Employee Spotlight: Team Interviews around Our People and Culture

Hispanic Heritage Month with Carlos Tejada

I had an excellent conversation with Carlos Tejada, IT Manager at Revenue.io, about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Here are some of his reflections about his experience as part of the Latinx community.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage, achievements, and contributions of the Latinx communities. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our shared history and the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions that make up the Latinx diaspora. It’s also a time to promote awareness and understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by this community.

Who do you look up to in the Latinx community?

There are countless inspiring figures in the Latinx community, including artists, activists, scientists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in various fields. Some well-known figures include Sonia Sotomayor, Cesar Chavez, and Dolores Huerta. However, many individuals, like myself, find inspiration closer to home, in their families, teachers, and local community leaders who have made a positive impact.

What’s something most people may not know about the Latinx community?

Something often overlooked about the Latinx community is the vast range of cultural expressions and influences within it. While it’s commonly associated with Spanish-speaking countries, this community comprises diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous, African, European, and Asian heritages. This diversity enriches our traditions, music, cuisine, and art, making the Latinx cultural tapestry incredibly vibrant and multifaceted.

What would you like to highlight about your own heritage?

As a Dominican growing up in the vibrant cultural mosaic of New York City, I take immense pride in my heritage. What I would like to highlight about my Dominican heritage is the profound sense of community, warmth, and resilience that characterizes us. From the lively rhythms of merengue and bachata that fill our streets to the delicious aroma of Dominican cuisine wafting from local eateries, our culture is deeply embedded in the heart of this city. Moreover, the experiences of Dominican New Yorkers, like myself, reflect the immigrant journey, with stories of hard work, determination, and the pursuit of the American Dream. It’s a heritage that has shaped me and countless others, contributing to the rich variations of cultures that make NYC so special.

What’s it like being a Latinx in tech?

Being a Latino in the tech industry can be both rewarding and challenging. On one hand, it offers opportunities to bring diverse perspectives and ideas to the table, fostering innovation. However, it also means navigating potential biases or stereotypes. Promoting diversity and inclusion in tech is crucial to ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to succeed and contribute to the industry.

Which organizations would you like to feature for Hispanic Heritage Month?

• Voto Latino: Voto Latino encourages political participation and civic engagement among young Latinos, striving to increase their representation in the political process.
• Latino Victory Fund: Latino Victory Fund is a political organization dedicated to increasing Latino representation in American politics. Their work promotes diversity and inclusivity in American governance.
• The Hispanic Institute: The Hispanic Institute is a nonprofit organization focused on research and education to advance the economic and social well-being of the Hispanic community in the United States.

AAPI Heritage Month Interview with Myche Tan on Growth & Leadership

Recently, I had the privilege of speaking with Myche Tan, Data Engineer at Revenue.io, about the importance of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Here are some of her inspirational thoughts.

What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?

AAPI month is an opportunity to share and celebrate AAPI culture, experiences, and stories. It is also a moment to be grateful to our predecessors for their influence and to remember their sacrifices.

Who do you look up to in the AAPI community?

I look up to every first-generation immigrant/parent. In my case, it would be my mom. I often hear stories about our parents’ sacrifices to provide better opportunities for their kids. Leaving your family behind and venturing into an unknown place with little certainty is daunting and challenging. There isn’t a guaranteed successful outcome, but they still take the risk in hopes of providing a better future. And for that, I want to say a huge thank you to them.

What’s something most people may not know about the AAPI community?

It is not limited to the big countries people often associate with Asia, such as China, Korea, Japan, etc. The month also celebrates people who descended from Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia.

What would you like to highlight about your own heritage?

I am fortunate to be raised in Chinese and Filipino cultures, which also means enjoying two cuisines growing up. I always bring my Filipino and Chinese traditions with me, such as highlighting the importance of family and giving respect, especially to elders.

What’s it like being an Asian American woman in tech?

Being a woman in tech is already rare, but being an Asian American woman adds another layer of rarity. From personal experience, it is difficult to find another Asian American woman in the tech space. And I hope in the future, there will be more representation and diversity in this industry.

