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HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE www.hnmagazine.com
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mpowering not only the Hispanic community but each individual to affect real and lasting change is something Raquel Tamez, CEO of the SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers), is truly passionate about. Its what drives Tamez, who was a U.S. Department of Labor trial lawyer and General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of SourceAmerica before taking the helm at SHPE in 2017. Hispanic Network Magazine recently spoke with Tamez about her journey, her biggest challenges and about taking SHPE to the next level.
HNM : Tell us about your background, career journey and how you became CEO at SHPE.
Tamez:
I was born and raised in Houston-in the hood; in the barrio. We didnt have much, but my parents, who emigrated to the U.S. from Mexico several decades ago, instilled in me the belief that I could do anything I put my mind to. I got a full-ride academic scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, which is where I first had designs on pursuing a career in law. I earned my J.D. from St. Marys University School of Law in San Antonio, after which I joined the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) as a trial attorney and prosecutor. After that, I went into the private sector-first at Mary Kay Inc. (MKI), then in a handful of subsequent roles with ever-expanding scope in responsibility. Prior to joining SHPE, I served as general counsel and chief legal officer at SourceAmerica, a national nonprofit with regulatory oversight of an additional 500 nonprofits whose mission is to create employment opportunities for persons with significant disabilities. If I had to pick one through-line that ties my career together, its that Im either on a mission, or Im part of one. Whether its defending the rights of workers and employees at the USDOL or empowering women across the globe at MKI or supporting Hispanic students and professionals become an inevitable force in STEM, Ive always been driven by a commitment to a greater just cause. And that's what SHPE has become for me.
HNM : What accomplishments are you most proud of while working at SHPE?
Tamez:
For me, its helping take this amazing organization to the next level-putting it on the map not just here in the U.S., but globally. Weve increased our membership by 3,500 in less than three years. Weve seen ever-increasing engagement on all social media platforms and record-breaking attendance at all of our signature events across the U.S. and throughout the year. Weve gone from 230 chapters to nearly 300. Weve created new cutting- edge and dynamic programs. And weve built a highly efficient and effective organization with a team that is incredibly resilient, resourceful, and resolute.
HNM : What additional goals do you hope to achieve as CEO?
Tamez:
It's all about elevating SHPE's mission and inspiring an infinite movement and just cause: empowering Hispanics to achieve their full potential in and through STEM. At SHPE, we dont see this as just another D&I (diversity and inclusion) effort; we see it as a way of building something real and lasting and powerful-for our members, our stakeholders, and the broader Hispanic community. And ultimately, for the world. In order to do that, we cant rest on our laurels. As a team and organization, we have to be willing and able to harness change, and transition, transform and transcend as individuals and as a team: becoming more data-driven; creating and delivering cutting-edge programs and initiatives that meet our members where they are; and staying forever nimble, focused, and feisty. The work is fast-paced, ever-changing, and never-ending, and I think thats part of what makes the role so exciting.
HNM : What are your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?
Tamez:
From an organizational perspective, the biggest challenge right now is just keeping people engaged during an incredibly challenging time. How can we continue to bring value to our members and stakeholders? How do we pivot from in-person, on-site events to virtual programs and experiences? The COVID crisis is one of the biggest hurdles SHPE has ever faced. We cannot yet say that weve overcome it. No one can. But we can say that weve risen to every challenge, including the transformation of our National Convention to a mostly seamless virtual event for over 9,000
SHPE CEO Raquel Tamez: Building Something Real, Lasting & Powerful
PHOTO CREDIT: SHPE
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