Blog

How did you find out about Hispanotech?

In 2019, I attended an event hosted by the Consulate of Colombia along with other organizations aimed at supporting newcomers to Canada. It was there that I met Gabriela Roca and Citlally Rios, who engaged me in the idea of participating in Hispanotech.

What inspired you to become a volunteer at Hispanotech?

I was inspired by a strong desire to help other Latin people succeed and overcome the barriers they face. Volunteering at Hispanotech was a perfect opportunity to give back to my community and support others in their professional journeys.

How did you feel about the experience and what did you do at Hispanotech?

My experience as a volunteer has been incredibly rewarding. I am happy to help others and contribute to the community. At Hispanotech, I worked on developing an algorithm to match mentors and mentees, ensuring a transparent process without any bias or preference.

Tell us a little about your background, and the job opportunity you were looking for…

I am a software developer with over 15 years of experience. Currently, I work as a full-stack software developer for a solar panel manufacturer with operations in Canada and the US.

How has been your Hispanotech volunteering experience, did it help you to get a job?

My experience with Hispanotech has been amazing. Through networking, a person from Hispanotech referred me for a job offer. This led to a contract position, and eventually, the company offered me a full-time job.

Any final recommendation for other members who are not sure whether to become volunteers?

Being a volunteer is an incredible experience. We can learn from others, gain confidence in entering the Canadian job market, and make friends within the Latin community. Everyone is very welcome, and I highly recommend volunteering.

October is Latin American Heritage Month, and we were thrilled to participate on this special vodcast with leaders from the TRIEC Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs).

Leading the discussion is Miguel Abascal, Founder of UnstoppableMe.Rocks, who guides our inspiring guests: Carlos Chalico, President of ALPFA Toronto, Citlalli Rios, Vice-President of Hispanotech.ca, and Alex Gomez, Marketing Director of Latin Project Management Network (LPMN).

Key takeaways include:

• Strategies for overcoming the barriers faced by immigrants through community support
• The transformative impact of mentorship and volunteer-driven programs
• Building inclusive workplaces that empower and celebrate immigrant talent

Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/1eseoiqxZf4 to hear these stories of resilience and success!

In celebration of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, Hola OPS hosted a hybrid event on Monday, October 28.

This was a fantastic opportunity to celebrating our culture with the Hola OPS community, their co-executive sponsors Deputy Maud Murray and Deputy Shawn Batise, as well with live performances by Paula Lopez and Salsa & Sabor | Colombian Dance Academy , food, vendors, and much more!

Sponsored by AMAPCEO, networking with Hispanotech.ca, and featuring products from Luz Arte Creations, Dulce Milay Designs, Matilde Theodoli from Café Centro, Chelito Lindo Mexican Bakery, Yuyo Quilling Art, and Sandra Nathan of Tesoros of Ecuador.

On August 23rd, September 20th, and October 25th we hosted our monthly Happy Friday Networking Events.

Huge thanks to our partners and volunteers from LPMN - Latin Project Management Network and from ALPFA Toronto for their support and this alliance with Hispanotech.ca to empower professionals in Toronto/GTA.

Our monthly Happy Friday Networking Event is a fantastic opportunity to meet and connect with new people, all in a welcoming and informal setting. Expand your network and enjoy a vibrant atmosphere with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Join us on our next event on November 22nd! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/happy-friday-november-22-2024-tickets-1029451776977

Here are some pictures from our three past events

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us on October 17th to celebrate Latin American Heritage! A special thank you to EY for hosting and sponsoring this celebration, which was proudly organized by Hispanotech.ca, LPMN - Latin Project Management Network and ALPFA Toronto.

The evening was filled with insightful discussions on key topics such as adaptability, embracing our roots, and the economic contributions of the Latin community in Canada.

Our amazing panellists shared inspiring perspectives:

1. Carlos Chalico reminded us of the importance of overcoming fear and fostering collaboration.

2. Maruan Haidar, Certified Sr. Agile Coach emphasized the need to stay adaptable, continue learning, and leave a meaningful legacy.

3. Elvira Sanchez de Malicki, MBA encouraged us to believe in possibilities and spread joy to others.

4. Alain Pescador highlighted the power of community and how mistakes are growth opportunities.

Thanks to Alejandro Escalante for moderating and to all the attendees, volunteers, and partners for your invaluable support in making this event a success.

Together, we are building a stronger and more united community!

Check out our video https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hispanotech-ca_hispanotech-latinamericanheritagemonth2024-activity-7253474984231096320-zagG

Subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified when the Panel’s Recording is uploaded. https://www.youtube.com/@hispanotech5811

On October 9th, we were pleased to attend the networking event with dentsu Canada and Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC). This was a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow professionals.

There were representatives of this important company, making this an exceptional chance to expand the attendees’ network and explore new opportunities.

On October 8th, Hispanotech.ca was honoured to be invited to join CIBC Latin Network in their celebration of Latin American Heritage Month. We learned about their commitment to creating a culture of inclusion for team members, clients and their community.

Thank you for your hospitality and your ongoing sponsorship of Hispanotech.ca's mission and programs!

Hispanotech’s President, Carlos Paz-Soldan, and Vice-President, Citlalli Rios travelled to Ottawa on October 2nd.

The occasion was the 7th Annual Latin American and Hispanic Day on the Hill event, where several government officials and public service representatives joined us to celebrate our Latin and Hispanic heritage.

It was a time to come together to honour the community, acknowledge its contributions, and celebrate the vibrant culture, heritage, food, drinks and music of the Latin American and Hispanic communities in Canada.

On September 28th, Hispanotech was present at the Conexiones Latinas event, where a large group of Latinos gathered in one place with experts leading workshops, panels with entrepreneurs, and key organizations in Canada. There was plenty of networking and connections!

Congratulations to Casta Latina for a resounding success.

On September 26th, Hispanotech attended TRIEC’s Professional Immigrant Networks (PINs) Networking Event. This event was designed to bring together employers, immigrant professionals and leaders, and community partners for an evening of insightful discussions and valuable networking opportunities. One of the highlights of the evening were the sector-specific roundtable discussions. These facilitated sessions allowed attendees to engage with colleagues from specific fields, including Accounting and Finance, Information Technology, Engineering, Marketing and Communications, and Healthcare. This was an excellent opportunity to discuss industry trends, share best practices, and explore potential collaborations.

Read this article from TRIEC, ‘Bridging Gaps: How TRIEC’s Talent Connect is Transforming Workforce Inclusion for Immigrant Talent’ for insights on how Talent Connect facilitated in bridging the gap between immigrant professionals and employers! https://triec.ca/bridging-gaps-how-triecs-talent-connect-is-transforming-workforce-inclusion-for-immigrant-talent/