Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated in the United States since 1968, honors Latino communities' vibrant culture and traditions nationwide. Beginning on September 15 and ending today, October 15, annually, this month-long celebration coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Central and South American countries, highlighting the rich historical tapestry that has shaped the journey toward freedom for many in Latin America.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity to reflect and honor the cultural heritage of the Hispanic community. At Skyward Specialty, we believe diversity of thought and backgrounds are essential to our success as an organization and what truly sets us apart as an employer of choice.
In today’s blog, we'll explore how companies can further advocate for employees and honor their heritage. Authors Brenda Castro and Jose Aguilar, co-chairs of Skyward Specialty’s Ethnically Diverse Group of Employees (EDGE) employee resource group, will share insights into their group’s initiatives and why honoring Hispanic Heritage Month means so much to them.
Tell us about EDGE's mission.
EDGE is one of Skyward Specialty’s employee-founded and led ERGs dedicated to promoting diversity and cultural awareness while providing support and creating a sense of community so that employees of every background, culture and ethnicity feel respected and empowered in the workplace. Through education, employee-led community outreach and open dialogue, we strive to create a thriving, diverse environment where everyone can contribute to our team's success.
How and why did you first get involved with EDGE?
We've both been part of EDGE from the very beginning, and our journey with this group is fueled by a personal commitment to encouraging cultural awareness and advancing equity in the workplace. This isn't just a role for us—it's a passion and a mission. We believe in the power of celebrating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the impact it can have on an organization.
Through our efforts and the collective dedication of EDGE members, we hope to create an environment where everyone, no matter their ethnic background, feels valued and respected. It's a promise to do our part in making our Company a place where every voice is heard.
What Is EDGE doing to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time for EDGE and Skyward Specialty as we proudly celebrate rich and diverse Hispanic cultures. From sharing personal stories and backgrounds to enjoying fun events sponsored by EDGE, we've built a community and culture that embraces this annual celebration.
This year, we organized in-office lunches at our Houston, Kennesaw and Richmond locations. These events were an excellent opportunity for us to come together, share delicious meals, and learn more about each other's unique heritage. Additionally, we partnered with the Skyward Foundation to raise funds benefitting the Hispanic Heritage Foundation.
How do you envision the role of EDGE evolving in the future, especially in terms of supporting Hispanic employees and enhancing cultural awareness?
Looking ahead, we see EDGE promoting sustained cultural awareness and creating support systems for our Hispanic employees. As EDGE continues to grow, we want to embed practices and policies into our organization that keep inclusion at the heart of what we do and who we are as an organization. Together, we can honor the different cultures that make us who we are.
"My Mexican heritage deeply influences my values, work ethic, and perspective. My cultural background has instilled in me a strong sense of community, resilience, and a commitment to excellence." - Brenda Castro
Why is it important for more companies, especially in the insurance industry, to embrace diversity and inclusion, especially when there is increased external pressure for corporations and organizations to abandon their focus on these topics?
Employees value working for organizations that recognize DEI's significance and its role in a company's success. In fact, recent research shows that companies with above-average diversity metrics are more innovative overall than those without strong DEI methodologies.1 We believe a focus on creating an inclusive environment helps companies attract and retain top talent and increase engagement and productivity. From our perspective, DEI isn't just about social responsibility; it directly impacts improvement, competitiveness and long-term success. We believe disregarding these principles, especially in times of external pressure, can lead to losing trust, relevance and even business opportunities.
There are many reasons why embracing different cultures is essential to the workplace, but we'll focus on two main points.
- From an interpersonal standpoint, employees excel in environments where they feel acknowledged and appreciated. Increased employee engagement and morale naturally result in higher retention rates.
- From a financial viewpoint, it just makes sense. Valuing different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures lays the foundation for businesses to reap the benefits of new and different perspectives that lead to advancement. According to the Harvard Business Review, often an organization’s ability to innovate and improve is limited “unless all employees are full participants in the enterprise; fully seen, heard, developed, engaged – and rewarded accordingly.1"
How can the insurance industry become better allies and better support our Hispanic team members?
Prioritizing inclusivity, professional growth, and cultural understanding to better support Hispanic team members and be influential allies empowers employees.
- Support ERGs: Create a supportive network for employees from diverse backgrounds and empower them to share experiences, resources, and support.
- Leadership Training Programs: When companies invest in leadership training programs that teach leaders how to explicitly embrace diversity as a valuable asset, address unconscious biases, promote cultural competency and develop strategies to build inclusive teams, they demonstrate to the organization the importance of an inclusive environment and signal to its employees that they too, no matter their background or origin can have a seat at the table.
Can you share an experience where your heritage has impacted your career path and what you've seen change in the years since you entered the insurance industry?
Brenda
"I grew up in a family where resilience, perseverance and hard work were key values passed down through generations. These values played a crucial role in navigating the competitive structure of industries like insurance. Early in my career, I found myself in environments where I was one of few representing my cultural background, facing challenges like implicit biases or limited mentorship opportunities.
Over time, companies have started prioritizing diversity and creating mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and corporate commitments to inclusive hiring have made it easier for individuals from all backgrounds to rise into leadership roles."
Jose
"I was fortunate to be part of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) internship program, where I served as an intern for a federal agency. This experience enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills by interacting with various government agency liaisons. These skills were essential in navigating the insurance industry because, when I began my career 25 years ago, there were very few Hispanic individuals in higher positions. Although this has gradually improved over the last few years, we still have a lot of work to do to increase our presence in leadership positions in the industry. I truly believe ERGs like EDGE and the other professional organizations who emphasize the value of diversity are essential to ensuring we continue progressing so that our industry reflects the world around us."
We are proud to honor our Hispanic colleagues during Hispanic Heritage Month and are dedicated to paving a path to a more inclusive and equitable workforce for future generations.
- References: Levine. (2020, January). Diversity Confirmed To Boost Innovation And Financial Results.Forbes.com.
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