Blog

BY JOE DYTON
Latino Leaders Magazine

Dr. Norman Ruano’s work for the Institute for Workforce Education, a division of St. Augustine College, is not just a job; it’s fulfilling a lifelong passion. Dr. Ruano was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and lived there until his early teens when he and his family moved to Chicago during the civil war. Influenced by having college professors and activists in his family, Dr. Ruano developed a penchant for education and advocacy on others’ behalf at an early age.

“When I was a kid, my grandmother used to organize protests to help the poor,” Dr. Ruano said. “I saw firsthand her understanding of people’s condition and dedication to do something about it. I always had a sense that we needed to do something to help others.”

Along with activism, Dr. Ruano took his education seriously. He studied social sciences in college. He continued studying the subject, earning a Master Degree and later a Doctorate in Sociology, with Summa Cum Laude honors, from Loyola University Chicago.

Feeling the need to understand life in the private sector, he began his professional career in business sales and management, before joining the City Colleges of Chicago. Here, he managed the workforce operations of Harry S. Truman College and later founded the Workforce Institute, where he served as Vice President. Through his leadership, hundreds of businesses in Illinois and other states in the country received strategic consulting and training, as well as workforce training funding from government agencies. He focused on bringing education to the workplace and on the development of programs to support Latinos in higher education.

Because of his interest in higher education and commitment to promote the progress of Latinos, Dr. Ruano transitioned to St. Augustine College (a Latino college), where he’s worked as Vice President for Workforce Development for almost a decade.

At St. Augustine college, Dr. Ruano’s mission was to create a workplace development program from a private, non-profit college perspective, focusing on serving the Latino community of Chicago and the state of Illinois.

As a result, the Institute for Workforce Education (IWE) was created. This college division is dedicated to helping the Latino community advance in the workforce and classroom in many different ways.

For example, a lot of immigrant and U.S. born Latinos join the workforce right away with a particular skill set. Once technology changes, however, they need to get new training to stay competitive with the rest of the workforce and to get promoted.

IWE fills this void by working with companies and non-profit organizations to secure funding and provide customized training to their most valuable resource, their employees. IWE offers customized training to meet the needs of different industries and management training for people who are employed with larger organizations but need help gaining the skills that will help them move up.

Dr. Ruano and his team have found that the language barrier can be an obstacle for a lot of people who need the training. So while IWE teaches hundreds of courses in English, they also offer them in Spanish, and even some in Polish. The Institute also partners with business associations to develop training programs for its members, with the objective of improving their management, organizational and business generation skills.

Recognizing that green technologies yield a lot of job opportunities, IWE partners with the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) to provide training programs to Latino contractors. The contractors are taught practices related to green construction and prepare to obtain the required certifications.

“Our intent is to ensure that our Latino companies develop the latest skills with the latest technology and techniques so when they go into the marketplace, they’re able to be competitive and have an upper hand,” Dr. Ruano said.

IWE’s work has garnered the attention of other organizations—including some in Latin America. A group of workforce partners, sponsored by the Chilean Department of Labor, called and brought them to Santiago in order to certify instructors on how to use American-based workforce education models (more skills focused).

IWE has now taken the step of publishing its own workforce training materials. “That is something that is very dear to my heart because it’s not about just doing it once, it’s about repeating it in every corner of this country,” Dr. Ruano said, adding “We make those resources available to other institutions or organizations to help transform people’s lives.”

Dr. Ruano could have continued on a more lucrative career path in medical technology, but all of the money in the world could not buy the satisfaction he gets by helping others succeed trough workforce training and higher education.

“What gives me the greatest satisfaction is that I know the education and training we’re giving our people is making a difference for them, their families, and their community” Dr. Ruano concluded.

The rich are becoming richer—or at least are adding to their ranks. Between 2010 and 2016 the number of affluent consumers—i.e., U.S. adults with a household income of $250,000 or more—jumped from just over 7 million to slightly above 14 million Americans, an increase of 91%. Market research firm Packaged Facts published these findings in the recent report Affluent Consumers: Demographic Patterns and Spending Trends, 7th Edition.

"Although affluent consumers currently comprise just 6% of the adult population, they accounted for 44% of growth in the adult population during the 2010 through 2016 period," says David Sprinkle, research director, Packaged Facts.

