Welcome breakfast remarks by Mary Lynn
Elizondo, Chief Human Resources Officer,
Marriott International, Inc.
the first panel of the day titled: “Corporate Latina
Executives of the Year: Celebrating Achievement.”
The panel brought together Latina executives
performing at the top of their respective companies.
Introduction was presented by Wanda Hope,
Chief Diversity Officer, Johnson & Johnson.
Moderated by Jacqueline Maestri, Vice President,
Engineering & Property Services, Johnson &
Johnson; speakers included Maria T. Lensing,
Vice President, Global Business, AT&T; Catherine
Hernandez-Blades, Aflac; Gladys Lopez,
Senior Manager, Hilton Supplier Diversity and Linda
Valdez Thompson, EVP Administration & Diversity,
Dallas Fort Worth Intl. Airport.
The second panel of the day titled “Employee
Resource Groups of the Year/Empowering the ERGs”
opened a discussion on ways ERGs develop a
connection between the company and employees
by empowering, nurturing and retaining talent.
Creating a culture of success with a systematic
approach is essential to nurture and maintain a
steady flow of diverse talent to the top.
Moderated by Robert Rodriguez, President, Dr.
Robert Rodriguez Advisors LLC, speakers included
Jamie Maldonado, Senior Manager - Strategy,
Accenture; Yovany Jerez, Strategy & Technology
Innovation, AT&T; Anila Jivanji, Senior Specialist in
Inclusion & Diversity, American Airlines; and Silvina
Salazar, Business Strategy & Support Executive
L&SS Business Controls, Bank of America.
During the third panel of the day “Investing in
Leadership & Development” industry leaders
provided the audience a look into how present-day
actions by corporations are adapting to a changing
corporate atmosphere. A positive environment
Corporate remarks by James Schenck
President and CEO, PenFed Credit Union.
The LATINA Style Corporate Executives of the Year for 2018 Honorable Mentions.
(L-R): Sandra Moore – Ford Direct, LLC; Natalia Grassis – PAREXEL; Sophia Felix -
HBM Talent Management; Graciela Racaro – PAREXEL; and Bianca Negron – The
Coaching Spot, LLC.
reflects in the higher quality of work and sustained
levels of motivation. A strong mentoring relationship
has been identified as one of the key components
of an employee’s successful development in the
workplace. Moderated by Nellie Borrero, Managing
Director – Senior Global Inclusion & Diversity Lead,
Accenture, speakers included Diana Morales, Vice
President, Legal, Fire & Security Products, United
Technologies Corporation; Celeste Carrasco,
Director - Federal Public Affairs - Corporate External
Affairs, AT&T, and Nathalie Caillon Rytting, Director of
Human Resources, Hyatt Regency Washington.
Impacting the company and community,
change agents are the bridge to the C-suite and
continued success. The last panel of the day “Agents
of Change” moderated by Jon Muñoz, Vice
President, Global Diversity & Inclusion, Hilton,
focused on ways corporate leaders engaging
in mentorships and sponsorships make careers
a great success and have a significant
impact on the retention of top talent. Speakers
included Alexandra Contreras, Certified Diversity
Professional Senior Analyst, Global Diversity &
Inclusion, Colgate – Palmolive; Carla Zanoni,
Former Editor, Audience and Analytics at The Wall
Street Journal; and Claudia Vazquez, Director of
Product Management, Prudential Financial.
Following the morning workshops, the LATINA
Style 50 Awards Luncheon Ceremony commenced
with welcoming remarks by LATINA Style, Inc. CEO
Robert Bard as he recognized and awarded
Johnson & Johnson as the company of the year for
2018.
Company of the year remarks were provided
by Jacqueline Maestri, Vice President, Engineering
& Property Services, Johnson & Johnson.
Johnson & Johnson topped the chart as the
2018 LATINA Style Company of the Year. Johnson &
Johnson believes good health is the foundation of
vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward
progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, they
have aimed to keep people well at every age and
every stage of life.
Today, as the world’s largest and most
broadly-based healthcare company, they are
committed to using their reach and size for good.
Johnson and Johnson strives to improve access and
18 www. lat inastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol . 25, No. 2, 2019
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