Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month

The energy we’re bringing to the end of 2022 is “Level up your (tech) career” and Latinx Heritage Month was no exception! During happy hour, lightning speakers Natalie Ruiz and Amanda Lopez gave us advice on what it really means to show up authentically in the workplace and how we can carve out spaces where we can thrive.

In addition to these two longtime PDXWIT members, we’re putting the spotlight on four Latinx professionals that are leveling up others through community building and advocacy: 

Virgen Barnet used her passion for graphic and web design to found Come Through, where she serves as their Creative Director. Come Through is a space that uplifts BIPOC creators and fosters community building and storytelling. 

Luis Martínez is Founder and CEO of We Tha Plug, an organization that aims to create a stronger Black & Latino tech community by addressing the disconnect between those who break into tech–and the communities they came from. 

Ester Peña helps "a community of thousands of engineers do their best work" as VP of Software Engineering at Travelers. In her off time, she serves on the board of Resilient Coders, an organization that empowers young BIPOC folks with software engineering skills and high-growth career connections.

As a leader, Cecilia Corral keeps people at the center. She not only values diversity and inclusion in her teams, but as Co-Founder & VP of Product at CareMessage, she uses  human-centered design to create innovative solutions for marginalized communities. 

Special shoutout to Nike, our PDXWIT volunteers, as well as ProBono ASL’s interpreters for helping to make our Latinx Heritage Month programming possible! Designs by Naily Y. Nevarez.