Sponsored by JPMorganChase
Comprising over 19% of the U.S. population, 5 million businesses and $3.2 trillion of the national GDP, Hispanics and Latinos are a major contributors of the nation’s economic growth. To celebrate their positive contributions and growing impact, we sat down with Silvana Montenegro, Global Head of Advancing Hispanics & Latinos at JPMorganChase, to discuss what’s top of mind during Hispanic Heritage Month, the work of Advancing Hispanics & Latinos and top advice for aspiring professionals.
During this Hispanic Heritage Month, what is something top of mind for you and how is that impacting the work you’re doing at JPMorganChase?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements and acknowledge the challenges we have overcome as a community, providing a more holistic view of who we are as a community. Hispanics and Latinos are a powerful socioeconomic force within our global society, rich in cultural traditions, historical contributions, and economic impact. The data tells a powerful story: our community represents nearly 1 in every 4 businesses; 20% of the nation’s population and one of the youngest demographics in the country. We are talking about an important business opportunity, while acknowledging the headwinds this community has and continues to face. This is why we are dedicated to helping employees, students, entrepreneurs, and communities have equal opportunities to grow and succeed. Our contributions across all industries deserve year-round recognition, and we are committed to equipping more Hispanics and Latinos with the tools and pathways to continue to lead and contribute to our overall economic growth. Last but not least, while this month is about celebrating Hispanics and Latinos, let’s not forget that we need to lift-up all communities. When we learn about each other and connect through similarities and differences, we all benefit.
Can you tell us more about Advancing Hispanics & Latinos at JPMorganChase and what your goals are for the year?
Advancing Hispanics & Latinos is focused on extending opportunities to Hispanics and Latinos both inside and outside the firm. In collaboration with internal stakeholders and external partners, our work is designed to create meaningful programming and initiatives to promote the success of our communities and help create a stronger economic foundation for all. For example, this year we welcomed the third cohort of college sophomore students to be part of the Advancing Black Pathways and Advancing Hispanics & Latinos Fellowship Program – a five-week, paid, full-time fellowship program that provides students with hands-on experience in the financial industry and helps build a pathway to future opportunities. Additionally, through our partnership with the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN), we are offering entrepreneurs with unique programming, including workshops and resources to help them scale their businesses. This includes our support of LBAN’s first Startup Accelerator program, designed to help 40 Latino-majority-owned founders with education, tools, and resources essential for scaling. While Latino-owned businesses are on the rise, less than 2% of venture capital funds are invested in Latino founders.
What are your top 3 pieces of advice for aspiring professionals?
Our success largely hinges on our ability to remain curious, adaptable, and authentic. In a professional landscape that is constantly evolving, staying updated with the latest trends, and continuously investing in learning is crucial across all fields. Embracing new situations, different cultures and backgrounds, as well as welcoming challenges with an open mind are critical attributes of leadership. They demonstrate resilience and the ability to transform challenges into opportunities. Moreover, staying true to yourself—your values and background—is essential for authentic engagement. When you are genuine, you can invest more time and energy into your work, rather than expending effort trying to conform to external expectations. Authenticity not only aligns directly to high performance, it enhances your personal fulfillment and fosters trust and respect from others.
How is JPMorganChase celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month this year?
We are proud to celebrate the significant and growing contributions of Hispanics and Latinos throughout the year. We are hosting a series of events to honor the month, including sessions that support career development and volunteer opportunities for our employees to engage with both local and global communities. Additionally, we will be sharing inspiring stories of Hispanic and Latino executives, customers, clients, and community leaders who are making meaningful impact across the globe. I look forward to celebrating this month with all and continuing our efforts to honor our collective impact all year round.
For information about JPMorganChase’s Advancing Hispanics & Latinos initiatives, visit jpmorganchase.com/AHL.
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