Employees Host Events to Celebrate Hispanic Culture and Honor Winners of the 30/30 Awards

Oct 14, 2022 9:30 AM ET
Campaign: Employee Advocacy
Impacto logo

Originally published on Aramark.com

Employees at Aramark celebrated Hispanic history and culture from September 15 to October 15, 2022, in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM).

To lead the festivities, Aramark’s Impacto employee resource group (ERG) hosted events designed to inform, educate, and engage fellow team members across the company to help mark the month.

Founded in 2015, Impacto is one of a strong and growing network of ERGs that works to highlight the diversity of the Aramark workforce and create a more inclusive workplace that recognizes and honors all people and their contributions.

ERGs are open to employees interested in and aligned with that group.

“Our ERG members are helping us in areas of recruitment, professional development, and community outreach which are all vital to Aramark’s growth,” said Fenimore Fisher, Aramark Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “The Impacto team put together an amazing calendar of events to showcase Latino and Hispanic culture, as well as the employees who are making a difference through servant leadership.”

“Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions made by descendants of people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and our allies,” said Impacto ERG Co-Chair Carlos Ramos. “We as a company and nation draw strength from our diversity and we’re so happy about the special events our ERG put together to mark the occasion.”

Calendar of Events

Latin Dance Lessons
A dance instructor emphasized the importance of music and dance in Latin culture with salsa, merengue, and bachata lessons for participants virtually and in person at Aramark headquarters September 21, September 28, and October 12.

A Conversation with Chef Grace Ramirez
Chef, author, humanitarian, and TV personality Grace Ramirez brought her Latin American heritage and charisma to inspire would-be chefs and foodies. In this webinar September 22, Chef Grace talked about her story and journey as a Latina chef.

Learn more about Aramark’s partnership with Chef Grace Ramirez.

The Latino Cultural Script with Dr. Robert Rodriguez
President of DRR Advisors LLC, a boutique diversity consulting firm specializing in Latino initiatives, Dr. Robert Rodriguez advises on employee resource groups and developing a diversity and inclusion strategy.

In this webinar October 5, Dr. Rodriguez outlined behavioral tendencies by Latino professionals and explored how a cultural script impacts leadership style.

Annual Reception and HHM 30/30 Awards
During this closing event October 13th attended by Aramark partner organization Congresos de Latinos Unidos, Aramark honored winners of the annual HHM 30/30 Awards for their commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment that encourages engagement and creates memorable customer experiences. This year’s HHM 30/30 award winners were as follows:

  1. Alexander Mendez, Healthcare+
  2. Alvaro Garcia De La Pastora, International – Chile
  3. Betty Rodriguez, Corporate/Avendra
  4. Carlos Rodriguez, Collegiate Hospitality
  5. Cristian Aranguiz Paulsen, International – Chile
  6. Enri Portillo, Facilities
  7. Fabiola Sanguinetti, International – Chile
  8. Francisco Badillo, Sports + Entertainment
  9. Francisco Palma Negrete, International – Chile
  10. Frank Nevarez, Collegiate Hospitality
  11. Gabriel Centeno, Healthcare+
  12. Gilbert (Michael) Gomez, Facilities
  13. Hugo E. Brito Montilla, Collegiate Hospitality
  14. Lucia G. Farr, Student Nutrition
  15. Maggie Garcia-Nook, Destinations
  16. Maria Jimenez, Workplace Hospitality
  17. Mecilia Heleno, Sports + Entertainment
  18. Mercedes Rodriguez, Corporate/Avendra
  19. Nairobi Contreras, Workplace Hospitality
  20. Patricia Hidalgo Gil, International – Chile
  21. Patricio Iriarte, International – Chile
  22. Rachael Sparks, Corporate/Avendra
  23. Rachel Tejeda, Destinations
  24. Raul Mendez, Corporate/Avendra
  25. Rusbel Angulo, Sports + Entertainment
  26. Samantha Garcia, Collegiate Hospitality
  27. Sergio Nunez, Healthcare+
  28. Taylor Cavazos, Collegiate Hospitality
  29. Viviana Ortiz, International – Argentina
  30. Wesley Flack, Healthcare+

Impacto Executive Award
Additionally this year, the ERG recognized Chef Walter Perez from Aramark Sports + Entertainment with the Impacto Executive Award. This award recognizes one employee for having made significant contributions to and/or impactful achievements for the Hispanic community in the US.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Find out more about Aramark ERGs and the company’s commitment to celebrating a workforce that reflects the communities it serves and to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion among Aramark employees, clients, customers, suppliers, and communities.