Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is a time to honor the history, culture, and civic contributions of Americans with heritage from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. This year Vanguard celebrates HHM in conjunction with the ten-year anniversary of our Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advocacy (HOLA) crew resource group. Our theme for this year’s celebration is: The Journey: Pasado, Presente y Futuro. Hear from crew member Angelica R. as she reflects on Hispanic Heritage Month and her journey to Vanguard.

Vanguard: What does Hispanic Heritage month mean to you and how has your heritage shaped who you are today?

Angelica: To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means to advocate, celebrate, and educate. Hispanic Heritage Month gives me the opportunity to advocate for my community and showcase what we can do. It is also a time to celebrate who we are. There are so many different cultures that fall under this umbrella term “Hispanic.” During this time, we can come together to celebrate the beauty of our cultures and how truly diverse we are. It is also an opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve overcome and accomplished throughout history. Lastly, it is about educating. We have the opportunity to educate others on the many different traditions that exist within the Hispanic culture. It is also a time to educate the community on the challenges we still face and how we can come together to overcome those challenges.

What are some of the things you love most about your Hispanic heritage? Or what are you most proud of regarding your Hispanic Heritage.

I always tell people; I have the best of three worlds. I am half Puerto Rican and half Mexican, yet I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Three very distinct cultures with different food, music, and even languages. I grew up speaking Spanish and English. My Saturday mornings consisted of cleaning with my mom while listening to music that ranged from Luis Miguel, salsa, merengue to even Prince. All three cultures have shaped me into the person I am today. My parents came to the United States looking for a better life. They struggled, persevered, and ultimately provided me with me a better life. There is a reason I am proud to say I am a Latina because it reminds me of all the struggles, challenges, and adversities that the people before me experienced but most importantly it reminds me of the resiliency. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the sacrifices my family made.

What impact has your heritage had on you and your journey to Vanguard?

My roots and my identity are huge part of who I am and have played a pivotal role in my success. I was raised by hard-working parents, who made sacrifices so that I can have the best education. Because of these sacrifices, I was able to excel at Arizona State University and graduate with a Business Management degree. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to either work for a non-profit or work in corporate America. When I joined Vanguard, I knew little to nothing about finance and struggled a bit to understand the processes needed to do my job. Because of my family’s resiliency, I accepted this challenge head on and continued to push myself to learn. In 5 years, I have held several client servicing roles, served as a supervisor, and helped with strategic work and execution as a project manager. Although I was one of the few Latinas in my department, it didn’t matter to me. I made sure to embrace that and I hope I have been able to open doors for others who are trying to find a career in finance.

Tell us about your involvement in HOLA and how it has impacted your experience at Vanguard.

My Vanguard story starts with HOLA. I was encouraged to apply to Vanguard after meeting with a member of HOLA during a career fair at Arizona State University. I came to Vanguard because of HOLA. I wanted to work at a company that valued my voice, talent, and background. The moment I was hired and onboarded, I signed up for HOLA. Since 2019, I have been a part of the Arizona-based HOLA leadership team, HOLA onboarding team, and have helped plan various events for Hispanic Heritage Month. Through these roles, I have had the opportunity to onboard new HOLA members, engage with crew and strengthen my leadership skills. HOLA is my home away from home and I have a second familia here that supports and cares for me.

What advice (personal or professional) would you give to other Latinx professionals?

In college, I had a friend who lived by the following: Advocate, Celebrate and Educate. I have continued to live by these three words, and they have honestly helped guide me through my career.

1. Advocate for yourself and for others. Whatever you choose to do, remember you deserve to be in that space and your voice matters.
2. Celebrate your wins! Even if it is a small win, take the time to reflect on it and enjoy that moment. .
3. Educate yourself and learn. If you don’t know the answer, that is okay! The best thing you can do is ask for help. The best way to learn is to fail. I know that can be scary, but I have learned more about myself by giving myself grace when it came to making mistakes..

– Angelica R.