Latinx / Hispanic Heritage Month: A Q+A with Staff at HBS
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In honor of Latinx / Hispanic Heritage Month, we sat down with Latin American staff across the School to discuss their time at HBS and what this month means to them.
Juana Maria Nantez
What is your role at HBS? I work in the program delivery team for Executive Education.
How long have you been at HBS? One year this November.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? This month make me even prouder to be Latina. This month gives me a reason to talk even more about my food, culture, language, and music, although I already bring it up plenty! I have met so many incredible Latinos since arriving in the US who I am privileged to call friends and family. Latinos in the US contribute so much to society in so many ways, it's nice to get to celebrate some of these accomplishments during this month.
How did you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? I feel like I celebrate being Hispanic every day of the year, not just in this one month. I am a very proud Latina and proud of where I come from. I love to wake up in the mornings and have my Cafe Bustelo with an arepa while listening and dancing to an assortment or merengue, salsa, bachata, among others! I talk to my mother every day. I drink mate in the afternoons, and I like going to East Boston in my spare time to buy all my Latin American products. I love making empanadas with chimichurri and inviting people over to try them. I am also an Allies for Immigrants ESOL volunteer at Boston Cares. I volunteer once a week in English class, helping adults who have recently moved to Boston from another country. Most of the students have been Hispanic and I have loved being able to connect with them and seeing their progress in a short amount of time.
What is your favorite thing about HBS?
I have only worked remotely as of now, so I don't feel like I have been able to capture the full essence of the HBS culture. However, I am excited to be on campus this fall and experience all the great things I have heard from colleagues.
Walfred Arenales
What is your role at HBS?
Currently, I am the associate director of finance and operations. My job is very exciting because I am involved with the creation and tracking of the HBS operating and capital budgets as well as HR, IT, and communication duties. Providing financial support and guidance to all groups in Operations such as Construction, Administrative Services, Facilities, Events, and others keeps me active and engaged.
How long have you been at HBS?
I’m very proud of being a part of the HBS community for 27 years. I still remember the day when I received my first job offer as a staff assistant. It was the beginning of such a rewarding career.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
I think it is a great time for the Latinx community to celebrate all the accomplishments that, step-by-step, we have achieved. Our community has been making headlines in business, education, music, politics, and much more; all of this definitely deserves to be celebrated. Everything about my culture makes me proud, but we still have so much work to do so we can open doors for future generations. Although the road has not been easy for many of us, it has been worth it.
How did you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Well, this was a very special Hispanic Heritage Month because for the first time in HBS history we founded our Latinx Affinity Group for faculty and staff. This was a huge advancement towards making HBS a more diverse and inclusive place. I feel very fortunate and honored to be one of the founders, along with Executive Education’s Elisa Jaramillo (from Colombia) and Division of Research & Faculty Development’s (DRFD) Amy Soto-Shed (from Puerto Rico). With the support and guidance of HBS Human Resources and the Dean’s Office, we were able to make this dream come true. We have several members already and we are all very excited to start working on this project.
What is your favorite thing about HBS? My favorite thing is to get to meet our students every year. They all come from different places in the world and possess diverse ways of thinking. I always make an effort to meet as many as I can. HBS is also a community that doesn’t only provide jobs for many Latinos and other diverse groups, it is an organization that invests in our education and professional growth. HBS was a life-changing experience for me, a young Latino from Guatemala who came to America with $40 in his pocket and a nearly impossible dream to be part of the Harvard community someday.
Martha Allen
What is your role at HBS? Housekeeping supervisor for the MBA dorms.
How long have you been at HBS? 32 years!
What does >Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It means a lot. Hispanic Heritage Month reminds me of where we come from and also of our culture.
How did you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? By getting together with family and friends and supporting all the events that the community puts together. And of course, enjoyed our delicious food!
What is your favorite thing about HBS?
I love the idea of meeting people from all over the world and getting to learn about their cultures. I also feel very grateful to be part of the HBS community.
Natacha Munoz
What is your role at HBS? I am an assistant director in the Financial Aid department. I oversee the Elective Curriculum (EC) financial aid process, certification of finances process for incoming international students, and financial wellness programming.
How long have you been at HBS? I have been at HBS for 12 years and in the Financial Aid office the whole time.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
As an immigrant from Colombia, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect and honor our culture and traditions.
How did you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
I read How to Love a Country: Poems by Richard Blanco.
What is your favorite thing about HBS? I really enjoy walking around this beautiful campus every morning, spending some time chatting with my friends in the MBA program and Restaurant Associates, and working with students. Everyone plays a role in our community. I am grateful to be a part of this community.
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