 on Tuesday. Automotive engineer Tony Argote and software developer Alexandra Figueroa were both named Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers at the HACR’s four-day Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers Program. The two were […] "'Pin It")
Two GM Employees Recognized by Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility
GM young Latino professionals receive Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR)
Two of General Motors’ Latino associates were recently among the 35 young professionals honored for their leadership by the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) on Tuesday.
Automotive engineer Tony Argote and software developer Alexandra Figueroa were both named Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers at the HACR’s four-day Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers Program. The two were honored during a special awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington DC.
“The GM family congratulates Tony and Alexandra on this remarkable honor,” said GM Global Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett. “Latino engineers and IT professionals are vital to the future of our industry. Their accomplishments can serve as an example and an inspiration for other Latinos.”
The annual program highlights the achievements of young Hispanics at Fortune 500 and/or HACR Corporate Member companies, who have been nominated by their companies and then selected from a competitive application process. Those young executives who are chosen then participate in a multi-day leadership development, education, and training program.
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Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever and GM automotive engineer Tony Argote
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“We are very proud of our 10th class of the HACR Young Hispanic Corporate Achievers Program,” said HACR President & CEO Cid Wilson. “Each year, this program highlights the future leaders of Corporate America. Over the last 10 years, many of the past HACR YHCA participants have gone on to become corporate executives at Fortune 500 companies with some serving on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies.”
Argote was born to Cuban immigrants, and became the first in his family to earn a college degree. He began his career at GM in 2005 while still a student at Georgia Tech, and now is part of the automaker’s Autonomous Vehicles team.
Argote was instrumental in the founding of the non-profit organization Green Place Detroit, which is helping use STEM and sustainability concepts to maintain an urban garden at a predominantly Hispanic school in Southeast Detroit.
“I’m honored to join the ranks of all the great Latinos who have received this recognition,” said Argote. “I am grateful to GM and to the HACR board for all they do to develop young professionals’ leadership skills and introduce us to a network of professionals who are committed to promoting Hispanic empowerment.”
In 2014, senior software developer Alexandra Figueroa became one of the first hires at the GM Innovation Center in Chandler, Arizona. After just two short years, the native Puerto Rican has already established herself as a model employee, leading the Hispanic Initiative Team in Chandler and frequently heading STEM workshops in her community.
“As a Latina in IT, I am gratified and humbled to receive this recognition,” said Figueroa. “I do everything I can to inspire other Latinos to go into STEM fields of study or a STEM career. It is my hope that this recognition helps further that message even further.”
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