Among the most important revelations found in the report is that the affluent consumer market segment has begun to reflect the ongoing change in the demographics of the American adult population as a whole. Namely, affluent multicultural households are on the rise and represent a growing opportunity. Packaged Facts' definition of multicultural consumers includes Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans, among other ethnic minorities. READ MORE AT PR NEWSWIRE

Three in five employees have experienced mental health issues in the past year because of work, according to a YouGov survey commissioned by charity Business in the Community. So what steps can be taken to improve wellbeing in the workplace?

Identify your triggers
Working out what triggers stress or poor mental health can help you anticipate problems and think of ways to solve them, says mental health charity Mind. READ MORE AT THE GUARDIAN

In some ways, American adults in 2017 are more connected than they have ever been. The proliferation of smartphones means many of us live with 24/7 access to social networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, allowing us to stay updated on our friends' and family members' lives every hour of the day.

However, according to a study performed by the AARP, that virtual connection doesn't tend to translate to emotional fulfillment. Over 40 percent of adults in the United States report feeling lonely and isolated. READ MORE AT 9 WCPO CINCINNATI

Frustration over the persistent gender wage gap and how to fix it have followed women in the workforce for decades. From Sheryl Sandberg’s early days of “Lean In” to her subsequent acknowledgement that it’s not always that simple, the conversation about how to change the lack of women in the C-suite and what to do about maternity leave and the years that follow continue unabated.

But before women workers decide the glass ceiling on their career trajectory is unbreakable, consider these three women with inspiring careers that seem to defy the dire predictions. READ MORE AT LADDERS

As we enter into Hispanic Heritage month, a time to celebrate Latino culture, it is also a time to reflect on the Latino community as a whole. Though the Latino community is rich in cultures from across Latin America and known for a strong work ethic, we find that the Latino community in America is not rich in wealth.

Latino’s, today, are facing the consequences of decades’ long policy decisions that have disproportionately affected people of color. Recently released data by Prosperity Now shows that 60.7% of Latino households are liquid asset poor, compared to 50% of Black households, and 28% of White household. This means that more than half of Latino households wouldn’t be able to cover basic expenses for three months if they were to suffer a sudden financial crisis or, in other words, most Latinos are one crisis away from financial ruin. READ MORE AT HUFFPOST

Black and Latino representation has declined in Silicon Valley, and although Asians are the most likely to be hired, they are the least likely to be promoted, according to a new study exposing persistent racial prejudice in the tech industry.

The research from not-for-profit organization Ascend Foundation, which examined official employment data from 2007 to 2015, suggests that people of color are widely marginalized and denied career opportunities in tech – and that the millennial generation is unlikely to crack the glass ceiling for minorities. READ MORE AT THE GUARDIAN

Want to be boss at being a boss?

It's not as simple as just being a good listener and making sure everyone shows up on time. Truly great managers attract the best workers. If you're good at being in charge, you hold onto star employees and advance their careers right along with yours.

Managing is not an easy skill, but it is possible to build. Even if you think you’re pretty great already, take a look at these tips and see whether you can improve in any particular area. Your employees will thank you, and so will your boss. READ MORE AT USA TODAY

For the fifth consecutive year, CNET en Español showcases the 20 most outstanding, creative and talented Hispanic professionals working in the US technology industry.

The 2017 list covers a wide range of positions, experience, skills and, of course, stories. It includes six women, along with other professionals hailing from, among other places, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Spain and the US. READ MORE AT CNET

Hispanics represent 1 out of 6 Americans, totaling 56.5 million people in 2015. By the middle of the next century, the nation’s Hispanic population is expected to reach almost 100 million.

We should more closely examine the state of the Hispanic population in the U.S. — and more importantly, we should consider how we deal with an aging Hispanic population. Although the Hispanic population is younger than non-Hispanic groups, it is aging rapidly. READ MORE AT MY STATESMAN

The high school dropout rate among U.S. Hispanics has fallen to a new low, extending a decades-long decline, according to recently released data from the Census Bureau. The reduction has come alongside a long-term increase in Hispanic college enrollment, which is at a record high.