Which organizations would you like to feature for AAPI Heritage Month?

• Stop AAPI Hate
• Asian Americans Advancing Justice
• Asian Pacific Partners for Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership (APPEAL)
• National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum

Pride Month Insights on Leadership & Inclusion Insights from G Hernandez

Recently, I had an incredible conversation with G Hernandez, Enterprise Customer Success Manager at Revenue.io, about their thoughts on Pride Month and the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Thank you, G, for your realness. Here are G’s thoughts in their own words.

What does Pride Month mean to you?

Honestly, it’s hard to get excited about Pride and it has been for years now. Not because I don’t love my queerness, but the fear that I feel for my community is real. Makes it challenging to want to join in a parade when a protest feels more appropriate at this time. Though I certainly can understand the value of celebrating and taking up space.

Who are some of the queer people who inspire you?

Trans-youth, like Syrus Hall in Alabama, who are having to advocate for themselves while lawmakers are trying to deny their right to gender-affirming care. Syrus and others like him inspire me and have my unwavering support.

How do you celebrate pride?

This year I will celebrate by donating money to organizations that are working to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community, like the Trans Housing Coalition.

What’s something most people may not know about the LGBTQIA+ community?

It may feel like it’s getting easier to come out or be a member of the community, but it’s still really hard. I can only speak for myself, but we need to keep pushing for change. More has to be done to protect our community – especially Black trans folx. We all need to be better allies and use our privilege to create change. How? Education yourself. Not only on how to be an ally to the queer community but also how to become antiracist. You can’t support the QPOC (queer people of color) community without also being antiracist. Being an ally means doing the work and not asking members of the community to teach you. We all have a lot to unlearn and systems to dismantle before we can truly move towards equity.

What would you like to highlight about your own journey as a queer person?

It’s been a challenging and beautiful journey. It has made me more empathetic and gritty. Myself and others like me have so much to offer companies. The skills that we have had to build to exist in spaces that were not made for us are impressive. Hire us. Promote us. Put us on executive teams. Our perspective will provide your team with a new lens to view the world through.

What’s it like being non-binary in tech?

Hard. It’s a bit isolating. I am misgendered often. Use a bathroom I don’t align with. And then some. My calls to action – if someone has their pronouns in their email please use them. It would be great if cis allies added their pronouns in Slack, email signatures, and shared them to start meetings. When others kick off calls with their pronouns it makes me feel seen and normalizes the practice. I know I appreciate it.

I would also LOVE to build a community with more enby folx in tech. If you are reading this, find me on Linkedin. Let’s connect!

Which organization would you like to feature for Pride Month?

Trans Housing Coalition – https://www.transhousingcoalition.org/

Thoughts on Black History Month from Revenue.io’s Satrice Adams

Recently, I sat down with Satrice Adams, Technical Support Analyst at Revenue.io, to hear her thoughts about Black History Month. Here are Satrice’s musings in her own words.

What does Black History Month mean to you?

Black history to me is the celebration of culture and highlighting the plight of Black Americans throughout history. I think 3 simple things are important when celebrating Black History Month: 1. Acknowledgement 2. Contributions 3. Celebration.

Who do you look up to in the Black community?

The first person that comes to mind is my aunt Gwen Adamn Norton, who is married to Peter Norton of Norton Antivirus. She has had an illustrious career, including serving as a financial advisor for the Clinton Administration. Before that, she was a Senior Vice President & Business Banking Executive for Wachovia Bank where she took on the responsibility of tri-state business, banking operations and banking strategy. She had also been Chief Operating Officer and Vice President for Banco Popular of Puerto Rico, and Commissioner of Finance for the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Gwen is a member of the Board of Trustees for The Visiting Nurse Service of New York, Aid to Artisans and Spelman College Board of Trustees. She is also part of the Women’s Leadership Board at Harvard University and is on the Advisory Board to the Dean of Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Gwen has also studied at the International Center for Photography with several renowned fine art photographers. She draws inspiration for her photography from her international travels as well as places closer to home, engaging with the world with curiosity and passion. Her award-winning images have been featured in multiple exhibitions over the past few years. I admire my aunt Gwen because she has paved the way for Black women to do truly incredible things.

