June 26, 2008
In this issue of NHCC NEWS look for:
- Welcome New Member – Office Max, Inc.
- NHCC Member Highlights
- State Farm Meeting Wrap-Up
- Shell Launches Innovative Education Program in Houston
- Wal-Mart replaces Garland Hypermart with first 'Hispanic community' store
The National Hispanic Corporate Council
Wraps Up another Successful Meeting at State Farm Insurance and
Welcomes its Newest Member
The NHCC is proud to announce the addition of Office Max, Inc. as its newest member. We want to extend a warm welcome to Carolynn Brooks, Vice President Diversity and Inclusion at Office Max, Inc. We look forward to working with her on her efforts to expand Office Max’s presence in the growing Hispanic community.
Carolynn Brooks,
Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion at Office Max
Carolynn Brooks joined OfficeMax in 2001 in the company’s human resources department. In 2003, Ms. Brooks led the human resource activities for the company’s headquarters through the Boise Cascade Corporation and OfficeMax merger and headquarters consolidation. In October, 2006 OfficeMax created the Office of Diversity and named Ms. Brooks Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion with responsibility for developing a strategic and systematic business approach that will create, implement, and monitor diversity and inclusion initiatives that directly support OfficeMax’s business objectives. Ms. Brooks also co-chairs the OfficeMax Diversity Council that was established in early 2006 to accelerate collaboration and program execution. Ms. Brooks began her career in the telecommunication industry with AT&T and MCI Telecommunications in sales, moving into sales development/training and then to the human resources area. Ms. Brooks has more than 15 years experience in human resources.
OfficeMax Incorporated is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products. The OfficeMax mission is simple. We help our customers do their best work. The company provides office supplies and paper, in-store print and document services through OfficeMax ImPressTM, technology products and solutions, and furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 35,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, e-commerce and more than 900 stores.
State Farm Conference Recap
The NHCC recently wrapped up another successful member meeting at State Farm Insurance Companies, corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois. The topic, “Diversity Best Practices, Internally and Externally” was well covered by various distinguished speakers, all experts in their field.
Day one, began with a pre-conference Think Tank: “Leveraging Diversity to Gain Competitive Advantage“ held at Illinois State University. This series was designed for Supplier Diversity professionals wanting to stretch their knowledge and understanding of the evolution in this area. Two separate panels comprised of subject matter experts conveyed key information to over 100 NHCC members and guest. ISU hosted the event and President Dr. Al Bowman welcomed everyone to the state’s oldest institution of higher learning.
William Strauss,Patricia Richards, |
The first presentation, “Achieving Supplier Diversity Goals in a Global Economy” included panelist; William Strauss, Economist, Federal Reserve Bank, Kurt Albertson, Researcher and Strategist, The Hackett Group, Hector Barreto Jr.(former Director of the SBA) National Director of the Latino Coalition, Willie Brown, Executive Vice President, Procurement, State Farm Insurance Company, Patricia Richards, Corporate Supplier Diversity, Shell Oil Company, and Greg Scott, Corporate Supplier Diversity, Sprint Nextel Corporation. This was followed by “Building Brand Equity through Supplier Diversity Spend” and panelist, Cristina Benitez, President, Lazos Latinos, Kurt Albertson, Researcher and Strategist, The Hackett Group, Christine Johnson, PhD., former President, Community College of Denver, Gladys Lopez Medina Corporate Supplier Diversity, American Express, Allen Gutierrez, former COO USHCC, Latino Coalition, and Diego Osuna, Corporate Supplier Diversity, General Mills. “Both panels delivered crucial information that was extremely valuable to those in attendance” said Carlos Soto, NHCC President/CEO. The Think Tank sessions have received positive comments from the participants and will be continued in Atlanta at NHCC’s October Member Meeting hosted by the Turner Broadcasting System. Additional information will be provided via emails and www.nhcchq.org.
Carlos Soto, Edgard B. Rust Jr., |
State Farm Insurance Companies hosted the opening reception at Ewing Manor, a historic 1920’s mansion owned by Hazel Buck Ewing. She bequeathed the home to Illinois State University to create a cultural center to promote international understanding. State Farm’s Chairman & CEO Edward B. Rust, Jr. welcomed the group and reaffirmed their commitment to diversity. The reception guests included conference attendees and Bloomington business and civic leaders. A drawing was held for Fernando Cornejo’s original abstract painting. Jacqueline Johnson of State Farm was the lucky winner.
