2 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 3

TABLE - of - CONTENTS

6 LETTER FROM THE CEO 8 CLASS OF 2017 20 How important is your heritage to your personal identity and career? 32 How do you ensure that you continue to learn and grow? 44 How do you leverage your network to seek out personal or professional opportunities? 56 What guides your leadership philosophy? 68 How have you handled a role or label you didn’t ask for? 70 APPENDIX

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 5 22 CLASS DIANE CRUZ-BURKE - of - Eli Lilly and Company Harvard

2017 24 JOEL DE LA GARZA Box Stanford

10 26 SYLVIA ACEVEDO ROSANNA M. DURRUTHY Girl Scouts of the USA LinkedIn Stanford Harvard

12 28 VICTOR ARIAS CRISTINA FERNANDEZ Korn Ferry International McQUISTION Stanford OGE Energy Group Brown, Stanford 14 30 HUGO BARRA MICHELLE FREYRE Facebook Johnson & Johnson Consumer MIT Yale, Harvard

16 34 HENRY CISNEROS LORNA HAGEN CityView OnDeck Harvard Cornell

18 36 JULIE ANN CROMMETT VERONICA JUAREZ The Walt Disney Studios Lyft Harvard Stanford

6 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 38 54 DOLORES KUNDA JESSICA REEVES Latino Corporate Directors Association Voto Latino Northwestern Georgetown

40 58 MICK LOPEZ CARLOS RODRIGUEZ UChicago, Georgetown ADP Harvard

42 60 LUCINDA MARTINEZ FREDDY ROLÓN HBO ESPN Deportes Columbia Dartmouth

46 62 PATRICIA McCARTHY MANNY SANCHEZ Goldman Sachs Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP Harvard UPenn

48 64 ANITA ORTIZ JORGE URRUTIA Viacom DEL POZO Princeton MIT

50 66 ANGELA L. PADILLA RODRIGO VELLOSO Uber Redbubble Harvard, Columbia UPenn

52 PEDRO PIZARRO Edison International Harvard

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 7 FROM - the - CEO

8 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 through sharing, they empower Each year, others to do the same. When we launched The Alumni The Alumni Society in 2015, our focus was to create a platform for the most dis- Society tinguished Latinos in the country highlights to network in the hopes that by facilitating these relationships we a group of could more effectively help each other advance and, as a result, ele- exceptional vate Latino leadership in corporate America. This publication is a phys- members ical manifestation of that network. Our 2017 publication’s focus is in our annual publication, and we on elevating your personal stories. call them the annual “class.” This We believe that sharing and hear- year, you’ll meet the class of 2017, ing each other’s stories will help but they could also be collectively connect us and give us the tools to called the class of achievement; grow ourselves. Our stories—your the class of impressive career stories—give hope, inspiration, accomplishments; or the class of and motivation to others to take people who respect their roots charge of their lives and create while looking toward their future. their own stories. We call this group a class because they all share many characteristics: they graduated from top-tier universities, they’re Latino, and they’ve reached the executive level and beyond. But they also share an affinity for con- nection; an understanding that as PEDRO GUERRERO Latinos in the business sector, we’ll Cofounder & CEO The Alumni Society go further together; and a desire to share their stories, because

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 9 8 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 CLASS OF 2017

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 9 SYLVIA ACEVEDO

CEO Girl Scouts of the USA

Alma Mater STANFORD

10 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hen Sylvia Acevedo was in W fourth grade, her teacher showed her a photo of Stanford’s campus. She was awestruck by the university’s historic sandstone quad: Romanesque buildings with red-tiled rooves set against a backdrop of green, northern California foothills. At that moment, she decided she would go to Stanford. And she did. After earning a bachelor’s from New Mexico State University, she went on to earn a mas- ter’s from Stanford. But none of this would have been possible without the Girl Scouts of the USA. Acevedo credits her time as a young STEM’S Girl Scout to changing her life; her IMPORTANCE troop provided her with the tools and Promoting education experiences that gave her the con- has been central to fidence and drive to be a leader and Sylvia Acevedo’s career. In fact, she has been a pursue her goals. And it was that same member of the Stanford foundation of leadership skills that pro- Alumni Association’s pelled her from Stanford to achieving Board of Directors and another one of her dreams: becoming the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational a rocket scientist. Excellence for Hispanics, “Working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion chairing its Early Education Laboratory in Pasadena, California, was Subcommittee. Now, as a huge achievement,” Acevedo says. “I CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, one of her missions is had grown up with NASA and was fas- to promote science, tech- cinated by it since I was a young Girl nology, engineering, and Scout. Working at JPL when the Voyager math (STEM) education in 2 was sending back images of Jupiter young girls. “In today’s world, for and its moons, Io and Europa, still the United States to remain thrills me to think about to this day.” competitive, we need a workforce that doesn’t just use technology but also knows how to program, “I had grown up with NASA code, create, and design and was fascinated by it since technology,” she says. I was a young Girl Scout.” “With millions of jobs that are unfilled because of a mix and match in skill sets, US girls are an untapped After leaving NASA, Acevedo was for- resource. Girl Scouts is tunate enough to be in the Bay Area committed to developing during the tech boom, and she held a STEM talent pipeline of millions of Girl Scouts prominent positions at IBM, Autodesk, who can provide the skills and Dell. Fittingly, she is now the CEO and expertise that our of Girl Scouts of the USA after sitting country needs.” on its board of directors from 2009 to Acevedo is so pas- sionate about STEM that 2016. As a lifelong Girl Scout, she says she has even designed it’s her responsibility for having an her own Girl Scout patch, idea, vision, mission, and strategy for which includes images of the organization and for making sure Jupiter, pi, stars, a rocket, and the symbol for sigma, Girl Scouts gets the resources it needs symbolizing the summation to achieve that vision. of numbers.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 11 VICTOR ARIAS

Senior Client Partner Korn Ferry International

Alma Mater STANFORD

12 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 or more than fifteen years, Victor F Arias sat on the board of directors for Popeyes. It was a prestigious posi- tion that carried a lot of responsibility, but Arias sees it as being much more significant. “It’s very difficult to get elected, and many executives would like to get on corporate boards,” he says. “It’s really a hot area, but to be truthful, the playing field has not been level in terms of having the appropriate rep- resentation. The representation on corporate boards in the past ten years has slightly improved, but not much.”

“I’ve been blessed to be a really good networker, and I really value those relationships. That’s really worked well for me as I transitioned to executive recruiting.” EL PASO It’s for that reason that Arias has built ROOTS his career on networking and advocating for Latino inclusion at the highest levels Victor Arias was born in and of corporate America. That led to his grew up in El Paso, Texas, just across the border from involvement as a cofounder of both the Mexico. And being a sec- Latino Corporate Directors Association, ond generation Mexican and the National Society of Hispanic American, that experience MBAs (NSHMBA), now Prospanica. was foundational for Arias. “The border was very When NSHMBA was founded, Arias transparent,” he says. “We was working in Chicago, and he rec- used to go across a lot. It ognized the need for a network of was just very bicultural.” Hispanic professionals. During Arias’s child- hood, his father worked “At the time, if I found anybody who at a furniture store on looked Hispanic and professional with pure commission and a suit on, I’d go grab them off the street, also moonlighted at the essentially,” he says. “Anyway, that’s railroad during graveyard shifts. He says his parents how we built and grew NSHMBA.” sacrificed a lot to encour- Since then, Prospanica has grown age education and pay to include more than 29,000 mem- for him and his siblings to bers, and Arias has built his career attend Catholic schools. Following high school, on reaching out to people. In fact, his Arias got a scholarship specialty is executive recruitment, to attend his hometown and his network is invaluable in his college, the University of role at Korn Ferry. Texas at El Paso. Following graduation, he went on to “I’ve been blessed to be a really good earn an MBA at Stanford networker, and I really value those and built the career he has relationships,” he says. “That’s really today, never forgetting worked well for me as I transitioned to his formative experiences of living just a stone’s executive recruiting because it’s about throw away from the US relationships.” southern border.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 13 HUGO BARRA

VP of VR Facebook

Alma Mater MIT

14 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 ugo Barra is a name that you H probably want to know if you’re in the tech world. He’s been named one of the Wired 100, Business Insider’s Silicon Valley 100, and Época maga- zine’s most influential Brazilians. After growing up in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Barra began his college stud- ies in Brazil at Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais but then transferred to MIT, where he earned a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and computer science, as well as a bachelor’s degree in manage- ment science. In 2008, Barra joined Google in its London offices. During his nearly five- year tenure with Google, Barra con- tributed to the development of the Android operating system—expand- ing it to thousands of partners and more than one billion people around the world.

