This article is part of our Southland Stories series, which highlights our employees and their diverse experiences and backgrounds. By recognizing and supporting our employees in connection to different awareness months and initiatives, we put our people first, directly sharing employee experiences, raising awareness, and fostering connection and inclusion across our company.
At Southland, we value our employees' unique backgrounds and celebrate diverse heritages from across the world. We strive to foster a sense of belonging 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.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, honors the cultures and contributions of people from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. At Southland, it is a time for our employees to reflect on their ancestors' experiences and the opportunities they enjoy today.
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. Through programs like the Latino ERG Exchange, our employees foster 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," Gabriella said.
Beyond structured 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 celebrating diversity and 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.
Diverse 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. 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."
As part of this Southland Stories series, additional people from across Southland shared their sentiments about Hispanic Heritage Month and their heritage.
Sorelly Garcia
"Every gathering, from daily meals to birthdays to grand celebrations, is an experience — never just a moment or task. These moments are opportunities to connect through food, conversations, music, and traditions. These connections help build our support system. This support, along with the example of what past generations have overcome, helps me persevere through life's challenges. Knowing my family is there to trust as I step into unknown territories, just as they once did, brings strength for our future generations to do the same. It has taken me a long time to truly feel this way, but I am a proud, Spanish-speaking, Mexican American woman, empowered by my ancestors, culture, and family values," Sorelly said.
Israel Sumano
"Growing up, both sides of my family were farmers. 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.
Jose Hernandez
"I am originally from Chicago, Illinois, and I am a first-generation Mexican American. My parents are from a small town called Cocula in the state of Guerrero. Although I was born in Chicago, I was raised in Mexico from the age of 5 until I was 13, when my parents decided to move back to the United States. One of the toughest challenges I faced was learning English, as I didn't start learning the language until I was in high school," Jose said.
Allan Nguyen
"It means the world that Southland celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month because I love all aspects of Hispanic culture from the food, family values, and approach to living a plentiful life," Allan said.
Gabriella Valdivieso
"I'm most proud of my Hispanic heritage because it highlights the importance of family and community... Our heritage not only enriches my identity but also fosters a deep sense of pride and connection to our roots, keeping our traditions and values alive and vibrant," Gabriella said.
Aries Rojas
"To me, Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to showcase our cultures and be proud to form part of this big melting pot that the United States is," Aries said.
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.
Senior Content Marketing Strategist
As Senior Content Marketing Strategist for Southland Industries, Lindsay Janssen manages the content lifecycle. From ideation, creation, and editing through distribution, measurement and maintenance, and creating content strategy, Lindsay develops new and innovative ideas for Southland's digital channels.
