Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
October 03, 2024
To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we're recognizing MassCPAs members who are helping us grow and diversify the accounting pipeline.
2024
Anderson Penalo
Sophomore at Whittier Regional Technical Vocational High School, ACE 2024 Graduate
“National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the legacy of our ancestors and the invaluable traditions they’ve passed down, while celebrating our heritage and its enduring impact on communities around the world."
“What I find most fascinating about accounting is its versatility. It can be applied to virtually any field, making it the universal language of business, a concept I find truly unique."
Jose Vazquez, CPA, MSA
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Nydiha Norvilus
Sophomore at Whittier Regional Technical Vocational High School, ACE 2024 Graduate
“In accounting and finance, I find the problem-solving aspect the most fulfilling. I enjoy working with numbers to uncover their meaning, whether it’s crafting a budget or managing records. It’s rewarding to see how everything fits together and to know that my work helps a business understand its current position and what steps to take next."
"National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on the resilience and contributions of those who have paved the way for progress in America. It’s also a moment to honor the strength of those who have overcome adversity to build better lives for themselves, their families and for all of us, inspiring a brighter future."
Zerek Guttierez
Senior at UMass Boston, Latino Scholarship Winner
Andrea Alegre
Citrin Cooperman
"This month allows us to celebrate the strength, value and pride in our roots, while honoring the sacrifices made to build a life in a new country. It’s a reminder of the richness and complexity of my culture, which I’ve come to appreciate more deeply since moving away from home. I carry my heritage and family name with pride and honor."
2023
"Hispanic and Latino communities make up roughly 20% of the total U.S. population. Having diversity can incorporate a culture of acceptance within the accounting profession for all individuals from different backgrounds. I strongly believe that having a diverse workforce is essential to serving a diverse community."
Kassandra Guerrero
2022 recipient of the Latino Scholarship
from the MassCPAs Educational Foundation’s Scholarship Program
Carol Ruiz, CPA
Partner, PwC LLP
"When I was growing up, I didn’t know anyone working in leadership roles who looked like me. Fast-forward to today, I’m doing my part as a Hispanic woman to be a role model and mentor to those who are up-and-coming in the profession, because having people in leadership roles who look like those that we’re serving in the community is very important. Diversity in an organization brings diversity in thought, and you need that for a business to be successful and make a difference."
"CPAs are in the business of helping people, and it’s really a people science — you have to learn about your clients and find a way to relate to them. My practice is bilingual, which is important because for many of our clients, English isn’t
their first language, so it’s important to connect in a way that’s comfortable
for them. That in turn builds trust and is the foundation of our relationship. The CPA license gave me the skills I need to help my clients grow their businesses and reach new levels of success, and that motivates me every single day."
Antonio Lopez, Jr., CPA, MST
Founder & Senior Shareholder,
LCW Certified Public Accountants