With teams devoted to research, computer vision, optics, social interaction, and more, Oculus is committed to driving the state-of-the-art technology forward through relentless innovation.

In 2013, Barra left Google for the exec- utive team at Xiaomi in Beijing, where he led the company’s global expansion strategy to markets beyond mainland SOCIAL MEDIA China, such as India, Southeast Asia, SOCIALITE and Brazil. In January 2017, Barra Hugo Barra is pretty active announced that he would be leaving on social media, with Xiaomi to return to Silicon Valley, nearly 135,000 Facebook followers and more than where his friends and family were. 115,000 Twitter follow- Upon leaving Xiaomi, he joined ers. On his social media Facebook as the vice president of accounts, he posts every- virtual reality, leading the Oculus thing from articles about VR to promotional videos team. With teams devoted to of projects he’s working research, computer vision, optics, on to photos of outings social interaction, and more, Oculus with friends and family. is committed to driving the state-of- To see his social media, find his Facebook page at the-art technology forward through facebook.com/hbarra76 relentless innovation. and his Twitter at @hbarra.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 15 HENRY CISNEROS

Founder & Chairman CityView

Alma Mater HARVARD

16 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 enry Cisneros lives in his grand- H parents’ original house in San Antonio. In fact, he often works in his study, located in his grandfather’s for- mer bedroom. He lives there, not for financial reasons, but because it serves as a reminder of his mentors and more importantly because he cares about the community his family has been a part of for generations. “My neighborhood is 95 percent Hispanic; I interface daily with recent arrivals,” he says. “I see many of my inter- actions at the highest levels of American society through the prism of the Latino people with whom I live.” Cisneros reflects on his mentors when looking at his career. They include his READING LIST grandfather, who emigrated from Mexico in 1926 to become an integral In his personal time, Henry Cisneros has a few priori- part of San Antonio’s community; his ties. He enjoys listening to father, who served in World War II classical music, he hates and was involved in early Latino civil missing his grandchildren’s rights efforts; and Congressman Henry athletic events, and he tries to work out daily. B. González. But he was truly inspired to “It doesn’t come quite pursue public service in 1968—a water- to every day, but I usually shed moment in US history that saw the get in twenty-six days assassinations of Martin Luther King each month,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be a long Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, Vietnam War workout, but some weight protests, and the civil rights movement. lifting or some running or “It occurred to me that our country walking every day. That, I needed some serious work, and I made find, brings me great peace and relaxation.” the decision to do my part,” he says. “All However, outside of the of my studies shifted to the area where challenge of exercising I thought I could make a difference: cit- nearly every day, he has ies—the problems of the nation’s urban embarked on a new ambi- tious endeavor: to read all areas, and the people who live in them.” one hundred books on the Throughout his career, improving cit- New York Times list of the ies has been central to his career, from best books of the twenti- his time as the mayor of San Antonio eth century. One of his favorites so through his time as the Secretary of far is Wallace Stegner’s Housing and Urban Development and novel Crossing to Safety. into his career in the private sector. “It is a book about nor- Now with CityView, he is continuing mal daily life, but it helped me understand how our his mission to improve urban centers, society has evolved by this time by building new residential understanding how peo- projects and raising capital for other ple think and how various projects through Siebert Cisneros Shank. times in American history have impacted people and “The work that I do today is a contin- their thoughts.” uation of what I tried to do as mayor His daughter, Teresa, and at HUD in terms of opportunities gave him the book for for people to live better in decent homes Christmas. She majored in English at Yale University, and through infrastructure projects that and Cisneros says he takes advance the city at large,” he says. his reading cues from her.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 17 JULIE ANN CROMMETT

VP, Multicultural Audience Engagement The Walt Disney Studios

Alma Mater HARVARD

18 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 his November, Pixar is releasing T Coco, a film set in Mexico fol - lowing a young boy as he pursues his musical dreams. For Julie Ann Crommett, The Walt Disney Studios’ vice president of multicultural audi- ence engagement, it’s a project that she’s especially excited about. “As a Latina, I am particularly proud of Coco,” she says. “Being Latina is all I know how to be, and with that, I am so grateful for the perspective it has afforded me. In my work, I am con- stantly looking at creative work from multiple viewpoints.”

“Being Latina is all I know how to be; I am so grateful for the perspective it has afforded me.”

Another reason she connects with it is because it tells the story of child fol- lowing his dreams of a career in enter- tainment, not unlike herself. “I’ve wanted to be in entertainment since I was five years old,” she says. “During childhood, I studied acting and then switched to production when I was DIVERSIFYING in college. I loved having influence over THE SILVER a creative project, from start to finish.” SCREEN Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Outside of her work at The she envisioned going to Yale. However, Walt Disney Studios, Julie when it came time to go to college, the Ann Crommett sits on the boards of the National city of Boston won her over, and she Association of Latino decided to attend Harvard. Independent Producers and Upon graduation, Crommett began Women in Animation. her career as Pixar’s production “Both organizations are making strides for inclu- intern, working on the Wall-E DVD and sion and representation in Up promos. Later on, she worked at media,” she says. NBCUniversal, managing behind-the- To that end, Women camera diversity programs. That even- in Animation, she says, is changing the anima- tually led to her becoming Google’s tion industry by providing entertainment industry educator women more opportunities in chief, leading efforts to diversify to create and tell stories. on-screen perceptions of computer However, she doesn’t think that the organization’s science through storytelling. While effects will be limited to at Google, she was recognized as The animation alone. Hollywood Reporter’s “Next Gen: 35 under “By making animation 35.” Now, her entertainment career is more inclusive, we really help increase representa- coming full circle as she returns to tion across the industry,” Pixar and The Walt Disney Studios. she says.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 19 How important is your heritage to your personal identity and career?

“First of all, I’m proudest to be an American. I have many identities as a husband, as a father, as a Democrat, as a Catholic, as a son. . . . The two “My heritage is proudest are to be an absolutely essential American and to be an to my persona, both American of Hispanic professionally and heritage. I see those personally. I feel things as completely privileged to be born compatible. I do believe a Mexican American. I we’re blessed to live in a would not be here if it country with the liberties weren’t for a migrant and protections that the worker named Salomon US affords. To bring the Sanchez who came over sense of contribution that from Toluca, Mexico, in Latinos can offer is right at the 1940s.” the core of my identity.”

MANNY SANCHEZ HENRY CISNEROS Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP CityView

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20 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 “I have always been “Being Puerto Rican proud of my Latina is very important to heritage and have fond me. Culturally and memories of spending spiritually, the Hispanic- summers in Mexico Caribbean influence City with my Abuelita, is with me always. I tias, tios, and primos. For use Hispanic here most of my life, it made specifically to make me feel different, and the connection to the admittedly, there were history left behind by times when I didn’t the Spanish settlers. know where I fit in. There is a vibrancy and But as I matured and warmth to Caribbean gained confidence, I culture, and I find learned that difference that has helped me in is something to be building fast and easy celebrated rather relationships.” than hidden.”

LORNA HAGEN ANITA ORTIZ OnDeck Viacom

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THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 21 DIANE CRUZ-BURKE

Chief Operations Officer, Legal Eli Lilly and Company

Alma Mater HARVARD

22 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hile she was growing up in W Knox, Indiana, Diane Cruz- Burke’s father operated a small busi- ness, and like any small business owner, he often had to deal with law- yers and accountants. Taking that into account, he encouraged his daughter to pursue a career in law. “He said he needed a lawyer he could trust,” Cruz-Burke says. “He also suggested I have a solid back-up plan, perhaps something in business.” She did both, earning a degree in accounting from Indiana University and a JD from Harvard Law School. Since then, her parents’ work ethic has inspired her to have a prosperous career.