The Hispanic dropout rate was 10% in 2016, with about 648,000 Hispanics ages 18 to 24 – out of more than 6.5 million nationally in that age group – not completing high school and not enrolled in school. Just five years earlier, the rate had been 16%. READ MORE AT PEW RESEARCH CENTER

On Saturday September 30th, 2017 the Cross Street AME Zion Church will host the 7th annual Women’s Health Conference from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM. Headlining this spectacular event is America’s Fit Queen 2017, Cori Magnotta. Cori Magnotta will open the conference by performing an entertaining hula hoop dance. Attendees will be able to see for themselves what all of the hoopla is about! Mrs. Cori Magnotta is set to perform at 9:30 AM and is looking forward to sharing her passion for hula hooping and hoop fitness! To learn more about Cori Magnotta, please be sure to check out her website www.HoopWithCori.com

A recruiter is one who recruits or hires candidates for a company. The growth of a company depends on the hands of recruiters. So, the job of a recruiter is a very difficult task. When working as a recruiter, one must have the thorough idea of the best job market. A recruiter must have a clear idea about a market, said William Almonte. So, working as a recruiter one gets a great career, a high salary, secure job, and a high salary secured job and variety of different roles. Here, there are two main reasons why one chooses career as recruitment field

Career option &development

Recruiters have great careers with a platform in all directions. If a person works hard as a recruiter, he can easily achieve a post as a manager or a team management within 4-5 yrs. If a recruiter recruits confidential employers among an ocean of people thus giving profit to the company, then the recruiters development, in career, can never be stopped. A good recruiter does much other work like managing the employees, learning about marketing and utilizing social media for the business purpose.

Money

Recruiters work as the backbone of a company. So, they can earn a good amount of money along with other benefits &incentives. They quite easily don’t get this good amount and thus works hard to earn it. If a person is hard working, energetic and confidential, then working as a recruiter is perfect for good rewards.

Variety

A recruiter gets the chance to work with different industries and with different people.  They play a very important role by recruiting people. They give people the exact job they desire. They have an eagle-eye and chooses the right people among thousands. They even catch the market with modern technologies and variety of ideas. If you think that you have a potential to deal with market events, capacity or compatibility to react correctly in the hard situation & even want to gain knowledge in your job field, then working in recruitment industry is the exact job for you.

Work with ‘best people’

Recruitment is totally based on team focus. Recruiters trusts on people or employee and surrounding to become successful. Recruiters unite people & motivate them to work with confidence.  These recruiters work as a bridge between employee & company.

Working as a recruiter is difficult as one’s successfully depends on that employee that he recruited. So, one needs to depend on his fellow employees to earn his living.

But once a person succeeds in this field, he will always have a cozy night then after. He will also get many team-based incentives.

Mr. William Almonte said that the job of the recruiter is challenging & competitive in the market. One has to know the ways to choose an employee over others and ask questions that will filter him from rest. If you are confident enough, smart and a person with vast knowledge, then working as a recruiter is not that hard.

So, if You have a desire to get huge success and have a potential to work hard then working as a recruiter is the best career for you.

You found the perfect job opportunity. Not only are you qualified for it, but also you love the company and are excited to join the team.

After you apply, don’t just hope to hear back. The best way to land your ideal job opportunity is to be proactive.

Job-Hunt.org conducted a survey and found that 51 percent of employers and HR professionals say they do not consider candidates who don’t follow up after they submit an application. In other words, you’re more likely to be passed over if you don’t at least send an email to your potential employer. READ MORE AT ENTREPRENEUR

Despite gains in income and wealth, the economic chasm between black and Hispanic families and their white counterparts widened between 2013 and 2016 — even when it comes to Americans with comparable levels of education, according to data released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve.

The median net worth of whites remains nearly 10 times the size of blacks'. Nearly 1 in 5 black families have zero or negative net worth — twice the rate of white families. READ MORE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

Read biographies of feature guests for the 2017 Healthcare Networking Forum being held tomorrow September 27 at Fulton Market Company in Chicago's trendy West Loop neighborhood!

MODERATOR

Leticia Madrigal, Psychologist, Madrigal Consulting/ÁmateAhora

Leticia Madrigal creates a culture for leaders causing community health leadership, guiding families to come to terms with the state of our health through education, awareness of the importance of family health history. Mobilizing communities and the workforce to advocate for health, and exercise internationally.

Ámate Ahora means Love Yourself Now. Was founded 2012 as a NFP months after her father’s untimely death. Its mission is to educate, mobilize, and exercise. Producing annual health expos in the United States and the Dominican Republic, leading health challenges and fitness programs. She is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist from
Roosevelt University specialized in Wellness and Leadership. Certified Behavioral/Lifestyle Coach and Group Exercise Trainer by SCW the largest producer of fitness instructor training nationwide.