Fernando Cornejo and Jacqueline Johnson |
NHCC Chair, Michelle Jordan, of PepsiCo opened the member meeting and introduced the keynote speaker Dr. Christine Johnson, Former President of the Community College of Denver. She spoke of the gap between corporations’ need for leaders with a keen sense of cultural sensitivity and the lack of university programs in this area. Luke Visconti, Partner/Co-Founder of DiversityInc presentation provided insight on how companies are structuring their diversity initiatives to meet the needs of the corporations. Carl Kravetz, Chairman/Chief Strategic Officer of cruz/kravetz:IDEAS discussed the importance of developing one’s own leadership style and leveraging the four pillars revealed by the AHAA macro-analysis of four decades of economic research on Latino identity.
Luke Visconti, Jeffery Smith, Bob Reed |
Following the luncheon, workshops resumed with a panel discussion of Best Practices for Leadership development through ERG’s. Moderated by Luke Visconti, the panel included diversity executives, Bob Reed, Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion at AT&T Mobility and Jeffery Smith, Associate Director of Global Diversity at Procter & Gamble. The day concluded with a presentation by Wal-Mart executives Jose “Pepe” Estrada, Director of Ally Development; Mark Espinoza, Sr. Director Hispanic & Asian Markets and Roger Guzman, Sr. Manager Hispanic Markets. They shared metrics for success from community relations of their established programs.
Juana Bordas |
Day three began with a very energetic speaker, Juana Bordas, President of Mestiza Leadership International. She shared the main characteristics of the various Hispanic leadership styles referencing her book, “Salsa, Soul and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age”. The closing session of an outstanding meeting was given by Fernando Mendez, Sr., Ph.D. Consultant and Vice President, Personnel Decisions International. Dr. Mendez shared with our attendees his findings from research data collected on the personal traits and success factors of Hispanic executives.
The conference concluded with a visit to Illinois Wesleyan University’s Young Memorial Center where over 60 area high school students participated in NHCC’s School Program. Dr. Samuel Betances, a noted leadership development and motivational speaker, met with the students. Betances, a high school dropout
who ultimately earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University, addressed the students and talked about the values of continuing their education. In addition, all students were given Dr. Betances’ book, “Ten Steps to the Head of the Class: A Challenge to Students”.
Member News
Shell Launches Innovative Education Program with National Council of La Raza in Houston, Texas
March 19, 2008-The Diversity Outreach Office recently launched Escalera, an interactive after school program at KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Academy in Houston. The program kick off took place on March 13, 2008, at KIPP 3D Academy. Created by the National Council of LaRaza (NCLR) and the PepsiCo Foundation four years ago. Corporate supporters like Shell and PepsiCo have helped to expand the program to sites established within NCLR affiliates. The Shell-sponsored Escalera program in Houston represents the final site selected for this innovative model for academic achievement focused on Latino youth. Other Escalera sites include: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Kansas City and Austin. Present at the launch were NCLR officials, Escalera and KIPP program officials, Shell representatives and 17 participating KIPP students and their parents.
For complete article visit http://www.nhcc-hq.org/news/mem-news.asp
Wal-Mart replaces Garland Hypermart with first 'Hispanic community' store
May 06, 2008. GARLAND – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.'s original Hypermart USA, the precursor to its successful food and general merchandise Supercenter concept that catapulted it into becoming the world's largest retailer, closes today. Today Wal-Mart is replacing that historic store with a new location it's calling its first "Hispanic community" store.
With an estimated 14 percent of its U.S. shoppers being Latino, Wal-Mart in recent years has been tailoring stores, such as its I-30 and Cockrell Hill location in Dallas, to meet the needs of Hispanic families. It has added specialty bakery items, expanded varieties of chili peppers, printed store signs and advertising circulars in Spanish and last year stocked baby Abuelita dolls for Three Kings Day celebrations.
For complete article visit http://www.nhcc-hq.org/news/mem-news.asp
Member Highlights
Michelle Jordan, Senior Manager, Strategic Community Partnerships, at PepsiCo and NHCC Chair is our highlighted member of the month. Thank you Michelle for your contributions to the NHCC.
For complete Member Highlight visit http://nhcchq.org/memberhighlight/Michelle_Jordan.asp
NHCC Next Member Meeting
Save the Date – October 21-23, 2008
Turner Broadcasting System
Techwood Campus
Atlanta, GA
Thank you State Farm meeting sponsors
Your support made the State Farm meeting possible
