
• The Multicultural Leadership Program fosters self-awareness among professionals of color regarding cultural values and workplace challenges.
• HACE Colores Leadership Program provides a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to enhance their leadership skills authentically.
• The ALZA Advanced Latino Leadership Program prepares Latino leaders for C-suite roles.
Additionally, HACE offers professional development workshops covering leadership development, career trends, and cultural values to empower Latino professionals.
Another popular program is the HACE University Leadership, tailored to college students. “College is a critical point in someone’s life, where the skills l learned with HACE are immediately applicable” said Camila Gutierrez, a student at the University of Virginia. “For starters, I am now much more confident and capable in job interviews. HACE helped me realize my value and think more critically about career opportunities, ensuring they align with my goals.”
According to Gutierrez, “When participating in the HACE University Leadership, I felt truly connected to the speakers, because their personal stories have similarities with my story. The learning experience was more than transactional. It was relational. I was learning new skills, but in the context of a Hispanic background. That made every part of the experience more relevant, more real. And it makes a big difference in how well someone remembers what they’ve learned.”
While there are many career development programs in the United States, HACE has found that the importance of cultural relevance cannot be understated. Whether students feel they are in a safe space or experience personal connections with instructors and other members of their cohort, the HACE learning environment plays a major role in developmental outcomes.
Many Latinos were raised to be hardworking, humble and to respect the hierarchies that exist in families, workplaces and communities throughout Latin America. Speaking up and standing out are not part of many Latino cultures. This can put them at a disadvantage in corporate settings, where it is essential to be seen and heard. “I started at Accenture thinking that if I worked hard and found support from trusted mentors, I would be just fine. However, as a first-generation, low-income minority, it is difficult to feel empowered,” said Jocelyne Muñoz, a graduate of the University of Chicago. “As members of the Latinx community, we were raised to work hard together as a community, foregoing self-advocacy to ‘stay humble.’”
Jocelyne participated in the Mujeres de HACE program, where she was able to meet likeminded Latina professionals who were facing similar challenges. She was able to learn both leadership and negotiation skills that are in demand in corporate America.
Gabriel Rondon immigrated from Venezuela in 2018 when he was a teenager. He is extremely driven and was an excellent college student, pursuing eight internships. Yet that wasn’t enough for Gabriel. He felt that even though he is young, he wanted to acquire leadership skills as he entered the business world. After doing extensive online research, Gabriel chose HACE University Leadership. “I loved it, because it was very structured and organized. They were intentional about every minute of time spent, providing me with knowledge as well as practical tools. And I learned to ‘unmute myself,’ which is important for someone raised in a Latino culture.” Gabriel credits the fact that he was able to learn from highly qualified Hispanic professionals as a boost to his confidence, because “they are the same as me.” When asked why others should consider HACE, Gabriel says, “Opportunities are everywhere. It’s up to you to become equipped with the skills to take advantage of them.”
I loved HACE University Leadership, because it was very structured and organized. They were intentional about every minute of time spent, providing me with knowledge.
– GABRIEL RONDON, HACE Alumnus
100%
career preparation
100%
Acquired negotiation strategies
95% 92%
83%
Hispanics have a long entrepreneurial tradition. In fact, the Stanford Graduate School of Business found that Hispanic entrepreneurs accounted for 86% of new business growth in the US between 2007 and 2012. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic-owned businesses are growing at a rate 15 times faster than the national average, with over 4.7 million Hispanic-owned businesses accounting for over $800 billion in revenue.
Being with likeminded Latina women gave me a safe space to learn business best practices in order to grow my business strategically and efficiently.
– DR. ANDIE GONZALEZ
2023 Mujeres de HACE Entrepreneur Alumna
Dr. Andie Gonzalez is a registered dietician living in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas. She co-founded a clinic called Complete Nutrition Solutions, which provides bilingual nutrition and wellness care to the local community. While she and her colleagues are passionate about empowering healthy eating habits, Dr. Gonzalez understood that in order to grow the business, she would need to learn more entrepreneurial skills, so she participated in the Mujeres de HACE Entrepreneur program. “Being with likeminded Latina women gave me a safe space to learn business best practices in
order to grow my business strategically and efficiently. And it wasn’t a one-time experience. I continue to participate in webinars and have stayed connected with other members of my cohort.” When Latina professionals take it upon themselves to serve the needs of a growing Hispanic community, they are playing vital roles in America’s future.
