Virtual Job Fair - The Diversity of Latinidad

Get ready for a dynamic conversation with Patricia Mota, President & CEO of HACE, as she chats with PowerToFly's Hunter Lee Canning about building inclusive workplaces. Patricia will share her insights on how organizations can create environments that embrace diverse talent, especially Latino professionals. She’ll offer practical strategies for fostering equitable opportunities, developing leadership pipelines, and ensuring diverse employees feel valued and engaged. Plus, discover how HACE is making waves in transforming corporate cultures and empowering the next generation of leaders.

Patricia Mota (She/Her)

Patricia serves as the President & CEO for the Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE), leading strategy, fundraising & development, leadership programs, and expanding impact on a national scale. As an advocate for access and equity, Patricia strives to create a multi-generational, diverse, and inclusive support network to catapult the career growth Latinos across the country. Patricia leads with a diverse industry background, from co-founding a nonprofit, leading in community affairs for local government, marketing for corporate utilities company, to administration in higher education, to circling back to nonprofit at HACE as a Director in 2010, Sr. Director 2012, then CEO in 2015. Patricia has a strong history of serving the community, as reflected by her service on various nonprofit boards and committees, and several accolades, most recently appointed as a commissioner on the Illinois Hispanic Employment Plan Council and named Crain's Business Chicago Top 25 Most Powerful Latinos. Patricia earned a double Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University Bloomington in Spanish and Communication & Culture and a Master's in Public Affairs (MPA) in Public Management from Indiana University's School of Public & Environmental Affairs (SPEA)-Indianapolis. Patricia is also a certified leadership coach, Insights Discovery© licensed practitioner, and a proud Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow.

In "Greening Our Cities: Fighting Heat Inequities for the Latinx Community through Tree Equity," Eileen F. Lambert, a passionate 2nd generation Latinx social impact strategy consultant and community builder, will share their insights on the importance of tree equity in addressing urban heat challenges faced by the Latinx community. With a diverse background in environmental nonprofits and technology, Eileen will discuss their mission to promote nature-based climate solutions and community resilience. This engaging conversation promises to inspire action toward creating healthier, greener urban spaces for all. Eileen will be joined in conversation by PowerToFly’s Hunter Lee Canning.

Eileen F. Lambert (She/Her)

I am a 2nd gen Latinx Social Impact Strategy Consultant, Community Builder, Nature Based Climate Solutions Champion and Women in Tech Seattle Leader. I’m considered a Third Culture kid as both my parents are First Generation Latinx though I was raised mostly overseas within the military and was not raised with my Latinx extended family or community. My father is Cuban, and mother Colombian. I was born in Madrid, Spain and lived also in England and Japan before settling in Seattle with my family at the start of high school. I am a lifelong activist, most likely influenced by my global upbringing. With a PR degree, I worked in environmental non profits for several years before pivoting to a decade long career in tech in Technical Program Management while also leading a non profit Women in Tech Seattle chapter. In 2023, I left tech to pursue mission-driven work again through my Social Impact Strategy Consulting business, Peak Impact with a mission to advance, amplify and accelerate those working for the greater good. I am passionate about Nature Based Climate Solutions and in 2023, founded a Seattle Climate Tech + Impact meetup group that hosted an event on Urban Forests and the Effects of Urban Heat Islands. I am also a Naturalist in training and plan to offer Nature Based programming with a Climate Solutions focus to my local and broader community through my company, Nerdy by Nature.

With over 40 years of retail experience between them, Ikea’s Ciannie Rodriguez and Jessica Santiago Byrd share a candid conversation about their paths to leadership and what it means to embrace their space at work.

Ciannie Rodriguez (She/Her)

With 30 years of experience in IKEA retail and management, I have consistently focused on business and people growth. I strived to integrate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) into my vision and processes with my teams. Currently, as the DEI Manager, I am dedicated to embedding DEI principles deeply within the organization. In my current role, I lead initiatives to foster an inclusive workplace culture, ensuring that all employees feel valued and respected. I collaborate with various departments to develop and implement DEI strategies, policies, and training programs. I also monitor progress and measure the impact of DEI efforts, using data-driven insights to drive continuous improvement. At IKEA our work involves advocating for equitable practices in hiring, promotion, and employee development, as well as creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. Together we aim to create a more diverse and inclusive environment that supports the growth and success of both the business and its people.

Jessica Santiago Byrd (She/Her)

Jessica Santiago Byrd is the Multicultural Marketing Manager for IKEA US, where she leads the company's multicultural strategy. With almost two decades of experience working with Fortune 100 companies in strategic marketing roles, Jessica brings expertise in fostering cultural connections and driving growth. She spearheaded the launch of the IKEA US Spanish-language website and has successfully launched national marketing campaigns in-language, focusing on creating an omnichannel experience for Spanish-speaking consumers in the US, shaping IKEA’s approach to inclusivity and multicultural engagement.

Ready to turn your local skills into global success? Join PowerToFly’s Macarena Balague as she dives into how Latinx professionals from Latin America (and beyond) can transform their experiences into international opportunities. Joined by moderator Hunter Lee Canning, Maca will explore how to make the leap from local organizations to global companies, with a special focus on mastering communication and gaining confidence in a second language. Wondering how to improve your English, what fluency level is expected, or how to stand out in cross-cultural settings? We’ve got you covered! Don’t miss out on this fun, insightful conversation that will help you shine on the global stage.

Macarena Balagué (She/Her)

Macarena Balagué is an HR Manager with 6 years of experience in full-cycle recruitment and global talent management. At PowerToFly, she leads the internal HR team and strategy, with a focus on improving DEIB practices and the employee/candidate experience. Macarena has a strong track record of hiring diverse candidates from different cultural backgrounds and locations and is committed to creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces.