Just because Hispanic Heritage Month has come to a close doesn’t mean employers should end efforts to support Latinx employees. Robust representation, a strong sense of community, seamless inclusion and equal pay regardless of identity may be what each organization needs to attain these diversity, equity and inclusion Infinity Stones — but every company will do so differently.
Thankfully, no HR person has to shoulder the responsibility alone. Along with podcasts, social media accounts, articles and publications, HR pros can look to DEI consultants for help. Long after October 15, Latinx advocates can get companies up to speed on the communities’ wide-ranging but distinct challenges, and create ways to show up for their Latinx workforce. The following list is not exhaustive, but it may serve as a starting point for employers looking to improve their DEI work.
Michelle Seijas (she/her/ella), coach and speaker
Best known for: Being a self-described "thriving Chingona"
The pitch: The Latina coach says she is motivated by her intuition, "intentionally turning inward and bringing dreams to reality." Throughout her career, Seijas has provided executive coaching for leaders of color and has also created workshops on anti-racism, leadership development, social change and equity.
How to contact: Reach out to Seijas on her website.
Rosann Santos (she/her/hers), cultural competency facilitator
Best known for: Her wide-ranging DEI training
The pitch: Santos draws from her experiences in higher education, professional training and Latin American and Caribbean history. Clients include the Southeastern Latinx Student Leadership Conference, NYU Student Link, CUNY, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and National Geographic.
A specialty of hers is evaluating systems to remove bias and encourage equitable leadership. Her trainings can run the gamut from recruiting Latinx talent (diversifying candidate pools, establishing objective qualifications criteria, hiring outside social networks) to retaining Latinx employees (mindful assignments for marginalized folks, increasing manager access to all, clarifying promotion criteria and the like).
How to contact: Fill out the contact form on Santos’ DEI training page.
Amplify Latinx, a non-profit founded by The Latina Circle
Best known for: Amplifying Latinx voices by championing civic engagement, economic opportunity and leadership representation
The pitch: Not only does Amplify Latinx offer leadership development for Latinx talent, but it is also developing a Talent Advisory Panel. The committee’s goal is to "identify Latino talent, source key leadership jobs and opportunities," along with making recommendations and referrals to support the placement of Latino professionals in top decision-making roles.
How to contact: Sign up for more information here.
Ana Cecilia Pérez (she/her/hers), an organizational change consultant
Best known for: Founding and being the director of the Latinx Racial Equity Project, which hosts intersectional workshops such as "Checking Our Privilege" and "Challenging Anti-Blackness"
The pitch: Along with heading the Latinx Racial Equity Project, Pérez runs Roadmap Consulting. Pérez’s areas of specialty include crisis management, strategic planning, "challenging oppression dynamics," and increasing equity.
How to contact: Reach out to RoadMap’s client engagement and operations coordinator here.
Nathalie Molina Niño (she/her/hers), author, serial tech entrepreneur and "builder capitalist"
Best known for: Writing Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs
The pitch: A self-described builder capitalist, Molina Niño is the managing director of Known Holdings. Named one People Magazine’s 2019 most powerful Latinas, she serves on numerous entrepreneurship boards, including that of women of color advocacy fund WOCstar Fund. Recently, she spoke at a summit for MIT’s Sloan School of Management about "how vital it is to get corporate DEI actions right, and what it means to truly future-proof corporate America."
How to contact: Fill out a speaking request on Molina Niño’s site.
Astrid Ferguson (she/her/hers), professional coach, author and podcaster
Best known for: Working with End Rape on Campus and highlighting the distinct challenges Latinx sexual assault survivors face
The pitch: To use her own words, Ferguson specializes in "helping people navigate through unclear transitions by abolishing internal blocks." She offers group and department coaching on communication and amplifying leadership skills, with particular focus on core value evaluations and accountability measures.
How to contact: Reach out via Ferguson’s coaching page.
