“Although progress has been made over the history of our organization, there’s a tremendous amount of work to be done to help organizations and corporations achieve their diversity goals,” said Andrea Sáenz, HACE’s executive director. “In today’s competitive environment, diversity is an imperative for good business.”

In today’s competitive environment, diversity is an imperative for good business

According to a 2007 Corporate Governance Study conducted by HACR (Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility), while corporate America recognizes the importance of Latino consumers, it has, thus far, failed to provide equal access for Latinos to leadership opportunities. While Latinos represent 13 percent of the U.S. civilian labor force, only 5 percent of all managers and officers in private sector companies are Latino. Only 3 percent of board seats in the Fortune 500 are held by Latinos.

“HACE will continue to expand in reach and programs in order to achieve our goal of increasing Latino leadership across all economic sectors,” said Sáenz.

HACE celebrated its 25th anniversary on October 17 at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago by honoring 25 individuals whose careers have flourished through their involvement with the organization and who have helped further HACE’s mission by helping others achieve career success.

Among those honored were: Carlos Cardeñas, Vice President at JPMorgan Chase, who came to HACE as a student seeking a summer internship in the early 1990’s; Pedro Cevallos-Candau, Executive Vice President of Primera Engineers, who joined the HACE board in the early 1980’s and met his business partner at an HACE networking event in the late 1980’s; Yvette Peña, Account Director at Young & Rubicam, who first engaged with HACE while helping recruit Latino candidates for Sears, where she was part of the marketing and brand management team in the late 1990’s; among others. Five future leaders were also recognized at the benefit dinner as they received a $2,500 college scholarship, sponsored by ComEd/Exelon.

“We have reached an important milestone and are honored to have experienced tremendous growth over the years,” says Robert Rodriguez, chairman of the board of directors. “We are excited to see what the future will hold as we embark on new initiatives that will continue to support the career development of Latinos in the U.S.”

HACE, the leading national non-profit helping identify and develop Latino talent, offers its services in top U.S. Hispanic cities, including Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles, New York and Houston. The organization recently launched a program for high school students and their families to help them plan their path for higher education with the goal of social and economic success. In addition, HACE has implemented the “Leadership Advancement Series,” designed to give leaders of Hispanic Employee Networking Groups networking and leadership development opportunities.

Over the past 25 years, HACE’s professional network has grown to nearly 40,000 members. Corporate membership has expanded from its original base of Fortune 500 and 1000 companies to include mid-size firms, government agencies, academic institutions, and fellow non-profit organizations. More than 80 of the nation’s largest companies have partnered with HACE to support higher education, career development and leadership in diversity and inclusion practices. Through HACE’s free membership, Latino professionals and college students have access to valuable services such as exclusive job postings from leading corporations, resume distribution to select HACE partner companies, special invitations to the Latino Achiever Series events, advice on career planning and an e-newsletter with career and event information. For more information visit http://www.hace-usa.org.

About HACE:
HACE is a 25 year-old national non-profit organization whose mission is to nurture Latino professionals at all stages of their careers, from high school to college and on to the professional years. As one of the largest networks of Latino professionals in the country, HACE offers comprehensive year-round programs and services that provide training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for Hispanic professionals to connect with opportunities with top employers. For more information, please visit http://www.hace-usa.org or call 312-435-0498.

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