We all came from somewhere else: Day of Understanding in Dallas

As a Cuban-American who immigrated to the United States at the age of eight with my parents seeking a better life with freedom and opportunities, I know first-hand the challenges in assimilating to a new country, and relating to a new culture. Early in life my parents and other mentors taught me to treat others with respect, and to value and make the most of the opportunities given to me.

Today I have the great fortune to lead 2,000 KPMG professionals in North Texas as well as co-lead nationally, our Hispanic Latino Network at KPMG. These two roles have afforded me the opportunity to “pay it forward” for those that have and will come after me. This entails driving a culture of inclusion that recognizes, respects and supports professionals of all backgrounds, to thrive professionally and personally. Now, more than ever, companies and business leaders must create a culture that’s not only inclusive, but also one that embraces our differences.

Back in December, the Dallas office hosted an event called the Day of Understanding – an initiative undertaken by various companies to encourage dialogue and understanding of the different individuals in our workplace from all walks of life.  

The day kicked off with a video in which KPMG’s Chief Diversity Officer, Michele Meyer-Shipp, explained the importance of “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable”— in other words, engaging in conversations that may feel awkward or unusual at first, but ultimately having the potential to allow everyone to feel better about bringing their authentic selves to the office. In addition, the program provided our professionals with an opportunity to understand their own personal work environment better, and realize the unconscious biases that they may have and appreciate that we are all diverse. 

For me, the day had significant meaning because of my own story, and it should be meaningful for everyone else as well, because at the end we all have a unique story and background that make us who we are today. And for that reason, it’s important and significant to know how one thing can be perceived differently from one person to the next.

In summary, the day of understanding provided everyone valuable insights that they can take back and apply in their everyday lives as they interact with others, making KPMG an even greater place to work and build a career for all our professionals.