“That motivated me. I knew I had more opportunity than they had; they came from very IF YOU HELP humble beginnings.” ONE CHILD One of Diane Cruz-Burke’s primary focuses in her “My parents worked really hard, philanthropy work is youth but we never lacked for things,” she education and coaching. says. “I saw how hard they had to Currently, she says that one of her biggest com- work to achieve what they had and mitments in that realm is saw how that was different from even serving on the board of the extended family. That motivated me. Providence Cristo Rey High I knew I had more opportunity than School, a college-prepara- tory school in Indianapolis they had; they came from very humble that serves financially beginnings.” underprivileged students. Upon earning her JD, Cruz-Burke “I love working with began her legal career in Indianapolis that population of at-risk students and families,” at Barnes & Thornburg. Three years she says. “I deeply believe later, she accepted an in-house coun- that if you help one child, sel position at global pharmaceuti- you’ve helped a family and cal company Eli Lilly and Company, a community.” Outside of her involve- also based in Indianapolis. Since ment with Providence joining Lilly in 1994, she’s moved up Cristo Rey High School, to become the chief operations offi- Cruz-Burke says she has cer for the legal department, and a lot of relationships with family members, kids of she’s become an integral part of the friends, and young people Indianapolis community and a cham- in the community in which pion of diversity at Lilly. she serves as a mentor, In addition to supporting sev - advisor, and life coach. “I like to help people eral community-based nonprofits, make connections with she has served as president of the others and expose them Organization of Latinos at Lilly, and to opportunities and ideas she received Lilly’s inaugural Diversity that will help them for- mulate or move closer to and Inclusion Community Champion achieving their dreams,” Award in 2013. she says. JOEL DE LA GARZA

VP of Operations Security Box

Alma Mater STANFORD

24 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hile growing up in McAllen, W Texas, Joel de la Garza was fasci- nated with the Atari video game Pong. In fact, if he hadn’t played the game, he might not be where he is today. “That began my life-long love of tech- nology and innovation,” he says. “It was amazing to me, very early on, that tech was only limited by our imagination.” Since then, he’s built his life and career around technology. After gradu- ating high school, he went on to study computer science at Stanford University with coursework at Princeton. He has since built a career focused specifically on cybersecurity, working as the secu- rity services manager at Securify, global head incident management at Deutsche Bank, head of security architecture and engineering for the global consumer business at Citigroup, and then director of cyber intelligence at Citigroup.

“It was amazing to me, very early on, that tech was only limited by our imagination.”

In his first position at Citigroup, SECURITY IN de la Garza was responsible for all THE AGE OF information security technology for THE CLOUD the global consumer business, which If you want insight into the covered more than 150,000 employ- future of cybersecurity, look ees and hundreds of millions of cus - no further than Joel de la tomer accounts. At his next position at Garza. He writes posts for Box’s blog, and he even Citigroup, he was responsible for iden- contributes to Medium on tifying emerging threats, developing cybersecurity issues. both tactical and strategic responses When thinking about the to those threats, and managing any future of cybersecurity, he knows it’s a changing field, security incidents that occurred. In but he believes the future February 2013, he transitioned to his will hold stricter regulations current role at Box. and hold organizations Since it was founded in 2005, cloud more accountable. “Security is a feature, storage company Box has grown to not a product,” de la Garza include more than 41 million users says. “If car companies and 74,000 businesses—including sold cars that went up 59 percent of Fortune 500 companies. in flames the way com- puter software goes up in Today, de le Garza oversees cybersecu- flames, most automotive rity for the entire organization, which CEOs would be in prison for he says is under constant review by the life. As everything moves US Department of Defense to ensure to the cloud, the liability equation will change, and the company is maintaining the high- service providers will be est level of security possible. held accountable.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 25 ROSANNA M. DURRUTHY

Head of Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging LinkedIn

Alma Mater HARVARD

26 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 iversity and inclusion are central D to Rosanna M. Durruthy’s career. Since her first job in human resources at Citibank in 1985, Durruthy’s goal has been to create valuable things out of people’s differences, and as the head of global diversity, inclusion, and belonging at LinkedIn, she has the opportunity to further that goal like never before. “Excited is an accurate description of how I feel about joining LinkedIn,” she says. “LinkedIn’s vision is to create eco- nomic opportunity for every member of the global workforce, and its mission is to connect the world’s professionals THE NEXT to make them more productive and GENERATION more successful. Developing the global OF LEADERS strategy to connect diverse talent with opportunity and contributing to a cul- Outside of her work at ture that seeks to create an experience LinkedIn, Rosanna M. Durruthy is involved in a of belonging for all of employees are number of organizations definitely on my short list.” that promote diversity and Getting to a place in her career inclusion in other ways. where her goals align so well with the One such organization is the PhD Project, which mission of her company was no easy helps African Americans, feat, though. Durruthy overcame many Hispanic Americans, and obstacles to get to this place. Native Americans attain At age sixteen, while she was attend- business PhDs and become the business professors to ing Harvard University, Durruthy’s par- mentor the next generation ents’ marriage began to fall apart. This of leaders. family tragedy even left her homeless “When the PhD Project for some time, but she persevered. launched in 1994, there were fewer than three “Learning and change have always hundred Black, Latino, been important to me,” she says. “I and Native American busi- understood that challenge is a natu- ness professors teaching ral element in life. My parents raised in universities across the US,” Durruthy says. “It was me with a strong work ethic, freeing obvious to me that the lack me from any sense of entitlement. I’m of diversity in university particularly thankful that my mom business faculty made it always believed in me, and her own difficult for minority stu- dents to have access to resilience has been a great example of role models and faculty courage in the face of adversity.” mentors who could relate Durruthy has brought that same to their experiences and resilience and work ethic with her provide inspiration to pur- sue careers in a broad array to leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, of business disciplines.” Blockbuster, Vivendi, Aequus Group, Since then, the PhD CIGNA, and now LinkedIn. And as she project has helped increase moves forward, learning and change that number to more than one thousand minority will continue to be a focus. professors who have “I am perpetually curious, and I earned doctoral degrees challenge myself to learn and do new in business disciplines. things and build new relationships all Additionally, Durruthy is involved with other orga- of the time,” she says. “I get uncomfort- nizations with similar mis- able with being too comfortable.” sions, such as Prospanica.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 27 CRISTINA FERNANDEZ M c QUISTION

VP, CIO OGE Energy Group

Alma Mater BROWN, STANFORD

28 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 thirst for knowledge has driven A Cristina Fernandez McQuistion her entire life. Having fled Cuba in exile, her parents moved to the US. In their new country, her father completed his medical resi- dency and had a career as a gastroen- terologist, and her mother worked as a school psychologist. In turn, they always encouraged education in their family. “Having to make a new life in the US, they felt very strongly that their educa- tion made rebuilding their lives easier,” she says, “and they passed on that pas- sion for education to me.” Today, McQuistion’s one brother is a dentist, her sister is a psychologist, her other brother is a teacher and artist, and she is now the vice president and chief information officer for OGE Energy, the largest electric utility in Oklahoma.

“I have been driven by a desire to develop a new generation of leaders, to build strong, cohesive teams, ANCESTRAL and to support female INTERESTS leaders in my industry.” Inspired by her paternal uncle, Cristina Fernandez McQuistion has begun At OGE, McQuistion is responsible for to trace her family’s roots back to Cuba and all aspects of the tech and communica- Spain. In her research, tions infrastructure. Unlike many CIOs, she has become particu- McQuistion’s background is not in tech- larly enthralled with her nology. She studied history at Brown first cousin, four gener- ations removed—Emilia and earned an MBA from Stanford Casanova. before she began a career as a consul- Born in 1832, Casanova tant. However, over the course of her was an activist in the career, she began accepting more tech- Cuban independence movement and is known nical roles, driven by a desire to learn for founding Las Hijas de and become a better leader. Cuba, a group created for “I believe that technology is trans- women fighting for Cuban forming all aspects of business,” she independence, in 1869. She continued to fight for says. “Becoming a technology leader has Cuban independence until helped me contribute more fully to the her death in 1897. strategic success of my company.” “She was quite famous Now that she’s been with OGE Energy in her day and even spoke to President Ulysses for a decade, her focus has changed. S. Grant multiple times “As I have progressed in my career, I and addressed the US have been driven by a desire to develop Congress about the Cuban a new generation of leaders, to build independence movement,” McQuistion says. “I want strong, cohesive teams, and to support someone to make a movie female leaders in my industry,” she says. about her life.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 29 MICHELLE FREYRE

President, US Beauty Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.

Alma Mater YALE, HARVARD

30 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hen she was just seventeen W years old, Michelle Freyre had the opportunity to attend Yale University. The daughter of two immi- grants who sought refuge from brutal dictatorships in Latin America, Freyre spoke English as her second language and had never seen snow. Yet, despite how daunting the prospect might have been, she headed for New Haven, Connecticut. “I got on that plane and left Puerto Rico,” she says. “I took a risk.”

