Prospanica New Jersey's January 2024 Newsletter
Embracing New Beginnings: Dive into Exciting Updates and Opportunities in Our First Newsletter of 2024.
Querida Familia,
We are renewed by this year’s goals, activities, new leadership, and members. 2023 was our strongest year yet, and we are on track to make this year the biggest and strongest year for Prospanica. We are so excited for the upcoming events that will make our Chapter shine in the thriving state of New Jersey!
No te puedes perder nuestros eventos (Do not miss our events) this year. Make sure you follow us on our major social media platforms, Instagram and LinkedIn. Our social media pages inform you about membership benefits, upcoming events, and opportunities to improve your professional network and connections.
And if you are not a member, pues (then), what are you waiting for? We offer Student and Professional memberships. Joining the New Jersey Chapter offers numerous benefits for both professionals and students.
For professionals, our Chapter provides networking opportunities, career development resources, access to job postings, mentorship programs, and professional development events. Additionally, Prospanica offers a platform to engage with other Hispanic professionals, fostering a strong sense of community.
Our Chapter provides students with access to scholarships, internships, mentorship opportunities, and resources to support academic and career growth. It also offers a chance to connect with established professionals, gain insights into various industries, and build a strong professional network early in their careers.
Leading the Way: Randy Gómez Assumes Role as Chapter President
Randy is a dedicated Latina Professional with a strong track record in leadership and management. Randy brings a wealth of experience and education to her role.
Randy's passion for fostering growth and shaping the future of organizations led her to participate in Leadership Berkeley, a prestigious 9-month program. She is the current Director, Corporate and Community Relations at Berkeley College.
Randy founded Sparx Lab, a technology lab specializing in global programming surrounding blockchain, AI, and VR.
Randy's leadership qualities have been recognized through various honors and awards, including the Chairman and President’s Awards. Her commitment to excellence and integrity has consistently set her apart. Fluent in Spanish, Randy's diverse language skills enhance her ability to connect with our Chapter’s community and more!
Learn about Randy’s vision for Prospanica NJ by watching her welcome video.
We are thrilled to welcome Randy Gómez as our new Chapter President, and we look forward to her guidance and contributions in furthering Prospanica's mission of advocating for the advancement of Hispanic professionals. Randy's expertise and dedication will undoubtedly propel our chapter to new heights.
First Chapter Strategy Meeting
During our chapter's first board strategy meeting this month, we delved into a comprehensive discussion about the progress we've made so far and upcoming events. We strategically outlined plans for an action-packed Q1 to ensure a dynamic and engaging series of activities that benefit our members and the community. This meeting set the tone for an exciting and impactful start to the year.
We are taking actionable steps to elevate our chapter and want YOU to be part of this journey. Let's collaborate and make a difference together! Reach out to us to explore partnership opportunities.
Thank you to Berkeley College for hosting us and D's Cozy Kitchen for catering the delicious lunch!
Latina Trailblazers in STEAM: Shaping Careers & Business
On Wednesday, we joined the Latina Track in their first webinar of the year, "Latina Trailblazers in STEAM: Shaping Careers and Business.” Moderated by our own Randy Gómez. The event featured a distinguished panel including Liz Bazurto, Consensys Ecosystem Engagements Manager; Dora Maria, Former Amazon Product Manager; and Erika Cramer, CANY Capital Venture Capital VC, Board of Director and Strategic Advisor. We had a record turnout, with our attendees gaining valuable insights and perspectives from these accomplished professionals, with Lucy Pinto, Google's senior marketing manager.
Why the “A” in STEAM is Important
Showcasing diverse role models in these fields fosters inclusivity, breaks stereotypes, and encourages the next generation of innovators. Adding “the Arts” to STEM to create STEAM is about incorporating creative thinking and applied arts in real situations; art is about discovering and creating ingenious ways of problem-solving, integrating principles, or presenting information [1].
The action-packed webinar highlighted professionals in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and its influence on shaping diverse and inclusive workplaces. Join us and other webinars alike this year for more trending conversations.
📚 Inspiring the Next Generation
Earlier this month, Randy visited Manhattan Bridges High School, sharing her career journey with 90+ students as an HISPA - Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement role model.
Randy impressed the students when she told them how much it cost to manufacture a pair of Nike Jordans. A lesson on Cost Vs. Value. Sharing these nuggets opens their minds and encourages them to explore beyond what’s in front of them.