Unfortunately, studies by the Small Business Administration (SBA) indicate that Hispanic entrepreneurs are less likely to have access to formal business networks and mentorship programs, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and accessing opportunities for growth and development. These challenges underscore the importance of targeted support and resources to address the unique needs of Hispanic-owned businesses in order to promote their success in the U.S. economy.
WMaydelis Gomez
2023 ELLP La Plaza
Alumna
Bilingual Outreach Coordinator
Read Aloud Delaware
hen Mary Dupont, a community activist since the 1960s, saw a growing number of Hispanic businesses in Southern Delaware, she looked for ways to provide them with support. She quickly realized the community needed people with leadership skills, but most Hispanic business owners were too busy working to explore educational options. Mary wanted to help these “doers” become leaders. That’s why she founded La Plaza Delaware, a non-profit organization that helps minority business owners develop business skills and pursue opportunity. She contacted HACE and asked for a leadership program that La Plaza could implement. Coincidentally, HACE had a “franchise model” already in development. In 2023, the program graduated its first class of business leaders.
One graduate of ELLP La Plaza program is Maydelis Gomez, a bilingual outreach coordinator for Read Aloud Delaware. “Moms in my program were seeing me as a role model. While I felt I had some leadership skills, I wanted formal training. ELLP La Plaza is designed to bring out the innate leader in each individual, because everyone is different. I learned how to manage my weaknesses to enhance my positive traits.”
Every time a corporation makes a financial investment in HACE, the ROI is manifested through people like Mary Dupont and Dr. Gonzales.
Every time a corporation makes a financial investment in HACE, the ROI is manifested through people like Mary Dupont and Dr. Gonzales. They have chosen to immerse themselves in underserved communities, educating and empowering people to succeed in business and personal well-being. They are the first dominos in chains of unlimited potential. By supporting HACE, you can help them and many others create positive change in America.
As leaders in the Hispanic and Latinx business communities, we keep abreast of emerging trends in the marketplace. We not only share our insights with corporate partners, we develop innovative solutions to meet the challenges of a changing demographic landscape. We recently developed HACE Colores: Leading with Pride as an LGBTQIA+ cohort program that helps Latino/ a/x/e individuals develop strong leadership skills while providing a safe space to expand network and support systems.
HACE will continue to evolve as new needs arise, and there are many ways you can evolve with us.
• Encourage colleagues to participate in our leadership programs.
• Sponsor an HACE cohort at your company.
• Donate to our scholarship funds.
• Or simply spread the word about the impact HACE is making in communities and corporations.
Your support will enable positive transformation for individuals and for our society.
– Alina Moran, HACE Board Chair
AARP
AbbVie
Accenture
Advanced Auto Parts
ALDI
Alight
Alliant
Allstate
American Family
Insurance
American Petroleum
Institute (API)
Amtrak
Anheuser-Busch
Applied Materials
Assurant
Astellas Pharma
AT&T
Bath & Body Works
Bank of America
Barilla
Bimbo Bakeries
BMO
Board of Latino Legislative Leaders (BLLL)
Bonneville Power
Administration
Boston University
Brighthouse Financial
Brown Forman
Capgemini
CenterPoint Energy
Change Healthcare
Chicago Bears
Chicago Community Trust
Chief
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Citi
CNA
CNH Industrial
Colgate-Palmolive
Comerica Bank
Cook County
Crestwood
CTA
Dave
Deloitte Foundation
Diageo
Discover
Dyson
EAB Global
Edelman
Empower
Enbridge
Encore
Epsilon
Equinix
Experian
FARO Associates
Federal Home Loan
Bank of Chicago
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Ferrara
Fortune Brands
Freddie Mac
GEA
Geico
General Motors
Gerber Collision & Glass
Google Fiber
GM
Grainger
Groupon
HACEMOS
HBK Engineering
Hearts & Science
Heineken
HSBC
Humboldt
Huron
Hyatt
iCapital
IDEX Corporation
Illinois Department of Children & Family
Illinois Department of Management
Services
Illinois Tool Works (ITW)
Inovalon
JLL
Johnson & Johnson
JPMorganChase
Kohl’s
MacArthur Foundation
Major League Baseball
Major League Soccer
Mastercard
McDonald’s
McKesson
Merck
Molson Coors
Morningstar, Inc.
