Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month: Spotlight on Araceli Perez

As we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we take the opportunity to recognize the diverse experiences, culture, and contributions of our Hispanic employees. Today, we highlight one of our employees, Araceli Perez, whose remarkable journey and dedication exemplify the values we hold dear at MMNA.

1. Can you share your career journey with us? What inspired you to pursue your current role, and what path led you here?

"I started my career in banking, despite my Industrial Engineering background. It was my first exposure to financial data, but I soon realized my passion lay in a manufacturing environment. After two years, I found my true calling in data analytics, planning, and projects. My journey into finance began when I transitioned into a Cost Accounting role, and from there, my career took off. Over the past 26 years, I've worked in various roles across multiple industries, from banking to automotive manufacturing, which has become my favorite field.

2. What are some challenges you've faced as a Hispanic professional, and how have you overcome them?

"Two challenges stand out: language and being a woman in manufacturing, which is typically male-dominated. English is not my native language, and I started learning it after college, which was a challenge in itself. Over time, I’ve continued learning and practicing, although I still hope to one day lose my accent during presentations. Working in male-dominated environments also pushed me to prove myself and meet the same expectations, whether through business travel, meetings, or presentations. These challenges strengthened my character and gave me the mindset to always improve and compete in demanding environments."

3. How do you feel your heritage has influenced your work ethic, leadership style, or career goals?

"I was raised in a family of hard workers, led by my father, who worked two jobs to support seven children, and my mother, who ensured things got done. Being the youngest, I was greatly influenced by my siblings, who were always striving to be better in their work. This fostered a sense of competition, in a fun way. We constantly pushed each other to develop new skills. My family also taught me that a career is more of a marathon than a sprint, which shaped my values of persistence, trustworthiness, and resilience."

4. What contributions are you most proud of in your role or within the company?

"I'm most proud of two major contributions: developing a monthly expense analysis tool that compares actuals, budgets, and forecasts across departments, and automating 70% of our month-end close reports. The first tool standardized data collection and sped up responses to leadership inquiries while driving ownership and continuous improvement within departments. The second contribution greatly improved accuracy and efficiency during financial close, fostering trust with leadership. Both achievements reflect my skills and business acumen, and I’m proud that they’ve made a real difference."

5. Are there any Hispanic traditions, values, or cultural elements from your family that have shaped who you are today?

"One key tradition in my family is the understanding that everyone contributes something unique to the team. That diversity of skills makes us stronger, especially in challenging times. This belief has shaped my approach to teamwork and leadership throughout my career."

6. Can you tell us about any Hispanic communities or organizations you’re involved with, either professionally or personally?

"I support my son’s Hispanic Club at his high school. We help organize fundraisers to provide gifts to children from low-income families in the community. I also assist my husband with his catechism class at our local Catholic church. It can be time-consuming, but seeing the happiness it brings to others makes it worthwhile."

7. What advice would you give to younger Hispanic professionals who are just starting their career journey?

"Take advantage of every opportunity, even the challenges, as they will help shape your core values for a long and fulfilling career. But always remember to find balance between your family, health, and other personal priorities. In my view, maintaining your health should always be among your top priorities."

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We are grateful for Araceli's contributions and proud to have such dedicated individuals as part of our team. National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate stories like Araceli's - stories of resilience, hard work, and the unique cultural values that enrich our workplace every day.

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