Sin Fronteras
Hispanic leaders frequently refer
to what they perceive as today’s
hostile climate for Hispanics in
the
country. I agree we face unique challenges,
and all is not as we would like. However, new
data and events on organizational performance
now present a great opportunity for a surge in
Hispanic advancement as organizational leaders.
As the headlines can show us, we are
becoming more aware of corporate realities
regarding harassment and diversity, while also
learning the flaws of educational admissions
practices, educational pedigrees, and the
corporate meritocracy. Many in our community
have known for decades that now dated views
on each of these subjects by the nation’s leaders
served to inhibit the progress and contributions of
Hispanics.
Recent research by MIT and McKinsey,
has proven the value of diversity to performance
in organizations. Companies with diverse
workforces are 35 percent more likely to
outperform their industry average. Elsewhere,
various high school and college admissions
lawsuits and scandals have resulted in a rethink
of the value of educational pedigrees and the
professional meritocracy.
In the decades since Prospanica (formerly
the National Society of Hispanic MBAs) was
founded, the organization and Hispanics have
realized great progress. As measured by
membership, Prospanica has 25,000 members
when 1000 once seemed like a stretch goal. The
Hispanic high school graduation rate has jumped
from 58 to 78 percent.
During those years, Prospanica created
arguably the most powerful national Hispanic
networks, provided professional development
for over 10,000 Hispanic professionals and
scholarships for thousands of Hispanic students.
Today, our chapters are stronger than they
have been in over a decade and led by a more
gender-diverse leadership. By year’s end, about
200 will have earned a professional development
certificate via our partnership with the University
of Dallas and the University of Denver.
Prospanica has both broadened the
community it serves and deepened its impact
by growing its scholarship opportunities and
providing industry-leading professional
development. We can still make progress on all
fronts. We believe we can further broaden and
deepen our impact with continuous innovation
and key partnerships with the organizations who
identify the same opportunities and have the
same convictions.
The theme of our upcoming conference,
October 30 through November 1, in Orlando, is
“Sin Fronteras.” How appropriate that some of
our last constraints are being shed, as now is the
time for our progress to surge! LS
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questions on this article? Email us at
info@latinastyle.com
By Thomas Savino, CEO, Prospanica
d
His View
Thomas Savino is the CEO
of Prospanica, a nonprofit
dedicated to developing
Hispanic talent and growing
the number of Hispanic
professionals represented in
industries of America to
perpetuate economic growth
and corporate competitiveness.
As an expert consultant
specializing in performance
measurement analysis,
knowledge management, and
organizational structure, he has
collaborated with corporations
and national boards throughout
the country.
46 www.latinastyle.com LATINAStyle Vol. 25, No. 3, 2019
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