“There’s no question that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t been willing to take risks to grow and develop in my career.”

Since then, she has graduated from Yale with a bachelor’s in economics, LEADERSHIP earned an MBA from Harvard Business TIPS School, and built her entire career on Throughout her career, taking risks. In 1999, Freyre began work- Michelle Freyre has con- ing at Neutrogena as a brand manager. sistently moved outside her comfort zone and She thrived, helping the company to honed her leadership maintain its status as the top facial care skills. To her, there are a brand in the country, and was happy in few simple steps to being her marketing role at the company. In a good leader. First, she says, you 2006, however, her mentor, Michael have to set a clear, inspira- McNamara, convinced her to take a role tional vision for your team in sales rather than marketing. so that they know where “My first thought was ‘Sales? Ugh, so they are going and how. Then, you have to person- tactical!’ But I decided to try it for one ally engage them to feel year and ended up absolutely loving it,” empowered to dream big Freyre says. “I ended up growing in sales and work together. for the next eight years—and taking my “As a leader, I believe that fostering a culture career to the next level as a more well- that embraces diverse cul- rounded business leader.” tural backgrounds, expe- Freyre took another risk in 2016 riences, and viewpoints is when she was offered the job of presi- just as important as deliv- ering exceptional business dent, US beauty, for Johnson & Johnson. results,” she says. To take the job, she would have to move She also wants to her husband and twin babies from ensure each person on Los Angeles to Princeton, New Jersey. her team feels confident in bringing their authentic self Nonetheless, it was an opportunity she to work every day. In turn, could not pass. she wants everyone to feel “There’s no question that I wouldn’t supported. “I want every- be where I am today if I hadn’t been one to feel like I have their back,” she says, “which willing to take risks to grow and always brings out the best develop in my career,” she says. in people.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 31 How do you ensure that you continue to learn and grow?

“The internet is a fabulous way to increase “I travel as much as I can, your knowledge. TED which I think is one talks, Coursera, Khan of the most enjoyable Academy, and Great ways to gain perspective, Courses are all ways and I read as many non- that you can tackle business related books any subject matter and and articles as I can. come away with insight. I’ve also started to take A book I am currently more online courses in recommending is the areas that interest me amazing Designing beyond my profession Your Life by Stanford as that has become professors Bill Burnett more available, but I and Dave Evans. The would like to dedicate book makes you examine much more time to that the big, hairy questions in the future.” about your life.”

RODRIGO VELLOSO DOLORES KUNDA Redbubble Latino Corporate Directors Association

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32 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 “I have always been naturally curious and have always loved solving problems. I am always asking questions “Two things: One, I of colleagues at the firm spend a good amount and peers outside of the of time mentoring, and firm about how they the mentoring process do things to learn and is, I have found, one of apply my learning to our the best ways to learn business environment. about yourself and to I have been told several enforce that growth. times that I am the Two, I invest a great person that ‘runs to deal of time in personal the fire,’ meaning that I and professional embrace a challenge or development through problem and make it my programs that I enroll own until it is solved.” in regularly.”

PATRICIA McCARTHY VERONICA JUAREZ Goldman Sachs Lyft

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THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 33 LORNA HAGEN

Chief People Officer OnDeck

Alma Mater CORNELL

34 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 uman resources was not always H Lorna Hagen’s calling. “It wasn’t my original chosen pro- fession,” she says. “I loved the hospital- ity industry and thought I would be a restaurant owner one day.” Although she was born and raised in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Hagen and her family moved to Ithaca, New York. After finishing high school in Ithaca, she went on to earn a degree in hospitality busi- ness management at Cornell University.

“It wasn’t my original chosen profession. I loved the hospitality industry and thought I would be a restaurant owner.”

The first few years of her career were spent in the hospitality field as a food service director at Aramark. Then, she moved to the retail indus- try at DKNY, where she was presented with a fork in the road: pursue oper - ations or HR. She decided on HR and has since held senior roles at IMG, THE JOYS OF HarperCollins, Dow Jones, Ann Taylor PARENTING LOFT, and now OnDeck. Hagen’s career in HR has been full Outside of work, Lorna Hagen says that, with of milestones. At HarperCollins, she two ten-year-olds and a implemented the company’s first twelve-year-old, she has applicant tracking system, online job little time to devote to application system, and internal com- extracurricular activities. “Raising three tweens pany portal, and she developed the first in New York City is its training programs for managers and own passion,” she says. staff. At Dow Jones, she rebuilt HR func- “However, we are fortu- tion by consolidating functional areas nate to live in such a great city and take advantage of and by designing and implementing all its museums, theaters, strategic directions for global compen- restaurants, and parks.” sation, talent acquisition, and learning She adds that she has and development. Now as the chief peo- had a good deal of time to travel for pleasure ple officer at OnDeck, she oversees all now. Some of her favor- of HR, internal communications, and ite destinations have facilities management. been Charleston, South Since Hagen joined OnDeck, the Carolina; Isla Holbox, Mexico; and Vieques, company scaled and completed a suc- Puerto Rico. Next, she cessful IPO—one of the largest venture plans to visit Cartagena, capital-backed tech exits in New York Colombia, home to a series history. And as the company continues of colonial fortresses and monuments that are col- to grow, she will continue to grow as lectively a UNESCO World a leader. Heritage Site.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 35 VERONICA JUAREZ

Head of Enterprise Initiatives Lyft

Alma Mater STANFORD

36 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 or two years, Veronica Juarez F worked with local governments around the US so that Lyft could enter new markets. In fact, she led this effort in more than fifty markets, earning her recognition as one of Fast Company’s “Most Creative People in Business.” However, she’s just now entering the most exciting phase of career as Lyft’s head of enterprise initiatives. “I decided that I wanted to learn about business and how business decisions were made,” Juarez says. “At that time, we had just hired our chief business offi- cer so Lyft could partner with any large organization—businesses, healthcare organizations, government entities, edu- cational institutions, or nonprofits. So I joined the team, and I now help manage the team, execute all of our social impact programs, and lead a portion of our cor- porate business development strategy.”

“Social impact is important to us as a company, and we want to continue to drive ART CAN access and opportunity CHANGE LIVES through transportation.” Outside of Lyft, Veronica Juarez is a board mem- Although the team is responsible for ber of Silicon Valley's Movimiento de Arte y establishing partnerships with Fortune Cultura Latino Americana 500 businesses, the most rewarding (MACLA), an inclusive part of the job for Juarez is the social contemporary art center impact work. For example, Lyft recently grounded in the Chicano/ Latino experience. started working with the International The organization engages Rescue Committee so the organization the community through can use Lyft to transport their refugee visual, performing, and liter- clients to and from appointments, job ary arts and hosts community and youth arts programs for trainings, and other services they need. more than thirty thousand Juarez also spearheaded a program that patrons each year. allows partners to donate 1 percent of “I believe that art is their spend to charities of their choice. extremely important for the education of our youth “Social impact is important to us as and for engendering cre- a company, and we want to continue to ativity,” Juarez says. “At drive access and opportunity through MACLA, we focus on many transportation,” Juarez says. “We are social justice conversa- tions, so my involvement continuously looking for ways to dou- with MACLA really ampli- ble down on that impact.” fies my belief that art can With someone like Juarez at the be used as a form of social helm, Lyft will surely further its social resistance. Because of that, I love the work that efforts, nonprofit partnerships, and we do, and I think that it is business initiatives. extremely important.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 37 DOLORES KUNDA

Member of the Board of Directors Latino Corporate Directors Association, Kellogg Alumni Council

