After such inspirational stories by strong Latinas, U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) provided the closing breakfast remarks. With gratification he recognized the hard work of the committed Latinas in the room. “Thank you for creating a venue by which we can as a nation recognize those from our community,” he expressed. “Latinas who are leading the way. Latinas who are an incredible cadre of very successful women and I want to congratulate them. And for being at the vanguard of corporate America’s diversity initiatives and its commitment to advancing the careers of professional Hispanic women across America. For giving the companies who do the right thing recognition and corporate leaders understand that having qualified talented Latinas at the echelons of the company are going to ultimately improve their bottom line. I am mindful and I can see it in the background of all the women here, congratulations to all the executives of the years recognized. I hope that as we celebrate these talented, smart powerful women that we have the opportunity to use them and so many others as models and mentors for young Latinas who may be struggling to think about how to get through high school and then get to college because there is a tremendous power in the mentoring of the individual and in touching lives and giving role models.”

A celebration of Latina leadership at the highest levels of corporate America is essential and Senator Menendez affirmed that corporate diversity is not about philanthropy, it is about improving your bottom line. “Ultimately when you have a diverse board and senior executive management you have a much better bottom line. I look forward to the growth of Latinas in corporate America,” he stated. “I believe that the reason we advocate for this is because Latinas and Latinos at corporate boards will be making investment decisions in our communities that will help the company drive its bottom line but at the same time help our communities grow and prosper and be empowered. I am here today to salute the companies that get it. The women who are the examples of how we can achieve both for ourselves as a community, be role models for future generations of Latinas and at the same time help our country grow and prosper.” After a riveting morning, attendees were eager to hear more successful stories. The first session of the day, provided by the 2011 LATINA Executives of the Year was moderated by Yvonne Garcia, director of Segment Marketing, Liberty Mutual Insurance and the national vice president of ALPFA. “It’s so inspiring to be in a room full of amazing Latinas and Latinos and the non–Latinos your presence is also important,” said Garcia as she introduced the panel. Panelists included. Patricia Salas Pineda, Group vice president, National Philanthropy & Toyota USA, Foundation Toyota Motor North America, Inc.; Lisa Garcia Quiroz, senior vice president, Corporate Responsibility & CDO, Time Warner Inc.; Sonia Sroka, senior vice president, director of Hispanic Marketing, Porter Novelli; Lee Ann Benavidez, Regional vice president of Revenue for North America Operations, Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

With a focus on the importance of mentorship and lessons learned, speakers shared theirs secrets to success. Pineda recalled the time when she joined Toyota in 1984 she was the only woman in management. What was really important for her was to keep an eye on the task at hand. “I knew I was good at what I did,” she expressed. “I focused on doing the best job that I could and every day I reminded myself that I had every right to be there just as much all the men that were there. Then it was really utilizing the leadership attributes of listening to what people were saying and learning to influence and persuade. With that I was able to navigate through that culture.”

For Garcia Quiroz it is important to think about the distinction of people who are influential in your career. They can be sponsors or a circle of colleagues. Her advice is to look for someone who can support and guide you in different ways, even if they become an informal mentor. “Make sure you have people in all those categories,” she stated. “You need other voices and need those who support you and help you move in your career.”

An opportunity to hear inspiring leaders on how they lead their jobs and the ERG’s of their respective company, the second workshop entitled Empowering the Employee Resource Groups was moderated by Lesley L. Elwell, director, Human Resource Planning, Sprint. Speakers included Mandy Lozano, marketing manager, Frito-Lay, PepsiCo; Leslie Arredondo, senior coordinator, Music & Media Licensing, Viacom; Lisette Crespo, senior International account associate, Aetna; and Alicia Garcia, programme manager, Americas Marketplaces, Thomson Reuters.

A resource group simply contributes to the company’s bottom line. Whether it is by developing talent or community involvement, these Latinas are dedicated to presenting senior leaders at their respective companies the importance of driving business group products.

For Elwell, an ERG serves to connect with leaders, to grow professionally and to develop a sense of community involvement.

Similarly for Crespo, it is important to know how the ERG makes a difference for the community. “The goal is to empower the membership of ERGs,” she states. “In this case, the goal is for Latinos to advance at the company.”

The third session of the day focusing on Technology was moderated by Maria Arias, executive director, Diversity & Inclusion, Comcast Corporation; speakers included Nilda Puig, vice president of Global Services, Commercial and R&D, Johnson & Johnson; Delfina Reimers, director, Global Information Resources, Marriott International, Inc.; Ricardo Barrientos, senior director for supplier diversity at PepsiCo.

With a high demand for technology use every second, how do these executives manage to do it all at once? “Be knowledgeable,” stated Puig. “I always have my blackberry. I’ve been in IT for 30 years and I have to stay on guard of everything. I ask the techies to teach me as well. I get their technology knowledge and that’s ongoing.”

For Reimers, it is important to understand technology in the organization or at the company and not to be afraid to network, so far she has learned to leverage technology as much as she can.

After an informative morning, the recognition to the company of the year was given during the luncheon. With joy, Bard welcomed Joe Echevarria, CEO of Deloitte to the podium to receive the award. “We have a lot of great programs at Deloitte,” he expressed. “This country has lots of challenges, but I feel there is no better place to be and I am living the American dream.”

“Thank you for joining us in celebrating Latina success,” said Bard. “Having a Latina on board is a great thing. Recognizing Latina achievement is an incredible journey for us. For all the Latinas that are here today and all the awardees, Congratulations.”