Celebrating our Data Center Latinos @ Amazon Affinity Group during Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latinos at Amazon vision is for Amazon to be the best employer in the world for Latinos. Our affinity group makes progress in helping Amazon achieve this vision in three distinct ways. First, we build, grow and enhance our community, empowering it to drive volunteer-led initiatives that can help make progress on our long-term objectives. Second, we advocate for new dedicated programs or focused goals which Amazon and specific teams or organizations should take to move faster in closing representation gaps. Once dedicated focus is achieved through advocacy, we partner closely with teams across Amazon, through consultation, advisement, and by driving accountability.

Established in 2012, the Latinos at Amazon affinity group (AG) spreads across scores of chapters in the US (Seattle, New York City, Austin, Tempe, Herndon, Arlington, Boston, SF, Tucson, NYC Metro, etc. ), in EMEA (Barcelona, Madrid, London, Luxembourg, Germany) and one in Asia (Tokyo). We're truly a world-wide unit!??

We are proud to celebrate the kickoff of Hispanic Heritage month at AWS by spotlighting our Data Center Planning and Delivery builders who are apart of the Latin/Hispanic community! ??

Q: Why is it important to you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

Star: I think it's important because our culture has become one that is appreciated and valued. Our voices, our accent, food, style and view on work. The way we pride ourselves on the value of dreaming, and reaching that dream. We need a pat on our back's to acknowledge how different we might feel to others, but yet valued, knowing we apart of how things work. That counts for something.

Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self based on your journey and experiences?

Star: Continue to challenge yourself with groups outside of your own comfort zone, and get a tutor for your math homework!

Q: Who are your Hispanic or Latino/a role models? And why?

Star: I have a few, not many that are extremely famous. My friend Natalie, who paid her way through law school and opening up her own practice. Former Local Mayor Blanche Barajas who overcome so many obstacles and continues to make a difference. My parents and great grandparents, and the reason for that is the drive to fight. To believe in a dream so wildly, that no matter how strong your will is to quit, the will to prove you can was that much stronger.

Q:What is something about you that most people would not know?

Star: I was a fine arts major, prior to finding my Project Management. I enjoy working with my hands whether it's through paints, charcoal and a pad or clay.

Q: What’s the last thing you accomplished that you’re proud of?

Sergio: I was part of a year-end goal and was able to complete a very challenging SPOF (Single Point of Failure) project at PDX1 to help meet our AMER goals.

Q: Why is it important to you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

Sergio: Inspiring other Hispanics to break out of their comfort zones.

Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self based on your journey and experiences?

Sergio: Never get complacent and be open to challenges and failures.

Q: What is something about you that most people would not know?

Sergio: I am a DIY'er and do all my own home improvement projects.

Q: What are you most proud of when it comes to your Latin/Hispanic heritage?

Sergio: Hearing my parents stories about the challenges they faced and overcame so that my siblings and I could have opportunities to succeed makes me very proud.

Q: What’s the last thing you accomplished that you’re proud of?

Vanessa: I was accepted into the AWS CloudPrep Academy’s Women in Tech Education Accelerator Program!

Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self based on your journey and experiences?

Vanessa: Keep learning and developing new skills over time. Make learning a lifelong journey and help teach others whenever you can.

Q: Why is it important to you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

Vanessa: It recognizes Hispanic Americans as an integral part of the United States, highlights their cultural diversity and many contributions, empowers pride in Hispanic identity, and brings wider appreciation for this community. Recognizing and celebrating these aspects is vital for an inclusive society.

Q: What tradition do you enjoy the most? and why?

Vanessa: I enjoy celebrating Día de Muertos (Day of the dead). It is a day to honor and commemorate the lives of the dearly departed and to welcome the return of their spirits. We build private ofrenda (altars) containing the favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia.

Q: What are you most proud of when it comes to your Latin/Hispanic heritage?

Vanessa: It's truly hard to pick but generally how passionate we are in everything we do.

Q: What do you most enjoy about working at AWS?

Carolina: The culture. "Every day is day 1"

Q: What’s the last thing you accomplished that you’re proud of?

Carolina: My promotion to an L3 Project Engineer.

Q: What tradition do you enjoy the most? and why?

Carolina: Christmas Eve celebrations as it brings families together and everyone gets together to eat, dance and play games.

Q: What are you most proud of when it comes to your Latin/Hispanic heritage?

Carolina: The values I learned from my family and the need to do my best and work hard in anything I do.

Q: What is something you wish more people knew about Latin/Hispanic culture?

Carolina: That we are not all the "same" just because we are Latinos and that cultures can be different from country to country.

Q: What’s the last thing you accomplished that you’re proud of?

Ian: Successfully completing promotions for team members.

Q: What career advice would you give to your younger self based on your journey and experiences?

Ian: Learn from everyone you meet and everything you do.

Q: What tradition do you enjoy the most? and why?

Ian: Christmas eve at the beach. In South America the holidays occur over the summer. All the kids are out of school, and the summer season is in full swing when the holidays roll around. This creates an environment for families to come together to celebrate and lead to lasting memories.

Q: What is your favorite Hispanic or Latin cuisine?

Ian: A chivito is a Uruguayan sandwich of sliced steak with toppings like mozzarella, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mayonnaise, and black or green olives.

Q: What is something you wish more people knew about Latin/Hispanic culture?

Ian: More often than not, adult children in Latin culture continue to live with their parents for life. If they move, it’s likely they end up living on the same street or in the same neighborhood.

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