As a WomenHeart Spokeswoman for the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. She represents 47M women that live with or at risk of Heart Disease. She was diagnosed 2014, with valvular disease. She led the 2016 National Heart Disease Campaign, “I’m Fighting and Winning Heart Disease” included in 576 Burlington Stores
in 47 States & Puerto Rico. Addressed 26,000 of their associates standing for a Healthy Heart Workforce.

2017 Awarded a Philanthropy Award in the Dominican Republic by Agriculturalist Diogenes Langumas and State Legislator Antonia Suriel Mata. Is author in the book series, “Today's Inspired Latina Vol. III” and 2016 honored by receiving the Sor Juan Women of Achievement by The National Museum of Mexican Art, for Health and Community Activism Is a TEDx Speaker “From Tragedy to Power & Peace”. 2015 Finalist for Nueva Latina Estrella Award: Midwest Health Leader.

DISCUSSION PANELISTS

Susana Gonzalez, Associate Dean, Academic Operations, Chamberlain College of Nursing

Susana González is the Associate Dean of Academic Operations at Chamberlain University, College of Nursing-Chicago Campus. In this role she is responsible for developing and leading the central operations of the campus that support Academics, Simulation Learning Center, the Center for Academic Success, Clinical Coordination and Clinical partner site development and placement. She leads and provides pivotal leadership to ensure all campus departments collaborate and support positive student outcomes.

Throughout her career Susana, has role modeled true servant leadership and served on numerous committees and board of directors of key organizations on a local, State and National level. She continues to be at the forefront on health care issues for women, infants, children, and the nursing profession. She is active on several advisory committees for elected officials in the State of Illinois and she is an exemplar advocate for public policy changes especially with the profession of nursing and higher education. She is an exemplar role model and mentor to aspiring nurses who seek that healthcare career. Nursing students and new graduates face a challenge entering the field of nursing. She helps guide and support the novice nurse with time management skills and helping them find ways to deal with the stresses inherent within the profession. She takes it as an opportunity to truly make a difference in the mind and skill set within the nursing profession.

Susana volunteers on several board of directors; such as the March of Dimes-Chicago, the Chicago Bilingual Nurse Consortium, and is an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Illinois as the Immediate-Past President and serves as a National board member where she Co-Chairs the National Policy and Advocacy Committee. She is an active member of Illinois HealthCare Action Coalition and the American Nurses Association-Illinois. In addition serves as a member of the Illinois Organization of Nurse leaders and Co-Chairs Policy & Advocacy Committee.

Susana has received numerous nominations, recognitions, and awards for her compassionate volunteer work. To highlight a few: The regional Volunteerism and Service Award from Nursing Spectrum, Mujeres Latinas en Acción- Community Service Award, Illinois Maternal Child Health Coalition; Loretta Lacey Award, MacNeal Nursing Excellence Community Service Award, ASPIRA Excellence in Health Award, March of Dimes Outstanding Nurse of the year award, Windy City Woman of Color- Educator and Advocate Award, Chicago Latino in Philanthropy Award, and Infant Welfare Society Nursing Director of the year. She has been profiled on WLS-TV Channel 7 during Hispanic Heritage Month. Most recently she received the annual National Association of Hispanic Nurses -Community Service Award and the March of Dimes-Jonas Salk, Nurse of the Year for her commitment to service.

Susana is well prepared educationally with dual Master degrees MSN and MHA. Susana has led a professional and personal commitment to serve and improve the quality of life for all she encounters. She is a life role model for nursing education and community servant leadership. On a personal note: She lives by the philosophy that if there is something she can do for you now, then let it be so. For, we may not walk this path again.

José R. Sánchez, President/CEO, Norwegian American Hospital

José R. Sánchez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian American Hospital, is Chicago’s only Latino hospital CEO. He is a senior health care executive with 30 years’ experience in the operational, strategic and fiscal management of healthcare and multi-hospital systems. He began his career as a clinical social worker before advancing through the ranks of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest public health system it the nation, ultimately serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Executive of the Generations+/Northern Manhattan Health Network, comprised of three acute care hospitals, three diagnostic and treatment centers, and 20 community based health centers in Manhattan and the Bronx.

Since his arrival in Chicago, Norwegian American Hospital has had one of the most successful safety net hospital turnarounds in the country and has received national recognition in the areas of finance, information technology, innovation, and quality improvement.

Sánchez has been a licensed social worker since 1979. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the City College of New York and a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University.

