Jennifer Marquez

Associate Director

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

What Hispanic Heritage month means to me, is a month to celebrate Hispanic people, food and culture and how much it influences life in the US. It has so many beautiful contributions to this country and it’s a time to celebrate those.

What advice would you give to young LatinX professionals who are looking to get into the media and advertising space?

The advice I would give is always be willing to start from somewhere and work hard to get to where you want to be and it will pay off.

What is a family tradition you wish to pass down, that your parents/family has passed down to you?

A common scene you will be in a Hispanic household is gathering in the kitchen, all the women in my family often cooking and sitting in the kitchen talking about life and gossiping in Spanish. Its technically not a tradition but its something that I would love my family to experience.

Anais Garcia

Client Investment Lead

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

I feel proud to be Latina all year round, but during this month I pay special attention to our shared stories, elevate our people’s work, honor our roots, and spend a little bit more of my paycheck on Hispanic/Latino brands.

What advice would you give to young LatinX professionals who are looking to get into the media and advertising space?

Coming from perhaps “smaller” markets when compared to the US where English is not our native language only makes us stronger, unique, and equipped to handle the exciting but complex media landscape. Don’t shy away from who you are – it’s our superpower, use it to shine and stand out.

What is a family tradition you wish to pass down, that your parents/family has passed down to you?

Parrandas! During Christmas season, large groups of Puerto Rican’s surprise friends and family in their homes until late in the morning – it’s a bit like bar hopping but you are hopping from home-to-home singing Parranda songs to hopefully be invited in for free food and drinks. The last home makes asopao (stew to bring people back to live so they can drive safely home).

Lesly Servin

Manager, Investment

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month is a time to reflect and share awareness of our origins and showcasing what makes us so proud to be Hispanic/Latinx. This is a time to highlight the growth and adversities our community has had to face/is facing and all the contributions we’ve made to society. It’s a time that allows us to showcase and celebrate our impact as well as Hispanic/Latinx icons, successes, and overall culture through food, dance, music, literature, and artesanía with friends, family, and peers from different cultures.

What advice would you give to young LatinX professionals who are looking to get into the media and advertising space?

View yourself as the voice and representation of our community. I encourage you to shed light on how beautiful our culture is but also embrace your identity as a minority and integrate your Hispanic/Latinx heritage in your own career – you’ll meet people in the space that feel the same and resonate with you even if they themselves aren’t Hispanic/Latinx. Be unapologetically you. Do not view yourself as a minority in a deficit lens but instead through a strengths based and empowering lens and embrace your story/upbringing and never feel like you don’t belong – we need people like you in our industry.

What is a family tradition you wish to pass down, that your parents/family has passed down to you?

Everything! Literally all of the traditions I grew up with like having a piñata at birthday parties to celebrating El Día de los Muertos. Something my family does every year is spending all of Christmas Eve making more tamales than we can possibly eat – we then eat tamales for a week straight. It’s amazing.

Kimberly De Leon

Senior Associate, Programmatic

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

To me Hispanic Heritage Month means there is an opportunity for others to appreciate and learn more about a community that I love and identify as everyday. Growing up I had a lot of confusion around my identity as a first-generation child of Hispanic immigrant parents. Hispanic Heritage month throughout the years gave me the opportunity to learn more about not only my family heritage but also those of other Hispanics in the community that have their own unique traditions and view it through the lenses of others.

What advice would you give to young LatinX professionals who are looking to get into the media and advertising space?

I would advise professionals to be open to opportunities even if it seems impossible, you’re fighting imposter syndrome, or feel lost of where to starts. Having any new experiences, work or school related, will not only further careers, but will help prepare them to enter workforces as a much stronger and will powered individual, with a better understanding of what they would like to focus on in advertising and media space. Lastly, networking with others in the LatinX community! I can only speak for myself, but I would be more than happy to connect with any young LatinX professionals, just reach out!

What is a family tradition you wish to pass down, that your parents/family has passed down to you?

Día de Los Muertos “Day of the Dead” is celebrated in Mexico where my mom originates from. I love the beautiful colors that are in my home when we have the alters filled with relative photos, food favorites, and flowers. It is a tradition I hope to carry on to not only pay respect to those that we lost, but to also learn about our family lineage, gives us moments to rejoice with memories, and creates an everlasting connection with your past loved ones.

Maddy Perez

Associate, Planning

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

To me it means celebrating my culture and my familia (family). It’s a time to honor our history and recognize the contributions and achievements Hispanic people have had in the US and around the world.

What advice would you give to young LatinX professionals who are looking to get into the media and advertising space?

Ponte las pilas and Network. Hard skills can always be taught, but making connections with people will open doors to opportunities.

What is a family tradition you wish to pass down, that your parents/family has passed down to you?

Growing up, my grandparents would arrange a table for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). We had a table with all our ancestors and sugar skulls. We would celebrate them and have a feast. I’d like to continue that in my family.

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