Alma Mater NORTHWESTERN

38 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hen Dolores Kunda was in high W school, her parents offered her a pretty good deal. They said, “Get into the best college you can, and we’ll figure out how pay for it.” So in 1973, she began at Smith College, graduating four years later. But it wasn’t an easy road. For the first time, Kunda was competing with peers that were equally as talented, and as one of the few Latinas in her class, she was also adjusting to culture shock. “It was hard, it was competitive, and it was a game changer,” she says. “The fact that I graduated with the amazing talent in the class of 1977 is a huge bless- ing and has affected my life more than any course of study.” The college must have agreed. In 2012, Kunda was the first Latina awarded the Smith Medal, the highest award bestowed from the college to alumnae who exemplify the true purpose of a liberal arts education. After her formidable experience at Smith, Kunda entered the workforce with a newfound ambition. In 1984, she earned an MBA from Northwestern University, and as she accepted more and more senior positions in advertising, her career became less driven by ambition and more by a desire for more Latino access in business. So she founded Lapiz— one of the largest and most awarded Hispanic advertising agencies in the US—under the Leo Burnett umbrella. “It was very rewarding to advance the US Latino agenda inside a large, well- respected advertising agency,” she says. Since retiring from Lapiz in 2013, Kunda has not wavered in her mission of driving Latino success. Kunda is an active board member in the Latino Corporate DC TIES Directors Association and the Kellogg Alumni Council. In both organizations, Dolores Kunda grew up in a Kunda focuses on Latino participation. suburb of Washington, DC, something that’s she very “My passion for US Latinos and Latinas proud of. In fact, she was in the corporate boardroom comes from a tour guide in the History my own experience,” she says. “Ethnic and Technology Building of diversity is being proven to lead to bet- the Smithsonian Institution while in high school. ter decision-making and increased share- Although her illustrious holder value. American business needs career has given her a to make gender and ethnic diversity an résumé that far outweighs imperative at the C-suite and the board- a tour guide position, she still fondly remembers room level. It’s not about social justice; the time and is grateful it’s about increasing shareholder value.” for the experience.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 39 MICK LOPEZ

Chief Financial Officer

Alma Mater UCHICAGO, GEORGETOWN

40 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 hroughout his career, Mick Lopez T has traveled to all the major con- tinents, racked up more than two million air miles, lived in Paris and Rio de Janeiro, and fulfilled many lifetime goals. “I consider myself a hard-working, lucky Cuban accountant,” he says. “I’m very fortunate to have most of my dreams and aspirations become reality through a great education and perseverance.”

“I consider myself a hard- working, lucky Cuban accountant. I’m very fortunate to have most of my dreams and aspirations become reality.”

Born to parents who immigrated to the US from Cuba in 1961, Lopez was raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. When he was looking at colleges, Lopez couldn’t decide between pursuing a career in law or business. So he chose a school that presented him with both options and an opportunity to focus on international studies. While at Georgetown, Lopez worked as an intern for his congressman from Puerto Rico. He concurrently was doing research for a Georgetown finance professor. He later decided that he’d like to be a CFO one day. A FAMILIAL Since then, Lopez has earned an MBA PILGRIMAGE from the University of Chicago and held Mick Lopez has recently senior finance positions in a variety of been interested in ancestry, industries, though he’s specifically and he has traced his fami- focused on tech. In 2011, his dream of ly’s roots back four hundred years from Cuba to Spain. being a CFO came true when he joined In the coming months, he software company Aricent Group. He’s plans to take trips to both since held two CFO positions at Harris Cuba and northern Spain Corporation and Veritas Technologies. to visit his ancestral lands. “I am very proud of my Working in tech has not only Latin lineage,” he says. helped Lopez achieve his goals, but That same pride is the it’s also pushed him to continually reason why he’s focused grow and learn. on being diverse and global in his career. In fact, he’s “In technology, you must not only stay built teams around those fresh with the latest engineering but principles. especially with new business models,” “A team of diverse indi- he says. “Right now, I just enjoy working viduals is so much more effective and required in an with brilliant people, winning in the international environment,” market, and being able to give back.” he says.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 41 LUCINDA MARTINEZ

SVP, Multicultural & International Marketing HBO

Alma Mater COLUMBIA

42 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 xcellence isn’t an option for Lucinda E Martinez; it’s a requirement. After her parents emigrated from the Dominican Republic, they were deter- mined to give US-born Martinez and her brother a more promising future. She more than lived up to her par- ents’ high expectations. Martinez graduated from Columbia University and quickly made a name for herself professionally before joining HBO in 1995 as an associate manager of direct marketing. After a five-year hiatus from HBO, Martinez returned to the company in 2002. As she has climbed through the network’s ranks, she has made it a pri- ority to champion shows that spotlight people of many different backgrounds.

“You’re only as good as the relationships you’ve developed and fostered.”

In her current role as senior vice pres- ident, multicultural and international marketing, she oversees all branded targeted marketing efforts to African American, Latino, Asian, and LGBT audi- CHANGING ences and has given greater access to HEARTS talent from underrepresented groups. “The most recent work I’m proud Lucinda Martinez’s pas- of is the launch of our new series sion to instigate changes goes beyond her work Insecure,” she says. “We developed a at HBO. She serves on comprehensive, unique targeted pro- the New York board motional campaign that launched an of the American Heart amazing new authentic voice to the Association, where she launched the inaugural television landscape.” Latino Health Summit Insecure was created by comedians Issa aimed at reducing car- Rae and Larry Wilmore and features a diovascular disease and predominantly black cast. The show’s sec- promote heart health in the Latino community. In ond season aired in the summer of 2017. 2011, Martinez received For Martinez, a major component of the Time Warner Andrew her success at HBO comes from the rela- Heiskell Community tionships she’s cultivated and nurtured. Service Award for her work with the organization. “You’re only as good as the relation- “As a heart disease sur- ships you’ve developed and fostered,” vivor, it was crucial that I she says. “I am fortunate that when I figure out a way to create need to reach out to my board of advi- more awareness about the risks of heart diseases sors they show up for me. And that’s in our communities,” because I’ve shown up for them.” Martinez says.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 43 How do you leverage your network to seek out personal or professional opportunities?

“Asking my friends for help or ideas is easy. Cubans use the expression palanca— translated as a lever, as in leverage. It means to help each other and be willing to recommend “I have an ‘old girls’ or support others, network’ of strong, especially those in your professional women community or network. that I rely on. It’s I’m always willing to do important to keep up that for others I know. your friendships from Sometimes all that’s high school and college. needed is a call or email Every time you work introduction or a quick with someone, it’s an coffee to help a person opportunity to meet a think through career prospective new client, plans and connect with employer, or partner.” my network.”

ANGELA L. PADILLA CRISTINA FERNANDEZ McQUISTION Uber OGE Energy Group

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44 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 “Being somebody who loves people, it’s easy for me to reach out and ask somebody to have a coffee, have a meal, share some time with me. Because I’m so passionate about the work that I do, it’s “I use my network as also not hard to ask a sounding board. for help when we need In my role, I’ve had it, whether that’s help the opportunity to in connecting with meet some incredible a partner or help in individuals who I funding a new project. call on, and they call I really see it as social on me to share ideas and something that I and thoughts on the enjoy doing.” industry.”

JESSICA REEVES FREDDY ROLÓN Voto Latino ESPN Deportes

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THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 45 PATRICIA M c CARTHY

Managing Director, Investment Management Division Goldman Sachs

Alma Mater HARVARD

46 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 or Patricia McCarthy, her heritage F is essential to who she is. In fact, she says it’s impossible to quantify its importance. “Being born into a Cuban family and raised in Miami is who I am,” she says. “It is the essence of me. I naturally break into Spanish when I can and love it. If I hear a Spanish beat, I naturally move to it. In my biased opinion, I feel that Hispanic culture has an innate joy.” In addition to being a culture of joy, McCarthy says Hispanic culture, to her, is a culture of hard work. Her grand- parents fled a comfortable life in Cuba to be free. Her maternal grandmother, who had been a judge, then worked for a time picking tomatoes, and her other grandmother worked as a seamstress.

“In my biased opinion, I feel that Hispanic culture has an innate joy.”

