Hispanic Employee Network Inspires Authenticity
Hispanic American TEKsystems employees share how their career journeys have shaped them personally and professionally.
Sept. 27, 2023 | By TEKsystems
At TEKsystems, we’re committed to nurturing an inclusive workplace culture and welcoming diversity into every aspect of our business. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we asked our company’s AdelanTEK Employee Network (EN) members to share their perspectives.
Juan Carvajal
Resiliency, integrity and purpose are the values that shape the Latino community, and they have made me the person I am today. I grew up seeing my parents make a lot of sacrifices for our family. From working long hours and raising a family at a young age to moving our entire family to a different country without knowing the language and starting all over. My parents moved us to Florida in 2006 to provide a better quality of life for my two younger brothers and me. Their dedication to strong moral and ethical principles of hard work helped them to buy a home, pay for our college education and give us access to opportunities that we wouldn't have had otherwise. These values humbled me to not take anything for granted, appreciate every opportunity that has been given to me and never give up.
Nick Perez
TEKsystems gave me my first job, fresh out of graduation from Florida State University (go Noles!). Prior to moving into my current role as the AWS Partner Sales Manager for the CME Vertical, I had the privilege to take on a variety of roles in my career such as account manager, division lead, director of business operations and software asset manager.
I constantly seek ways to better myself personally and professionally. A positive mindset drives self-empowerment and confidence, helping me to avoid limiting my thoughts and goals. Since stepping into my current role about a year ago, I’ve continued to elevate my knowledge around AWS, media, entertainment and gaming to provide world-class service to my partners and customers. TEKsystems has played a major part in helping me achieve my personal and professional goals; my mentors have always encouraged and pushed me to be better, and TEKsystems provides the platform and environment to continue learning and growing. On a personal note, I am constantly looking to better myself to be the most supportive husband.
My Latino roots have played the most significant role in my personal and professional growth and success. My father was born in Cuba, and my mother is first-generation Mexican and Puerto Rican. My parents instilled the value of persistence in pursuing opportunities they never had growing up. Though they lacked experience in the business world, they made up for it by teaching me the core principles of hard work, dedication, growth mindset, loyalty and many more traits that lay the foundation of any successful individual. With my family’s support, I was the first one on both sides of the family to attend and graduate college. After college, my work family and mentors at TEKsystems helped me to transition to the business world to complement the foundations my family instilled.
Maria Krull
Throughout the last decade, I have focused on helping professionals grow in their jobs through training and development. Over the last four years with the Professional Development team, I’ve been honored with growing our Talent Practices team. I live in the suburbs of Maryland with my husband, Sean, my toddler, Lucas, and our fur baby, Boh. I am passionate about helping people, constantly learning and being with friends and family.
When it comes to growth, I embrace each day as a new opportunity to learn. I strive to add value and gain insight into all opportunities. Professionally, I aim to be the best leader I can be for my team and to expand the talent program to benefit the greater organization. Personally, I endeavor to be intentional with my presence and energy, be a role model to my little boy and be the best partner I can be to my husband.
TEKsystems is truly a holistic organization that provides various programs, opportunities and leaders that support me in my personal and professional journey. I have friends, mentors and coaches across the organization that help and support me to be the best authentic version of myself.
I am incredibly proud of being Latina and a first-generation Colombian American; but no matter the nationality, I believe that we all share resilience and perseverance. This appreciation of our culture has shaped my empathy and understanding of the many paths of learning and life. I push myself to grow and honor the hard work and sacrifice my family made to get me here today. I hope to share this with my TEKsystems community and with future Latinx professionals who want to join corporate America. Si se puede!
Justine Diaz Zolna
Early in my career, I struggled with being vulnerable and letting my professional family see who I was and where I had come from. The Latino family here at TEKsystems has created a space for me to be authentic at work. Once I broke through that personal barrier, I was able to fully lean into my work and allow others to help me grow professionally. I am proud of who I am and where I’m from, and with TEKsystems’ support, I have become a stronger leader, wife, daughter and friend.
Before I came to TEKsystems, I struggled to create meaningful goals that helped me achieve the professional growth and success I wanted for myself. Gaining financial stability has helped me surpass many of my personal goals like paying off my school loans, buying a house and exceeding my plans for retirement. Thanks to TEKsystems, I am excited for my future.
Organization and time management are now central to my progress, so every year during Q1, I take the time to create personal, professional short- and long-term goals. With the help of mentors, sponsors and my team, I review my goals monthly or quarterly to stay accountable. If I am not hitting any milestones, I seek help from someone who can give me that extra motivation or feedback to get me back on track.
Since working at TEKsystems, my personal growth and professional growth have climbed in parallel. My professional success is elevating my personal quality of life for both my family and me.