Southland's Voices: Celebrating Hispanic and Latino Culture

At Southland, we value our employees' unique backgrounds and heritages from across the world. We foster a people first approach by empowering our people to bring their authentic selves to the table. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked our employees to reflect on their heritage and share their experiences in the industry. 

For Christina Rodriguez, Senior BIM Support Specialist, Hispanic Heritage Month holds deep personal meaning. "This month helps us celebrate and recognize the history, culture, and contributions of the Latino community in the U.S. Without the hardships of my ancestors, I would not have the opportunities I do today. I like to honor my ancestors while also celebrating my peers and those who share this journey with me." Christina's reflections highlight the importance of honoring both past and present contributions within the Hispanic community. 

Hispanic and Latino cultures are vibrant and multifaceted, shaped by deep-rooted traditions, communal values, and a strong sense of family. While common threads unite these cultures, each is unique, with diverse expressions based on regional and national origins. 

Gabriella Valdivieso, Learning and Development Business Partner, reflected on how her culture shapes her life today. "The strong connections I have with my siblings and the wisdom my parents share from their upbringing are incredibly meaningful to me. I cherish how our culture blends with American life, allowing me to celebrate and advocate for those from all different backgrounds," she said. 

Empowering the next generation of Hispanic and Latino construction professionals 

At Southland, we are committed to empowering the next generation of Hispanic and Latino professionals by offering guidance and mentorship. Programs like the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program provide critical support, reaching over 10,000 students annually from more than 1,500 high schools nationwide. 

Cristina, who has been involved with the ACE program, shared her experience, "I visited middle schools to assist students in the club with their construction projects. This club sparked my interest in construction when I was in high school, so it was my duty to give back to the program that helped me realize Latina women could be part of this industry."  

Gabriella is also a member of the Latino ERG Exchange, a valuable resource that fosters community and networking among Latino professionals. "The Latino ERG Exchange builds connections among Latino professionals. I also represented the ERG I lead at the National Hispanic Corporate Council (NHCC) roundtable in Tempe, Arizona, where I participated in important discussions and initiatives to advance our community," she said. 

Beyond external programs, experienced professionals play a critical role in mentoring newcomers to the industry. Allan Nguyen, BIM Support Specialist, advises students to embrace the opportunities available. He shared, "Take advantage of all the organizations you come across. While I participated in an educational program in high school, I wish I had been more involved in these programs in college." 

Giving back takes many forms, and as Sorelly Garcia, Estimator II, shared, it often starts close to home. "I volunteer in my predominantly Hispanic and Latino community. These opportunities allow me to help preserve our culture, traditions, and sense of community," she said. 

The importance of recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month within organizations 

Recognizing awareness months is vital to creating an inclusive workplace. Aries Rojas, Project Engineer II, expresses his pride in how Southland acknowledges these important moments.  

"It makes me really proud that Southland celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and that the company invests time in getting to know its employees," Aries said. 

Unique perspectives enrich our company by fostering creativity, innovation, and stronger problem-solving. For Jose Hernandez, BIM Project Lead, working for a company that celebrates the unique backgrounds and experiences of its people is essential. 

"Southland has a very diverse workforce and provides plenty of tools for professional growth. They have given me a lot of opportunities for growth over the past eight years, and they have provided me with the necessary training and tools," Jose said. "A message to the Hispanic community is that regardless of where you come from or where you are, there are opportunities out there. Prepare yourself, work hard, and have a good work ethic to get those opportunities." 

Celebrating the personal experiences of our Hispanic and Latino employees  

For many of our employees, this month is a time to celebrate their culture both at work and at home. These personal stories highlight the values of community, family, and tradition that are central to Hispanic and Latino culture — and that enrich our collective experience at Southland.

Cristina reflected on her family's long-standing traditions: "Every December, our family gathers in Atotonilco el Bajo, Mexico. We participate in ceremonies and parades, representing the Rodriguez family from the United States. We give back by providing meals for the elderly, organizing cleanups, and hosting celebrations of life. This has been our tradition for 30 years." 

Sorelly echoed the importance of honoring family and tradition. She said, "I am proud to be both Hispanic and Latina because of everything instilled in me through our culture, traditions, and family values." 

Similarly, Israel Sumano, Senior Director of Cybersecurity and Infrastructure, shared how his family's farming background influenced his life lessons. "My dad's family owned and farmed land, and my mother's family did the same. Observing the different approaches to farming — my uncles in Mexico using donkeys and oxen, while my uncles in Idaho used huge tractors — has taught me valuable life lessons. Despite the differences, they all live happy, fruitful, and rewarding lives," he said. 

These personal stories highlight the values of community, family, and tradition that are central to Hispanic and Latino culture — and that enrich our collective experience at Southland. As Jose Felsmann, Preconstruction Executive, noted, "The love for family is the nucleus of our culture and heritage, and it's seen here at Southland." 

We encourage all our employees to celebrate and learn from the significant contributions of the Hispanic and Latino communities, not just during this month but throughout the year. For more resources, click here.