“My grandparents, parents, and aunts NO JOB TOO and uncles taught me that you should BIG OR TOO take pride in your work,” McCarthy says. SMALL Taking pride in her work, McCarthy As she’s stepped into more graduated summa cum laude from Florida leadership roles over her International University and cum laude career, Patricia McCarthy from Harvard Law School. Since then, believes in leading by example and showing her she’s held prominent roles at Davis Polk & team that no task is too Wardell LLP, Univision Communications, great or small. and now Goldman Sachs, where she’s “I show others that the currently a senior member of the work they are doing is important by focusing on Private Wealth Management Global it in detail and exhibiting Management team in the Investment a willingness to jump in Management Division. And she wouldn’t and help get things done,” hold that role today if she weren’t ready she says. To that end, McCarthy to step outside her role as lawyer when also recommends that she had the chance seven years ago. leaders should get to “When first presented with the oppor- know the people on their tunity, I was worried about leaving a sup- team. If you know individ- uals’ strengths and weak- portive team and a role that I was good nesses, you’ll always know at,” McCarthy says. “Despite my hesita- the right person for the job. tion, I embraced the role and dug into “Some really good it like I had my previous role. I quickly people in some roles do not realize success when realized I could leverage what I’d learned moved to other roles,” she previously and that I could quickly come says. “I think this is often up to speed and leverage my existing because what made them skills while acquiring new ones.” successful in their prior role is a different skill set But that type of hard work is just than what is required for second nature to McCarthy. the new role.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 47 ANITA ORTIZ

VP, Global Inclusion Strategy – West Coast Viacom

Alma Mater PRINCETON

48 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 n her role at Viacom, Anita Ortiz I partners closely with many depart- ments to create effective employee engagement and workforce develop- ment programs that foster a culture of inclusiveness. It’s a path that she didn’t necessarily envision when she pursued a career in the entertainment industry after graduating from Princeton, but it’s a cause deeply rooted in her upbringing. While growing up, Ortiz’s father was in the military. So although she was born in South Carolina, she lived all over the Western Hemisphere: the East and West Coasts, Panama, and Colombia. “Having grown up in so many diverse places, I have a strong curiosity and openness toward other cultures,” she says. “Ultimately, this led me to a career GIVING BACK in inclusion. After all, as part of the Outside of her work with human condition, we yearn for a sense Viacom, Anita Ortiz is of belonging and want to feel acknowl- involved in many charitable edged and appreciated for who we are.” organizations. “First and foremost, as the daughter of a cancer survivor, I am deeply com- “Nothing beats a good mitted to organizations story, and I’m proud to be like Stand Up to Cancer and the Ovarian Cancer part of an industry where Research Fund Alliance storytelling reigns.” that are working towards a cure, as well as Cancer Support Community that However, her work in inclusion isn’t offers invaluable resources to families impacted by the the only rewarding part of her career disease,” she says. at Viacom. After all, Ortiz pursued the Additionally, she is an entertainment industry for a reason. ardent champion of The “I’ve always been a creative per- Posse Foundation, which helps develop young lead- son, but the entertainment industry ers and helps them gain seemed out of reach at first,” she says. access to higher education Although she felt it was a long shot, opportunities. In essence, Ortiz was undeterred, and she eventu- the foundation identifies public high school stu- ally wound up at Paramount Pictures, dents with extraordinary where she landed an entry-level role in academic and leadership the international television marketing. potential who may be over- Now, nearly twenty years later, Ortiz is looked by traditional col- lege selection processes. not only committed to advancing diver- “I have yet to meet a sity and inclusion, but she also loves Posse scholar who has being part of such a creative industry. not impressed me,” Ortiz “While the entertainment business says. “Even though I had an amazing experience is nowhere near as glamorous as it may at Princeton, I sometimes appear, I am grateful for the countless wonder how different it experiences I have had because of it,” might have been if I had she says. “Nothing beats a good story, the strength of an organiza- tion like Posse behind me. and I’m proud to be part of an industry I can’t lavish enough praise where compelling storytelling reigns.” on them.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 49 ANGELA L. PADILLA

Associate General Counsel, Litigation, Employment Law & Labor Relations Uber

Alma Mater COLUMBIA, HARVARD

50 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 s the associate general counsel, A litigation, employment law and labor relations, at Uber, Angela L. Padilla is facing the greatest chal- lenge of her career. “Everyone wants us to fail,” she says. “Competition is fierce. There are few laws and regulations that apply to our business model. ” Padilla, however, is no stranger to overcoming adversity. She grew up in a modest, working-class neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised by a single mother, as her father was murdered when she was three years

“I push myself to go outside my comfort zone and try something that scares me every day.”

old. Still, she went on to become a cham- pion debater in high school and got in to Harvard University. Then, she began to explore law as a career option. “I decided to pursue law because PRO BONO I am a natural advocate,” she says. “I WORK was also passionate about women’s As a natural advocate, rights. I interned in the Brooklyn Angela L. Padilla believes District Attorney’s Office, Sex Crimes pro bono work is central to Unit during college, and that sealed my her career. “Pro bono work is very interest in becoming a trial attorney.” important to me,” she After graduating magna cum laude says. “But it is difficult from Harvard, she went on to earn a to find opportunities for JD from Columbia Law School. Since in-house counsel to do pro bono work.” then, she’s been a litigation partner Still, Padilla makes time at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a to contribute her skills to partner at Morrison & Foerster, and a worthy causes, concur- deputy district attorney in the Santa rently serving as founder and board cochair of Clara District Attorney’s Office, before Family Dog Rescue, a moving in-house at VMware. nonprofit animal shelter in Throughout her career, Padilla has San Francisco. been recognized as an expert in constitu- Additionally, she serves as a mentor to colleagues, tional challenges to anti-discrimination especially when it comes to policies, including a victory in the Ninth the intersection of technol- Circuit on behalf of the City of Oakland ogy and law. in Good News Employees v. Oakland, et al. “I am proud to be one of the few Latina leaders Now that’s she’s at Uber, she’s sure to in law and technology,” continue to grow as a legal expert. she says. “I am passionate “I take on new challenges every day,” about mentoring younger she says. “I push myself to go outside my people of color in technol- ogy and law. We need a comfort zone and try something that better pipeline starting in scares me every day.” high school and college.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 51 PEDRO PIZARRO

President and CEO Edison International

Alma Mater HARVARD

52 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 edro Pizarro originally wanted to P be a doctor, not an energy indus- try executive. After his family moved from Puerto Rico to Florida while Pizarro was in the ninth grade, he focused on his studies, with the goal of becoming an MD, and secured a schol- arship to Harvard. “I went to Harvard sight unseen,” he says. “I had never even seen snow. It was a very different experience, but I was drawn to the place, and it turned out to be a great place, not only to get an education but also to grow up.” In 1987, Pizarro graduated magna cum THE FUTURE laude with a degree in chemistry. Instead OF ENERGY of pursuing a medical degree, though, he Pedro Pizarro is glad to be went on to earn a PhD in chemistry from a part of a company that the California Institute of Technology. has seen many changes. In After some time at global management fact, the company can trace its roots back to 1886. consulting firm McKinsey & Company, Since then, the energy Pizarro began his career at Edison in landscape has evolved 1999. Now, he’s the president and CEO significantly. Today, nearly of Edison International, the parent com- 30 percent of electric- ity provided to Southern pany of Southern California Edison, one California Edison’s cus- of the nation’s largest electric utilities, tomers comes from clean and Edison Energy Group, a portfolio of renewable resources, like competitive businesses that provide com- large solar and wind farms, and more than 37 percent mercial and industrial customers with of electric power pro- energy management and procurement vided is emissions free. services and distributed solar generation. With about $4 billion in “Edison is an iconic company with a annual investment into its infrastructure, Southern rich history and culture,” Pizarro says. California Edison is “For more than 130 years, we have been responding to today’s a big part of the growth of Southern demands and preparing California, starting with bringing elec- for future needs, while providing its customers tricity from our Big Creek hydroelectric reliable, safe, affordable, system of dams and powerhouses deep and clean power. As the in the Eastern Sierra mountains, hun- energy industry continues dreds of miles away, and developing to evolve, Pizarro believes Edison International will be some of the first high-voltage transmis- a leader in that change. sion lines in the country. It’s not lost “With the development on me that, as CEO, I’m part of a very of new technologies and special story. All of us at Edison are with most of the world focused on the importance stewards of this institution. It was here of decarbonization over before us, and our job is to make sure the next several decades, that it’s here well after us.” we have an opportunity to Outside of his role as CEO, Pizarro is think about how smart uses of electricity can benefit also a member of Edison International’s customers economically board of directors. Additionally, he and benefit society through serves on the boards of Argonne greenhouse gas emissions National Laboratory, Electric Power and pollution reduction,” he says. “The electric power Research Institute, and the Edison grid will be the key enabler Electric Institute. of this.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 53 JESSICA REEVES