What’s it like being Black in tech?

Being Black in tech is like being Black in America. You will always notice that you are the only Black person in the room. When you are Black in tech you are a minority in a territory that is incredibly slow in addressing race and diversity. The underrepresentation of Black people in the tech space started in the 70s–and in 2023 we are still trying to find where we fit in.

What advice do you have for young Black professionals who hope to enter the tech space?

If you are Black and you are interested in or currently in the tech industry, know that it is not going to be easy. But never shrink yourself to fit in.

What’s something in your own family’s history that you’re particularly proud of?

My grandfather Alton Adams Jr. was one of the first black students to attend Notre Dame University after the color ban was lifted, graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He then attended the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and began his career as an engineer with Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank, Calif.

Alton was instrumental in the design of the wing structure of the legendary U.S. Air Force Hercules military transport. He later joined the Air Force and earned his wings as a pilot, flying for six years and receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of captain. He returned to civilian life as a project engineer with the Civil Aeronautics Administration (now part of NASA), responsible for the design and inspection of airport tower facilities and equipment at airports in Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New York.

His professional affiliations included the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Professional Engineers and the American Association of Airport Executives. He received many accolades over the years, including certificates of appreciation from the Bureau of U.S. Customs and the American Legion. He was among the first group of Notre Dame graduates presented with the “Black Notre Dame Exemplars,” a recognition that he was particularly proud of.

Alton loved music, including all the classics and grand marching tunes. That’s no surprise, considering his father, Alton A. Adams Sr., was the first African American bandmaster for the United States Navy. Through Alton Jr.’s hard work and advocacy, his father’s achievements are recognized in his own section of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Alton Jr. was very proud to attend the opening of the museum in 2016 along with President Obama, Oprah Winfrey and many others.

Which organizations would you like to highlight for Black History Month?

Here are some organizations worth donating to for Black History Month (and all year round):

• NAACP
• NAACP Legal & Defense Fund
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund
• 100 Black Men of America
• ACLU Foundation
• The National Black Child Development Institute
• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
• Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
• YMCA of Metropolitan Washington

I’m so honored to have spent some time with Satrice, and I hope you learned as much as I did from this conversation.

FAQs About Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Revenue.io

1. What is it like being part of the Latinx community in the tech industry?
Latinx professionals in tech bring diverse perspectives and rich cultural backgrounds that drive innovation. However, representation is still growing, and many face challenges related to bias and access. At companies like Revenue.io, inclusion efforts aim to create spaces where Latinx voices are heard, respected, and empowered.

2. How does Revenue.io celebrate cultural heritage months?
Revenue.io celebrates months like Hispanic Heritage Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Black History Month, and Pride Month through employee interviews, education, and advocacy. These initiatives spotlight lived experiences, raise awareness, and encourage donations to organizations aligned with each community’s values and needs.

3. What challenges do LGBTQIA+ professionals still face in tech?
Despite growing awareness, LGBTQIA+ professionals—especially non-binary and trans individuals—often face misgendering, lack of representation, and systemic barriers. Inclusive workplace practices such as using pronouns, DEI education, and allyship are essential to creating affirming environments in tech.

4. Why is AAPI Heritage Month important in the workplace?
AAPI Heritage Month helps recognize the unique experiences, cultures, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It’s a time for education and celebration that fosters cultural appreciation, counters stereotypes, and highlights the diverse backgrounds within the broader AAPI community.

5. How is Revenue.io fostering a more inclusive workplace?
Revenue.io supports inclusion through employee storytelling, representation in leadership, real-time dialogue, and community advocacy. Spotlight interviews and recognition of heritage months help build empathy, while ongoing DEI efforts aim to create equitable growth opportunities for all employees.