Hispanic Heritage Month is intended as a national celebration of the contributions of Hispanic citizens. For many – including me – it’s also a time to pause and reflect on the journey that brought us to where we are. 

As a native Latin American, born in Valencia, Venezuela, I came to the U.S. at 17 to attend college. My heritage was – and still is – a core part of who I am. Celebrating my heritage, and the language, traditions and experiences that go along with it, will always be important to me. 

While it’s critical for me personally to mark Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s equally essential for us as a company to recognize the heritage and contributions of our Latin American employees. Our Latinx Forum reflects AspenTech’s significant presence in Latin communities around the globe, most notably Mexico City. Each year, the group hosts a wide range of events, from celebrations of Hispanic heritage to career development workshops for Latinx employees, and I look forward to seeing many of our Latinx employees and participating in those events over the next month and throughout the rest of the year. 

I have long said that AspenTech’s strength lies in our diversity, which is why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a key tenet among our core corporate values. Each of us, regardless of race, gender, culture, physical ability or sexual orientation, brings a unique set of talents and experiences to the table and by recognizing those differences we can contribute to a more welcoming, positive work environment. 

Please join me in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month and thanking our Latin American colleagues for their contributions to our company and the culture of this great country for those in the United States of America.