Chief Operating Officer Voto Latino

Alma Mater GEORGETOWN

54 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 fter earning a degree in psychology A from Boston College, Jessica Reeves began a career in the fast-paced adver- tising world of New York City, working with Fortune 500 brands and building her reputation. As she developed her professional skills, Reeves began to focus on the Hispanic market and moved to Austin, Texas, to pursue her interests at an award-winning, Hispanic-focused advertising firm. Although Reeves was closer to her hometown of El Paso, Texas, and gain- ing great exposure, something wasn’t quite right. GROWING “Eventually, I really felt like I was UP ON THE just selling products to my community BORDER versus helping them, and in this case, it was pizza and beer,” she says. “I didn’t see Jessica Reeves was raised that it was helping the community that I in El Paso, Texas, and iden- tifies as Texican, as her was trying to get closer to and trying to father is of Irish and Italian serve. That’s when I looked into master’s descent and her mother’s programs and found an amazing oppor- family is from Mexico. tunity at Georgetown to take these les- Growing up with two dif- ferent cultures, so close to sons I had and this background I had and the US–Mexico border, had shift it into an NGO or nonprofit. a profound effect on her. So, in 2010, Reeves moved again “I think that growing from her native Texas back to the up on the border had a lot to do with my love of East Coast to earn a degree in Latin exploring other cultures,” American studies from the prestigious she says. Washington, DC, university. After As she got older, she entering the program, she quickly began to notice the remark- able wealth disparity found Voto Latino, which aligned per- between nearby Juarez, fectly with her passions. Mexico, and El Paso. El Voto Latino is a nonprofit that seeks Paso had a public university to educate, engage, and empower the with large, beautiful new buildings, while Juarez was Latino population to be agents of change dotted with shanty towns. through grassroots campaigns, media Many places in Juarez campaigns, and other programs. Today, didn’t even have electric- Reeves is the organization’s chief oper- ity. It was that experience that helped propel Reeves ating officer, in charge of fundraising, into her current career and developing partnerships, and creating inspired her curiosity in new programs. In 2012, she helped understanding how such cofound National Voter Registration Day similar communities could be so disparate. along with other organizations, and just “It was an interesting last year, she oversaw Voto Latino’s voter contrast for me, just seeing registration effort, which registered that right across the border, more than 177,000 voters. a couple feet away, people could live such different Now that Reeves is empowering the lives and have such differ- community that she’s always wanted ent opportunities and life to serve, she’s found exactly what she’s outcomes,” she says. “In wanted to do with her life—but that the US, we have this oppor- tunity. That’s not the case doesn’t mean she won’t always continue everywhere. Some people to learn and grow. take that for granted.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 55 What guides your leadership philosophy?

“I’d sum up my “My philosophy is to philosophy of leadership lead by example. If I with the following: expect courage, I need First, leaders make to be courageous. If I things happen that expect honesty, I need wouldn’t have happened to be honest. If I expect otherwise. Second, excellence, I need to leaders are not created be excellent. Because by titles or reporting leadership is about structures. They are being the leader you created by followers who want others to be, I believe in their promise don’t struggle with and are willing to stake giving people direct their social, human, feedback. I know that my and financial capital to direct and transparent implement that vision. style may make people Lastly, I believe that uncomfortable, but that’s almost everyone has the my guiding principle.” potential to lead.”

DIANE CRUZ-BURKE ROSANNA M. DURRUTHY Eli Lilly and Company LinkedIn

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56 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 “When it comes down to leadership, I believe in setting a clear, exciting vision and being the first to roll up my sleeves and lead by “My philosophy is to lead example. You can trace by example and to be a that back to seeing my servant leader. Those are mom work so hard. She the two guiding posts. inspired me, and I hope If I can’t do something, I can inspire others. I’m not going to expect Secondly, I believe in others to do it; that’s openness and frequent number one. Number communication. I spend two is that leadership is time with my teams and about serving. It’s about talk openly about our serving others, and so goals and expectations. there’s nothing stronger Lastly, I want to develop than doing that. It’s not my teams and make about building walls; it’s them better.” about building bridges.”

JORGE URRUTIA DEL POZO VICTOR ARIAS Digital Strategy and Operations Leader Korn Ferry International

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THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 57 CARLOS RODRIGUEZ

President and CEO ADP

Alma Mater HARVARD

58 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 arlos Rodriguez was born in Cuba C and spent his childhood in a com- fortable, middle-class home. His parents owned a business and several rental properties, but when things began to change in the country, his family moved to Miami. In the US, he was met with new challenges. English wasn’t his parents’ first language, and they didn’t hold col- lege degrees. So his father delivered hotel room service, and his mother became a clerk for a trucking company. Through these jobs, they persevered and helped their children attain a better future. “Despite the fact that neither of my parents attended college, they always encouraged education in our family,” Rodriguez says. He did well in school and followed in his brother’s footsteps to Harvard, earning a bachelor of arts and a mas- ter of business administration from the prestigious university. Now, he’s been DIVERSITY at ADP, a provider of human resources AT ADP management software and services, Diversity and inclusion have since 1999. During his time with the been priorities for Carlos company, he’s held a variety of posi- Rodriguez since he became tions and seen many changes. CEO of ADP. “Diversity is extremely “The world is in a very different important to me and to place today than it was when I started ADP as an organization,” at ADP almost twenty years ago,” he he says. says. “Over the course of my tenure, One such initiative is the Supplier Diversity initia- we’ve seen a host of economic and reg- tive, in which the company ulatory shifts that have created both seeks to create partner- benefits and challenges for businesses ships with diverse suppli- of all sizes. It’s been rewarding to be a ers. In doing this, ADP is building relationships with part of a company that has helped so and purchasing goods and many clients navigate these challenges services from certified and achieve their business goals.” diverse enterprises owned And with the advent of new technol- by minorities, women, vet- erans, and LGBT people. ogy, Rodriguez sees a bright horizon for Not only is this initiative a the global human resources manage- priority, but Rodriguez also ment software and services provider. wants to ensure the com- “We’ve also seen major changes in pany reflects those values as well. how technology can empower com- “At ADP, we want our panies to run their businesses and people to reflect the mar- improve their employee experience, ketplace and the commu- and we’ve been able to better partner nities we serve all over the world, and we do that by with our clients as a result,” he says. building a diverse associate “Now we’re helping them in new ways, population and diverse ven- using data and analytics to see ahead dor relationships,” he says. of potential issues and leveraging our “For me, diversity is not an add-on thing, but rather a ecosystem of partners to better attract, core part of our business retain, and engage their employees.” and ultimately our success.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 59 FREDDY ROLÓN

VP and General Manager ESPN Deportes

Alma Mater DARTMOUTH

60 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 rowing up in a diverse area in the G Bronx, Freddy Rolón was at the intersection of many cultures. His par- ents were from Puerto Rico, and he spent his childhood in the shadows of Yankee Stadium, listening to a soundtrack of salsa and hip-hop at home. “I learned to cherish Puerto Rican cul- ture and traditions at home while simul- taneously being shaped by the unique experience of growing up in New York City,” he says. “That bicultural heritage and upbringing colors every aspect of my personal identity. It has also had a tremendous influence on my career.”

“That bicultural heritage and upbringing colors every aspect of my personal identity.”

Now his cross-cultural roots are com- ing to bear as the vice president and general manager at ESPN Deportes. He and his team manage content for ESPN’s Spanish-language audio network and digital sites, and they acquire rights and programs for the television net- work. Additionally, his team leverages their expertise to help grow Hispanic viewership for all ESPN platforms. “Given these responsibilities, I work in an environment where I switch back and forth from English and Spanish con- stantly,” he says, “and like many Latino sports fans, I split my attention between fútbol, béisbol, football, and basketball.” Before joining ESPN full-time, Rolón OFF THE interned there while working on his CLOCK MBA at Dartmouth. He found a place Outside of work, Freddy in then-emerging ESPN Deportes after Rolón enjoys spending school. In his thirteen years with ESPN, time with his wife and three daughters. He says he has held a variety of positions, and he that he tries to share his sees a bright future ahead of him there. love of reading, drawing, “The culture is amazing. There is sci-fi movies, and sports an openness to good ideas no matter with his children. “I have to confess where they originate, and employees that I have passed on my at every level have access to our senior Yankees, Giants, Knicks, leaders,” Rolón says. “Every day I work and Barcelona fandom on with some of the smartest people in to them as well, except for the one Madridista in the the industry who exhibit an incredible group; there’s always one drive to win and innovate.” in every family,” he says.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 61 MANUEL “MANNY” SANCHEZ

