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As part of our Women’s Network fall conversation series, the recent “Bridging the Gap: Latinas in Leadership” event marked the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and continued the celebration of the Network’s 30th anniversary. This important event highlighted the incredible contributions of Latinas in business and opened a critical dialogue about underrepresentation in corporate leadership.
The panel featured inspiring leaders, including Lucy Pérez (Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company), Daliza Nova (Head of Strategy and Development at Amplify Latinx), and Carol Ruiz (Partner at PwC), moderated by Celia Richa (Senior VP of Strategic Initiatives & Policy at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce). Together, they shared personal stories, actionable advice, and reflections on what it takes for Latinas to thrive in corporate America.
Lucy Pérez spoke of her parents’ influence, emphasizing the courage and boldness they instilled in her that’s served her throughout her career. She also referenced McKinsey’s “Women in the Workplace” study, debunking myths about women’s ambition, and highlighting data showing Latinas are actually more ambitious than many of their peers. Pérez described the need for Latinas to be more vocal about their aspirations, because “no one’s a mind reader, and we have to be careful that people are not making assumptions around what our own aspirations or career objectives are.”
Relatedly, Daliza Nova brought up a common barrier Latinas and women face in the workplace—the perception that balancing a successful career with family life means they lack ambition. She stressed the importance of normalizing conversations about personal lives, such as being a mother, in professional settings. By openly sharing her experiences and including her role as a parent in her bio, she encourages others to embrace their full identity.
Leaders and allies, especially in positions of influence, can break this barrier by assuring women it’s okay to prioritize both their career and family life without compromising their ambition.
Moderator Celia Richa spoke about the impact of proximity bias, particularly in today’s hybrid and remote work environments, urging attendees to be mindful of how physical presence—or lack thereof—can affect their visibility in the workplace. She described how showing up when possible and cultivating relationships with key decision-makers can be crucial to your success.
For Daliza Nova, the key to success has been building genuine relationships—both in the workplace and personally.
Her advice? Be direct and authentic in conversations, and don’t hesitate to ask for what you need. “You’d be very surprised how many people are willing to help you and to sit down and have coffee with you,” she added.
Lucy Pérez raised a key point about the narrow networks many Latinas rely on, often centered around family and close friends. Expanding these professional networks is critical for career advancement, especially in ensuring that your name is mentioned when opportunities arise. “You’re not going to get everything from a single mentor or sponsor,” she noted, stressing the value of cultivating diverse, meaningful relationships.
Carol Ruiz’s story of being the first in her family to attend college and enter corporate America resonated with many in the audience. As a role model for her daughters and extended family, Ruiz emphasized adaptability as a key trait that helped her succeed. “I keep going for my daughters, setting an example for them,” she shared.
Ruiz also encouraged young professionals to seize opportunities early and to build relationships from the outset. She and the other panelists reiterated the importance of self-advocacy, especially for those from cultures in which speaking up isn’t always encouraged. It’s important to remember that your work doesn’t speak for itself; you need to learn to speak up about both you and your team’s accomplishments. And ultimately, Ruiz reminded attendees that “you belong in these rooms, just like anyone else.”
Not only is self-advocacy valuable, but also self-awareness. Daliza Nova emphasized the importance of telling your own story: “If you don’t tell your story, someone else will.” Lucy Pérez echoed this sentiment, underscoring that “knowing yourself is such a big part of this whole equation.”
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Our Women’s Network’s fall conversation series is aimed at fostering conversation around diversity, representation, and the importance of “seeing yourself” in leadership. From Vice President Kamala Harris breaking barriers in 2021 to the 2023 Barbie movie challenging societal norms, and the diversity of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in 2024, these discussions reflect the ongoing need for progress. While strides are being made, women, especially Latinas, continue to face challenges in advancing inclusion and representation at the highest levels of business. This conversation series is designed to inspire and empower the next generation of leaders, recognizing that diversity at the top is not just about equity—it is a catalyst for innovation and success.
Oct 08, 20249:30am – 11:00amML Strategies
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