This Hispanic Heritage Month we are spotlighting the Hispanic and Latine people shaping the tech world.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15, and it celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The celebration started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was extended to 30 days in 1988.
It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
President Biden stated, “I have often said that America can be defined in one word: possibilities. The Hispanic community has always embodied that ideal.”
“Latinos have helped chart America’s course since our start — as doctors and engineers; artists and entrepreneurs; and leaders in science, business, labor, government, and military and across grassroots movements.”
Hispanic And Latine People In Tech
Hispanic and Latine people comprise one-fifth (19%) of the US workforce but account for 8% of people working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Data from Built In also revealed that between 2007 and 2020, Latina and Hispanic women made up only 2% of computing-related jobs.
Given the underrepresentation of Latine professionals in tech and the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, here is a roundup of some Latine people making a difference across the industry.
Lili Gangas – Chief Technology Community Officer at the Kapor Center
Gangas, a Bolivian immigrant with an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business, believes in fostering inclusive tech ecosystems for all.
Gangas is the CTO at the Kapor Center, an operating foundation at the intersection of technology and racial justice, providing research, programs and investments to increase diversity.
She also co-leads the Kapor Center’s Equitable Tech Policy Initiative, focusing on inclusive technology policy with a particular interest in closing digital divides.
Gangas has been recognized as Latino Leader’s 100 Most Influential Latinas, SF Business Times 40 Under 40 and is also the co-founder of LTXConnect.
LTXCOnnect is a platform elevating rising Latinx/e voices at the intersection of culture, innovation, inclusion, and opportunity through partnerships, programs and technology.
Olga Camargo, Juan Carlos Avila & Patricia Mota – Founders of SHENIX
Chicago-based Olga Camargo, Juan Carlos Avila and Patricia Mota created a web-based app that provides financial education, career planning and salary negotiation resources through a digital experience.
SHEINX is an innovative fintech company built by Latinas for Latinas to close the wealth gap by providing culturally relevant financial services.
The team held a launch event for Latinas at the beginning of this year.
In a press statement, Camargo said, “Latinas who attended this event stated it was unique because the information provided was not readily available elsewhere.”
“They also felt that SHEINX embraced the Latina’s cultural mindset, giving them a sense of belonging and empowerment.”
Sergio Claudio – Advisor & Head of Mentorship at ONE School
Claudio has over 20 years of experience building global design, marketing and web technology for organizations, tech companies and startups.
He is the advisor and head of mentorship at ONE School, launched in the US in 2020 as a free alternative to ad schools to provide new career opportunities for Black creatives.
It aims to make agency and brand creative departments more diverse.
Before his role at ONE School, he worked as the Vice president of Zuora.
He spent almost four years at Marketo, an Adobe company, as Global Head of Brand, Creative and Web Experience before moving to Sr Director at Adobe.
Mariza Hardin – Co-Founder and COO of Zocalo Health
Hardin was born and raised in New Mexico and later moved to Washington, DC, for graduate school.
She found herself moving to the West Coast to explore career opportunities in digital health with a focus on solutions for vulnerable populations.
She worked for the US Health and Human Service Department and, most recently, Amazon before Zocolo Health.
In 2021, she co-founded Zocalo Health with Erik Cardenas, a virtual healthcare startup that serves Latine patients in California and Texas.
It aims to connect with a historically hard-to-reach community due to barriers such as language, culture and accessibility.
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