National Express
National Football League (NFL)
NBCUniversal
Nestle Health Science
Nexcom
NielsenIQ
Northern Trust
Omnicom Group
Opnad Fund
Outfront Media
Pactiv Evergreen
PayPal
PPG
Prudential Financial
Resolution Agency
Rocket Central
Ross Stores Inc.
Salesforce
SC Johnson
Shutterstock
Siemens
Sodexo
Stericycle
Suntory Global Spirits
Swiss Re Group
The Coca-Cola Foundation
The OCC
The HUB International TIAA
Tico Productions, LLC
Tiffany & Co.
Trellix
Ulta Beauty
Under Armour
United Airlines
Unilever
Univar Solutions
University of Illinois
University of Virginia
US Foods
Verizon Wireless
Voya Financial
Walgreens
Wells Fargo
William Blair
WK Kellogg Co.
Yum! Brands
Zebra
Zillow
Zimmer Biomet
Zurn Elkay Water Solutions
Michael Alicea
Jacob Alonso
Lina J Alvarado
Mercedes Alvear
Luis Amaya
Myriea Amaya
Justin Aquino
Lizette Arias
Saranda Asanoski
Valarie Biondi
Rosalio Bueno
Morgan Butler
Paul Callejas
Jacqueline Camacho
Olga Camargo
Sarah Cartagena
Norma Castrejon
Ana Ceppi
Yahaira Corona
Raymond Lee Costello Jr
Christina Diaz-Malone
Liesl Downey
Shera Salgado Easter
Kaitlin Fionda
Lilia Arroyo Flores
Daniel Gilbert
Sylvia Gomez
Elizabeth Gonzalez
Marlene Gonzalez
Migdalia Gonzalez
Josefina Hernandez
Joseph Hill
Veronica Hoehn
Sheila D Hollins
Rafael Hurtado
Yari Jurado
Yaritza Jurado
Yahaira Kane
Leonel Leal
Emmanuel Lopez
Cesar Lostaunau Jr
Mag M
Murray A. Mann
Ada Martinell
Maria Elisa Martinez
Katherine McGinnis
David Medina
Cielo Melero
Salvador Mendoza
Alina Moran
Gilberto Moran
Silvana Montenegro
Karina Najera
Luis Nieves
Timothy Nolan
Ashley Nunez
Rebecca Orozco
Katerina Paolisso
Jorge Ruano Patron
Nancy Pellizzari
Johanna Perez
Gloria Puentes
Loreal Quevedo
Mina Rabideaux
Mario Ramirez
Guadalupe Rangel
Indira C Reinert
Mike Roca
Thaddeus Rudd
Rosann Santos
Mary Sauceda
Fred H. Siegman
Anthony Sis
Anna Strother
Tony R Tenicela
April Toy
Joel Velez
Casandra Williams
“HACE provided better content than any professional development program I had ever experienced. The leadership and personality assessment was much more specific and actionable than more widely known assessments. The deep dive into the neuroscience of leadership opened my eyes to how I can make long-term, positive changes. And my HACE experience has expanded my networking options in powerful ways.”
– JOE GARCIA , 2023 ALZA ALUMNUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JPMORGANCHASE
Support Our Mission to Build a Stronger, More Inclusive Society.
At HACE, we equip Latinos and Hispanics with valuable leadership skills, so they can make a positive impact on corporate America. Our graduates not only bring unique perspectives to the workplace, they are committed to mentoring others and serving as examples of what is possible. If you believe in our mission, we ask for your financial support. Visit haceonline.org to become a donor or partner.
HACEonline.org