Colleague Spotlight: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, we honor Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. It’s a time of celebration and education—ensuring the histories, cultures, and achievements of Hispanic and Latinx individuals are recognized and appreciated. In celebration of this annual event, we’re spotlighting three of our colleagues to learn more about their culture and what Hispanic Heritage Month means to them.
Isaidys Davis
Senior Demand Generation Manager
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate my Cuban ancestry and Hispanic culture. It is meaningful to take this time to recognize my family’s achievements and to celebrate our connection to our first home.
How has the influence of your culture helped you excel in your career?
Being a foreigner in America has had its challenges, but each hurdle has helped me become more resilient in high-pressure situations. My family is a big inspiration—their own experiences and fiery, can-do attitude continue to motivate me to show up for work each day as the best version of myself.
If you could share your culture with others, what would you share?
Food! A big plate of arroz amarillo con platanitos maduros y yuquita on the side. For as long as I can remember, every celebration and moment of gathering has revolved around food. It’s how we take care of each other best and express our love for one another.
What do you plan to accomplish in the next five years?
Over the next five years, my primary objective is to continue developing and growing both professionally and personally. I aim to sharpen the tools in my professional toolkit by striving for excellence over perfection and by focusing on the opportunities that contribute to the growth of the team and organization. On a personal level, I am committed to a healthy work-life balance and dedicating time to my passions, such as spending quality time with my partner, traveling to new places, and practicing mindfulness each day.
If you could share a piece of career advice with others, what would it be?
My one piece of career advice is to embrace your identity and seek mentorship that aligns with your core values. It’s okay to ask for help and guidance. I owe a lot of the good decisions and accomplishments in my professional life to some fantastic and authentic mentors who took the time to help me find my way.
Ernesto Cruz
Software Architect
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month holds profound significance for me as a time of celebration and pride in our cultural identity and defining attributes. It serves as a poignant reminder of the remarkable growth and substantial contributions our community has made to society.
How has the influence of your culture helped you excel in your career?
Originating from humble beginnings in Cuba, my family imbued me with the invaluable lesson that life’s challenges serve as opportunities for personal growth. This early understanding has been pivotal in my career, fostering an ability to embrace change and overcome adversity. Each presented challenge is a prospect for advancement, and the outcome hinges on one’s approach. Additionally, growing up within a close-knit community taught me the power of collective reliance and the importance of seeking assistance when required.
If you could share your culture with others, what would you share?
I’d definitely want to capture the heartwarming vibe of our community, the strong family ties we cherish, and the sheer joy of our musical heritage. There’s this incredible feeling when we all come together for a lively domino tournament in the neighborhood, with the upbeat rhythm of salsa in the background and relishing some mouthwatering tostones on a lazy Saturday afternoon. It’s the kind of experience that brings us all closer and creates lasting memories.
What do you plan to accomplish in the next five years?
Looking ahead, my goals span both personal and professional horizons. Within ConnectWise, I’m driven to elevate my career and establish myself as a subject matter expert and a dependable resource for others while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of technological possibilities. Gifted with the opportunity and responsibility by ConnectWise, I am committed to influencing the landscape of RMM software and ensuring the triumph of our partners who employ our products and services. Amidst these ambitions, I’m equally excited about nurturing a healthy work-life balance and instilling a sense of pride in my children for our rich cultural heritage. This multifaceted focus propels me to continually refine my skills and approach.
If you could share a piece of career advice with others, what would it be?
Never allow external judgments to circumscribe the potential of your talents, and above all, remain dedicated to perpetual learning. Every challenge encountered is a platform for personal growth and self-improvement. Embracing this perspective enables one to evolve into a more accomplished and refined individual.
Nico Helffrich
Director, Software Engineering
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many things that make Hispanic culture special. It’s a reminder to be proud of my Hispanic background and use its strengths to stand out. Moreover, there is no better time to enjoy tacos!
How has the influence of your culture helped you excel in your career?
For Hispanics, family is very important. I bring that ideal into the teams that I work with. We aren’t just employees, colleagues, or teammates. We are a family that is on a mission. We care for each other, we look out for each other, we support each other, and we celebrate each other. Teams that are connected perform better.
If you could share your culture with others, what would you share?
I highly recommend traveling to a Hispanic country. It’s difficult to put into words just how different and beautiful your experience will be. The food, music, dancing, history, culture—it’s all absolutely fantastic!
What do you plan to accomplish in the next five years?
My goal is to create and deliver value on a larger scale. I am fascinated by everything that goes into finding a problem that people are willing to pay you (hopefully a lot) for and to build teams to deliver the highest value we can. I want to work with others who are equally motivated to accomplish something truly special and to have a rewarding experience along the way.
If you could share a piece of career advice with others, what would it be?
Be open-minded. Try new things. Never stop growing. Truly care about what you do and what you produce.