By Chatashia Brown, Director, Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement
Hispanic Heritage Month offers Maryanne Piña, CEO of Career Management Partners, a moment to reflect on the rich culture she grew up with and the sacrifices her parents made to provide a better life for their family.
“Growing up, I saw the hard work and resilience it took for my family to build a new life in this country,” she said. “This month is about recognizing that journey, celebrating our roots, and sharing our heritage with others.”
Maryanne believes that celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month within her organization and the broader community is a responsibility and a privilege. Her team offers a series of free resources to help empower Latino professionals in their careers, including personalized career assessments and industry insights.
“We’re proud to offer these opportunities,” she said. “By investing in the growth of Latino talent, we’re helping to build a more inclusive workforce.”
Maryanne also believes that businesses have a pivotal role in advocating for Hispanic and Latino inclusion, and it starts with creating a workplace where employees feel safe to share their experiences.
“Psychological safety is key. If employees feel they can voice their ideas and concerns without fear, they’re more likely to be engaged,” she noted.
Maryanne’s work extends beyond the walls of her own organization. She encourages businesses to partner with Hispanic/Latino groups such as ALPFA Dallas, Prospanica Dallas, or the SMU Latino Leadership Institute. These partnerships can help companies raise awareness about the issues facing the Latino community and highlight significant contributions to the workforce.
Mentorship, according to Maryanne, is also essential to advancing Hispanic/Latino professionals and creating a more inclusive environment for talent to thrive.
“Mentorship offers guidance, support, and opportunities for career growth,” she explained. “Organizations can foster effective mentorship by thoughtfully pairing mentors and mentees, providing cultural competence training, and implementing structured programs with clear goals.”
Looking ahead, Maryanne is optimistic about the future of Hispanic/Latino representation in business and leadership roles in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) region. She sees a growing number of skilled Hispanic/Latino professionals ready to take on leadership positions, fueled by the region’s increasing emphasis on inclusive practices.
“There is a strong push for more diversity in leadership, and I believe we’ll see more Hispanic/Latino entrepreneurs, executives, and community leaders shaping our economy and culture,” she said. “The DFW area is poised to become a hub for diverse leadership, reflecting the community’s rich cultural heritage and contributions.”
Her advice for young Hispanic/Latino professionals who aspire to be leaders is simple but powerful: “Pursue your core needs, think big, build your networks, and take that leap of faith—because there are no regrets in pursuing greatness.”
Through her leadership and advocacy, Maryanne is helping to create a future where more Hispanic/Latino professionals can succeed, thrive, and lead.
To learn more about Career Management Partners, visit their website.
To learn more about the work the DRC’s Diversity, Inclusion & Community Engagement team is doing, visit our website.