Cost: the amount paid for something.
Value: the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.
Becoming an(a) HISPA role model allows you to inspire and empower Hispanic students by serving as a positive example. You can help students envision their potential, provide guidance, and offer insights into potential career paths. Additionally, being an(a) HISPA role model allows you to contribute to diversifying leadership and talent within various industries, fostering a more inclusive and representative workforce.
HISPA's 3 Kings Banquet
Our Chapter celebrated HISPA’s journey toward Latino prosperity, power, and progress. We honored the exceptional individuals and institutions who have gone above and beyond to support HISPA's mission. HISPA's dedicated Role Models, funders, and partners lead by example, inspiring us with their extraordinary commitment to sharing stories for the future of America.
Join us at the 2024 Prospanica Leadership Summit
This year, Prospanica is set to redefine the essence of leadership under the theme "IN SYNERGY – No One Leads Alone." Our summit, dedicated to empowering Hispanic professionals, will feature immersive learning experiences, insightful panel discussions, and abundant networking opportunities.
Join us March 7-9 in Dallas, TX
"In Synergy" is more than just a theme; it's our belief in the transformative power of collaboration. We are delving into the magic that happens when diverse skills, perspectives, and strengths unite. It's about leveraging collective intelligence, creativity, and culture to elevate leadership effectiveness and achieve outcomes far beyond individual capabilities.
Summit Highlights
Interactive learning sessions tailored for Latino professionals
Engaging panel discussions with thought leaders and experts
Opportunities to connect and network with peers and mentors
A focus on how synergy in leadership can create more significant impacts.
Let's make the 2024 Prospanica Leadership Summit a cornerstone for our collective aspiration and success. Your participation and contributions will shape not only our summit but the future of leadership within our community. #TogetherWeCan
Seamless Engagement: Embrace Luma for Enhanced Event Participation and Connection
Become part of the Prospanica New Jersey community on Luma, our dedicated event platform crafted to unite our members. By registering, unlock a host of advantages such as simplified event sign-ups, personalized event suggestions, direct interaction with peers, and effortless access to event materials and resources. Stay in the loop about upcoming events, workshops, and networking opportunities customized for you. Seize the opportunity to connect, learn, and thrive within our dynamic community. Enroll on Luma today and remain involved in Prospanica NJ events!
Renew and Reap Rewards: Why Continuing Your Prospanica Membership Matters
Renewing your Prospanica membership is not just a transaction; it’s a commitment to your professional growth and network expansion. By renewing your membership, you are investing in a community dedicated to empowering Hispanic professionals. You gain continued access to exclusive networking events, career development resources, mentorship programs, and job opportunities. Additionally, renewal ensures ongoing support for student scholarships, leadership development, and advocacy initiatives. Don't miss out on the chance to remain part of this vibrant community and to continue leveraging the myriad benefits that come with Prospanica membership.
Prospanica New Jersey Chapter is a beacon, guiding individuals toward their career aspirations. With abundant resources to expand networks, innovative ideas to pivot careers, and unwavering encouragement for professional growth, we invite you to become a member today!
Special Thanks to Our Proud Sponsors
Hispanics are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Hispanic labor force is projected to grow by 18.6% between 2019 and 2029.
A Stanford Graduate School of Business report found that Hispanic-owned businesses grew 34% over 10 years, compared to 1% for all U.S. businesses.
As the most prominent and fastest-growing minority group, Hispanics are severely underrepresented in professional employment. In areas such as leadership positions, wage gap, occupational segregation, and representation in decision-making. Hispanics must be more represented in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) fields. Help us turn the tide and further Hispanic success in education and the marketplace to improve our nation’s economy.
Prospanica reaches some of the nation’s most dedicated and high-performing individuals:
30,000 students and professionals with 47 established chapters nationwide
Nearly 60% have earned their MBA.
44% bring more than three years of management experience
Sponsorship with Prospanica offers opportunities for talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, professional development, community engagement, market expansion, and access to research. Your support helps organizations build strong connections with the Hispanic community and foster an inclusive workplace culture, enhancing employee engagement, innovation, and business success.
Contact us for more information on Partnership Opportunities at newjersey.president@prospanica.org
Reference: [1] Lathan, J. (2022, July 25). Why STEAM is so important to 21st century education. University of San Diego Online Degrees. https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/steam-education-in-schools/