Partner Sanchez Daniels & Hoffman LLP

Alma Mater UPENN

62 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 f it weren’t for Perry Mason, Manny I Sanchez might have been a priest. Like many men who grew up in the 1960s, Sanchez was educated by Franciscan nuns, and he considered entering the seminary. However, one afternoon while waiting to watch The Three Stooges, he accidentally caught an episode of the 1960s courtroom drama, and it changed his life. “I saw Perry Mason on television, and I thought, ‘That’s what I’d like to be,’” Sanchez recalls. “I thought this guy has three things going for him. One, he wasn’t doing hard manual labor. He was acting before an audience. Two, he EDUCATION wears a suit, and I’d like to dress like IS ESSENTIAL that every day. And three, he’s winning. So, I’ve built my career on winning.” Throughout his career, Manny Sanchez has been driven by a strong belief “To be successful, you that education can uplift the Hispanic community. need to demonstrate In addition to raising funds leadership every day. You for his alma maters, he has need to walk the walk.” also raised money for and been deeply involved with organizations, such as the And he has. Since earning his JD Chicago Scholars Fund, from the University of Pennsylvania in Ounce of Prevention, the Academy for Urban 1974, Sanchez has established himself School Leadership, and as a successful trial lawyer who special- the Museum of Science & izes in product liability, construction, Industry. In 2011, President professional liability, employment Barack Obama appointed Sanchez to the President’s law, civil rights, and commercial and Advisory Commission on toxic tort defense litigation. In 1987, Educational Excellence he founded his own law firm—Sanchez for Hispanics. Daniels & Hoffman—and has grown it Although he’s been rec- ognized for his fundraising into one of the largest minority-owned efforts in higher education, and -controlled law firms in the US. Sanchez renewed his focus Over the course of his career, Sanchez on early childhood edu- has won favorable verdicts in more cation, especially with his involvement with Ounce of than seventy-five cases. Prevention—which specifi- “To be successful, you need to demon- cally focuses on providing strate leadership every day,” he says. educational opportunities “You need to walk the walk.” to children younger than five in low-income families. In addition to his legal work, Sanchez “I think early educa- has been deeply involved with several tion is essential,” he says. organizations, such as the Chicagoland “If they’re only speaking Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, he Spanish at home, they’re already behind a lot of has helped raise millions of dollars for children when they enter charitable organizations, such as the American public schools. Gary Sinise Foundation and many educa- We need to expose chil- tion funds, including at his alma maters, dren in our community to early education from the Northern Illinois University, UPenn Law time they’re born through School, and Holy Trinity High School. age four.”

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 63 JORGE URRUTIA DEL POZO

Digital Strategy and Operations Leader

Alma Mater MIT

64 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 orge’s mother taught him the J value of hard work. While he was growing up in Madrid, she raised Jorge and his two brothers, worked a full-time job, worked toward a college degree, and did all the work around the house. “I remember my mom studying at 5:30 am, helping me with my home- work, going to work, and cooking for our family,” he says. “She is the most impressive person I know.” Eventually, she earned a law degree from Open University. And although he says he didn’t have a specific call- ing when it was time to go to college, Jorge brought the strong work ethic his mother taught him with him to Universidad Pontificia Comillas, where he studied international business administration. Upon graduation, he joined The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he spent the first ten years of his career, with a two-year break to earn an MBA from MIT.

“I was not just looking to learn; I was looking WANDERLUST to make an impact and Throughout his entire work on problems in life, Jorge has wanted industries I loved.” to travel. When he was younger, he says his family rarely left Spain. “When I started my career, my only “But I was different,” objective was to learn as much as I he says. “I wanted to see could about the business world,” he the world.” So under the guise says. “After graduating from MIT, I of learning English, he went back to BCG. This time, however, enrolled in a high school something started to change. I was not program that took him to just looking to learn; I was looking to Dublin for a summer, and then he later spent two make an impact and work on problems summers in the United in industries I loved.” States. Since then, his One industry he was especially passion for exploring far- drawn to was digital media. So since off places has not waned. “I like to travel abroad leaving BCG in 2011, Jorge has held every time I have an oppor- prominent positions at AOL, The tunity,” he says. “I am fasci- Huffington Post, TV network Fusion, nated by different cultures, and, most recently, Digitas, a digital people, food, and places I have never seen.” marketing agency. This past year, he Some of his favor- took a three-month sabbatical follow- ite places have been: ing the birth of his first son. Australia, New Zealand, “After two years driving transforma- Argentina, Israel, Jordan, Peru, Brazil, Colombia, tion at Digitas,” he says, “I am ready for Mexico, Canada, Norway, a new challenge.” and Costa Rica.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 65 RODRIGO VELLOSO

Chief Content Officer Redbubble

Alma Mater UPENN

66 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 odrigo Velloso is a citizen of the R world in the truest sense. A self-described diplo-brat, Velloso grew up in Brasilia, New York City, and Rome, moving as his diplomat father took positions in the Brazilian capi- tal, at the United Nations, and as the Brazilian ambassador to the Vatican. So, when it came time to go to college, he approached his course of study differ- ently than most Brazilian kids his age. “Teens in Brazil typically decide what career they want to pursue before col- lege,” he says. “The concept of a liberal arts bachelor’s degree doesn’t really exist, but I guess I adopted that approach.” At first, he felt torn between pursu- ing his creative side or his mathemati- cal side. As a compromise, he ended up earning a BA in communications and a BS in marketing, which he says helped distinguish him early in his career. Similarly, his global background helped him adapt to different corporate cultures across borders, having held positions in Washington, DC, Rio de Janeiro, Sao EAT Paulo, and now Silicon Valley. In his cur- DANGEROUSLY rent role, developing good working rela- During his time at the tionships have become just as important University of Pennsylvania, as focusing on cutting-edge technology. Rodrigo Velloso and his Velloso’s debut in tech came when closest friends and room- he was offered the position of head of mates would cook together and throw dinner parties. business development, Latin America But when graduation came for Google. Since then, he’s worked at along, they didn’t want to YouTube, Twitter, and now for the online let go of the fun they were art marketplace Redbubble. He’s cur- having, so they collected their recipes and decided rently chief content officer at the compa- to write a cookbook, ny’s headquarters in the Bay Area, which Eat Dangerously. he says is exactly the type of change he “This was in the mid- was looking for when he left Twitter. nineties, and eating healthy was just starting “As a publicly traded company with to become trendy, so we $100 million in revenue and two hun- decided to make our cook- dred employees, Redbubble seemed like book an ode to the rich a good middle ground between a large decadence of great food,” he says. company and a start-up,” he says. Today, you can find the Now, as he helps Redbubble grow, cookbook and more recipes Velloso will surely build new relation- online at EatDangerously ships just as he always has. .com. Recipes are sorted by three categories: dan- “As both a Brazilian and a diplo-brat, gerous to your health, quickly establishing a rapport with dangerous to your budget, others has come naturally and proven and dangerous in other valuable,” he says, “particularly since I ways. Essentially, the web- site is chock-full of indul- started focusing my career on partner- gent creations for people of ships where good relationships are key.” all palates.

THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 67 How have you handled a role or label you didn’t ask for?

“I had no say in labels around my ethnicity, “Many people have and it’s a label others told me, ‘You know are always the one to everybody.’ I never remind me about or believed that, and so I place on me. I embrace didn’t want to own that it. I love it, and I will label. Then, one day, my work to make it a mentor—who is someone positive so that it is I truly believe knows never used to hold everyone in Hollywood— back the sum total of a said to someone, ‘Julie person’s potential. My Ann knows everybody.’ At dad always told me that that moment, I decided as an ‘other’ in America to own it and started you can’t just be good, seeing the advantages of you have to be twice having such a wide base as good.” of contacts.”

JOEL DE LA GARZA JULIE ANN CROMMETT Box The Walt Disney Studios

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68 THE ALUMNI SOCIETY 2017 “I was perfectly happy in my marketing role at Neutrogena when “At a certain point in my mentor, Michael my career, I was offered McNamara, pushed me what turned out to to leave my comfort be a pivotal role in zone and do a rotation my organization. And in sales. He told me while it wasn’t one he saw GM potential I necessarily wanted in me but only if I was to take on—or rather fearless enough to make I wasn’t passionate the leap and develop a about it—I knew that it truly cross-functional would be instrumental understanding of to my growth and the business. My first development. How thought was ‘Sales? did I handle it? I took Ugh, so tactical!’ But it on and crushed it. I decided to try it for It was an immensely one year and ended up teachable and absolutely loving it.” defining moment.”

MICHELLE FREYRE LUCINDA MARTINEZ Johnson & Johnson Consumer HBO

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