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As the child of Dominican immigrants, Hispanic Heritage Month holds a special place in my heart. It’s a time to celebrate our rich cultural heritage, reflect on our achievements, and embrace opportunities that lie ahead. Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, allows us to recognize the contributions and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx individuals throughout history.

On September 21, I attended Changing the Narrative: Hispanic Leadership in Corporate America, an event sponsored by Centene’s multicultural EIG MOSAIC and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Office. Centene, the parent company of Fidelis Care, is dedicated to DEI across the workplace and the world.

The presentation underscored the importance of Hispanic leadership for me in many ways. The panel featured author and founder of the Institute of Leadership and Culture, Ana Larrea-Albert, as well as Centene leaders Monica Coury and Rosa Calva-Songco. The three shared stories of their journey to leadership and the important influence that their culture and background had on their success.

The panel was a valuable opportunity for me to learn, connect, and engage with like-minded people to emphasize the importance of embracing diversity and a global cultural fluency. Here are a few of my significant takeaways from the event:

• Representation Matters: Seeing successful Hispanic leaders in corporate America who share similar cultural backgrounds and heritage can be incredibly empowering. It serves as a reminder that we, too, can aspire to achieve leadership roles in the corporate world. Representation not only instills a belief that glass ceilings can be shattered but also a confidence that diversity is a fundamental factor in advancing corporate goals.
• Embracing Diversity and Breaking Stereotypes: There is power in diversity of thought. This month gives us a moment to have thoughtful reflections on how we contribute and incorporate different perspectives. This panel reinforced my belief in taking ownership in one’s position, regardless of the role, to confidently display talent as it adds significant value to the teams and organizations you work with. This can help to challenge misconceptions about our community and highlight our diverse talents and capabilities.
• Advocacy and Empowerment: Attending such events strengthens our commitment to advocating for our community’s rights. Every step we take to engage in courageous conversations encourages others to take part in the greater dialogue of diversity, equity, and inclusion and allows us to continue expanding our reach to include other historically marginalized communities both within and beyond the corporate world.

It is a privilege to work for an organization that celebrates Hispanic heritage and honors the meaningful contributions of our diverse workforce. It reminds me that we have a unique perspective and a valuable contribution to help shape the future of our workforce and communities we serve. Part of how we change the dialogue is getting involved! I highly encourage my peers to join an Employee Inclusion Group (EIG) for resources and to learn more on how you can continue to be part of the discussion on leading a healthier and more representative future for all.

Janette Vargas serves as a Manager in the Value Based Payment Initiatives Department at Fidelis Care. She leads a team supporting contracted value-based payment partners’ focus on identifying data-driven strategies aimed at lowering unnecessary medical costs and maintaining high-quality care. Vargas is also an active member of Fidelis Care’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Albany and is currently pursuing an MBA at Fordham University.