Christina Urbina, Director of Operations & Women’s Health, Erie Family Health Center

Christina Urbina is the Director of Operations at Erie Family Health Center Helping Hands in Albany Park and Women’s Health. Erie Family Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center consisting of eight (8) free standing centers and five (5) school-based health centers. In this role she is responsible for the operational management of health center operations to provide access and great quality care to all patients in need, the development of systems and programs that cultivate Erie’s collaborative care team model to educate and empower our patient population which improve community health outcomes. Simultaneously, she is responsible for maximizing women’s health access in our outpatient setting by developing, implementing and management of initiatives for prenatal care services at Erie. She is a mission driven and patient-centered leader that enjoys advocating for patients and promoting professional growth of healthcare professionals to become value add members of patient care teams.

She is originally from Michigan and has resided in Chicago for the last 20 years living and serving in various Chicagoland neighborhoods. She attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where she graduated with Bachelors degree in Sociology specializing in Health, Aging & Population, Social Welfare, Social Inequality and International Social Change. She holds an MBA, Health Care Administration from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois where she graduated with honors. During her MBA program, Christina Urbina completed an internship at Rush Hospital, Oak Park as a Quality Management Specialist focusing on process improvement initiatives to improve patient care and staff performance based on patient safety data outcomes.

Christina’s passion for continued personal growth and professional development of others is demonstrated through her involvement in The Chicago Safety Net Learning Collaborative consisting of 16 other community healthcare organizations. Including her volunteer involvement of sitting on the Alumnae Board of Mujeres De HACE; a professional development board that offers a structured development course for mid-management to executive level Latinas wanting to make a positive impact in their personal and professional lives.

As a business leader in the healthcare industry she follows the model of servant leadership to build highly talented teams and develop great morale to improve patient care, patient satisfaction and employee satisfaction. I am looking forward to meeting those interested in joining us provide quality healthcare to all in need.

James S. Williams Jr., Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Equity, U of Chicago Medicine

James Williams Jr. joined the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) in 1988 as part of the finance team serving in patient accounts, transplant, and admission services before joining supply chain and helping to start the Business Diversity Office. In 2013, James was tapped to launch the Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Department for the Medical Center. In this role, he is responsible for leading the execution of the first enterprise-wide Diversity and Inclusion strategy focused on transforming UCM to a more diverse, inclusive, and culturally competent organization delivering high-quality, equitable care to all patient populations. The department’s most recent work focuses on integrating equity into the operational frameworks of quality, patient experience, human resources and lean management.

James shares this work with national audiences and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. James is a graduate of DePaul University where he focused on Leadership and Strategic Change Management.

Time is running out to register. The 2017 Healthcare Networking Forum is tomorrow. Don't miss out. Register soon >> http://bit.ly/2fwCxZl

No matter what your major is, networking is necessary to move from point A to point B. Having a set network can help you with internship opportunities, mentoring, and post-graduate plans. Here are 5 tips that are necessary for building a great network.

Dress To Impress: First impressions are everything, so your outfit should fit the position you’re hoping for, but also channel your personality. Your look should be comfortable, professional, and most importantly, give you the confidence to network.
Know Your Potential: Knowing what you bring to the table to important to present to potential employers. READ MORE AT CAMPUS LATELY

Mentors can be absolutely critical to your success. They can help you with career insights and negotiations, share insider industry knowledge, guide you if you’re pivoting careers, support your side hustle dreams, and encourage you when times get tough. I am nine years out of college and have had many mentors in my life, playing big and small roles, and I credit them for helping accelerate my success. READ MORE AT HUFFPOST

A vast majority (77 percent) of the growth of the U.S. Latina population in the span between 2005 and 2015 came from American births, not from immigration, according to Nielsen's Latina 2.0: Fiscally Conscious, Culturally Influential & Familia Forward, released during Hispanic Heritage Month.

One in four American girls is now Latina. Nearly one in five (17 percent) of the American female population is now Latina. 

The data have implications for American politics and culture at a time when race, ethnicity and immigration status are dominating the national debate. READ MORE AT LA WEEKLY

Millennials get a bad reputation for wanting to have a fulfilling career. How dare we want to do something that makes us happy? I get it. This conversation often doesn’t take into account the privilege of focusing on what you want to do vs. what you need to do to pay the bills. But no one can argue that having a career that you are passionate about doesn't make a difference between an unbearably long day and a feeling of accomplishment in your life. READ MORE AT FORBES