The Citrix Latino Professionals Network (LPN) is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which goes from September 15 to October 15. As we look at the achievements and contributions of Hispanics and Latino Americans, we recognize the rich diversity and wide array of identities and experiences and cultures that make up our community.
Citrix values the cultural diversity and traditions of Hispanics and Latinos and has created an open environment for employees to talk about their experiences and perspectives. We recently connected with Hector Lima, Executive Vice President, Chief Customer Officer and LPN Executive Sponsor; Juan Jimenez, Chief Operating Officer, Americas; Toccarra Felitz, Business Analyst, Partner Solutions; and Valeria Escobar, Cloud Business Operations Manager, to talk about their Latino heritage and sense of belonging at Citrix.
How has your Latino heritage influenced your career path and growth at Citrix?
Hector Lima: Without a doubt it has influenced my work ethic. The long hours, focus, and passion I put into my work, since high school, has a clear connection to my Latino heritage. Seeing my relatives become entrepreneurs, and work tirelessly, shaped the way I approach my career. Also, my heritage has instilled a healthy bit of paranoia that I use to drive myself every day. Understanding my family’s journey to the U.S., I carry a sense of urgency that everything can be taken away at any moment. You have to constantly improve and deliver; it’s part of continually reinventing and reestablishing yourself.
How can leaders support and empower Latino professionals?
Hector Lima: Ultimately, everyone wants to be treated fairly and provided equal opportunity. At work, it is critical leaders open these doors to opportunity for everyone and give your employees the platform to succeed. One example within our teams is we constantly share open leadership roles with the entire team regardless of function or location. It gives employees visibility and aspiration to grab these roles they might not have thought about prior. I also mentor quite a few people in and around Citrix. It gives me the opportunity to guide and advise them on their career.
Why is it important for a company to have a group like the LPN employee resource group?
Juan Jimenez: Because we share a lot of the same experiences and challenges, and, as a community, we can help each other in our journey.
Toccarra Felitz: A diverse company is an innovative company. In my career journey, I’ve witnessed the consequences of when there is little support for diversity in the workplace. The lack of diversity and support inadvertently communicated that the company did not welcome the advancement of people of color and those who spoke English as a second language. As a result, many brilliant voices remained silent, and a lot of those who shared their gifts and talents felt unseen and undervalued. This experience is commonly felt among minorities. The LPN stimulates respect and rapport and facilitates authentic learning and contributions. Moreover, it fosters a safe space for every voice to be heard.
Valeria Escobar: The LPN has made me feel a part of something bigger, has helped me unite with those I share a common culture with, has allowed me to unwind from my day-to-day activities, and network with those in other departments who I wouldn’t normally interact with if it wasn’t for this group. The ability to have a group like this shows us that Citrix cares for us to connect with others beyond our role.
How has Citrix supported you?
Juan Jimenez: Citrix has given me very interesting (difficult 😉) challenges, with all the necessary tools, making my professional journey very fulfilling.
Toccarra Felitz: Citrix has supported my personal and professional growth by hiring great people. Entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” And the average person spends one-third of their life at work. Fortunately, Citrix attracts creative thinkers who are innovative and solution-oriented. I respect and admire my co-workers, and I’ve seen myself grow and become a better person as a result of working with them.
Valeria Escobar: Citrix has allowed me to branch out into different areas of interest and learn from others. My managers have always been supportive of any changes and truly want the best for me. Citrix is supportive in how it is open to growth and opportunities for employees, and that’s one of the many great things this company offers.
Why do you feel like you belong at Citrix?
Juan Jimenez: It’s a place where I can be myself, bringing my own personal experiences, culture, and perspectives, always recognizing the importance of combining people from different backgrounds to make Citrix a more complete and powerful company.
Toccarra Felitz: During the onboarding stage, it was the little things that gave me a sense of belonging. On the first day of orientation, I remember the HR person speaking among the crowd of new hires and saying, “You belong here.” This was relevant to me because I was still pinching myself, trying to believe that I had a position at a highly coveted, “hard-to-get-into” company. Later they handed out stickers mirroring the same message. I placed one of them on my laptop and repeated the affirmation — “I belong here.” These three words are so simple yet profound. They helped me get past my doubts and relax into the truth — I belong at Citrix.
Valeria Escobar: I think belonging is something Citrix takes pride in, within the company itself and in the many different ERGs available like the LPN. I feel like I belong at Citrix because of the way others make me feel. My opinion, my skills, and my work matter to others and give me a sense of satisfaction and belonging. I am one out of thousands of people in the company, but I feel like I belong and am wanted at Citrix.
Employee Resource Groups at Citrix
Our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are self-organized, company-sponsored groups, focused on cultivating a sense of belonging and inclusion at Citrix. Each group supports an underrepresented group of employees to build community for members, educate allies, and attract and retain diverse talent. Learn more about our ERGs and diversity and inclusion at Citrix.