On this conclusion of National Hispanic Heritage Month, The Estee Lauder Companies (ELC) is proud to celebrate and recognize its outstanding Latino employees, including its employee resource group for Latino leaders at the company, Hispanic Connections (HiC).

Hispanic Connections, formed in 2012, creates a close-knit familia within ELC that encourages leadership from every chair, provides advisement for ELC brands to help strengthen their positioning among Latino consumers in North America and recognizes the importance of mentoring both within the HiC community and in the Latino communities in which ELC serves.

This year, as the world is challenged with the COVID-19 pandemic and Black and Brown communities are disproportionately impacted, HiC leaders sought to keep its members closely connected. It pivoted to a virtual communications approach, ensuring its members and partners felt supported, even while physically apart. 'The pandemic instantly changed how our HiC leaders and members interacted,' says HiC co-chair Patricia Reynoso who serves as Director, Local and Cultural Relevancy, North America. 'We were working apart, but we knew that we had to keep HiC as a place that felt like home.'

ELC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Exciting Lineup of Programming

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Hispanic Heritage Month

HiC hosted a virtual interactive cooking lesson taught by Chef Grace Ramirez. Photo courtesy of Grace Ramirez

Hispanic Heritage Month

Isabella Martinez-Funcke showed viewers how to make a beautiful altar to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Isabella Martinez-Funcke

Hispanic Heritage Month

Thatiana Diaz and Kika Rocha joined HiC for an engaging conversation on the importance of beauty in Latino cultures. Photo courtesy of Kika Rocha

Hispanic Heritage Month

Thatiana Diaz and Kika Rocha joined HiC for an engaging conversation on the importance of beauty in Latino cultures. Photo courtesy of Thatiana Diaz

Hispanic Heritage Month

HiC hosted a virtual interactive cooking lesson taught by Chef Grace Ramirez. Photo courtesy of Grace Ramirez

Hispanic Heritage Month

Isabella Martinez-Funcke showed viewers how to make a beautiful altar to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Photo courtesy of Isabella Martinez-Funcke

Hispanic Heritage Month

Thatiana Diaz and Kika Rocha joined HiC for an engaging conversation on the importance of beauty in Latino cultures. Photo courtesy of Kika Rocha

Hispanic Heritage Month

Thatiana Diaz and Kika Rocha joined HiC for an engaging conversation on the importance of beauty in Latino cultures. Photo courtesy of Thatiana Diaz

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As part of its commitment to mentorship, HiC launched its pilot Cafecito Sessions Mentorship Program earlier this year, a professional development program that offers one-on-one career guidance from Latino senior leaders at ELC. Earlier this year, HiC partnered with The Young Women's Leadership School (TYWLS) of East Harlem and the Bronx in New York City. The En Familia Mentorship Program, which ran from May to June 2020, provided support and guidance for junior and senior Latina high school students whose educational milestones were impacted by COVID-19. 'With Cafecito Sessions, we are trying to inspire at all levels,' says HiC mentorship lead Barma Uruchima, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis. 'After all, the greatest good you can do for another is to not just share your riches, but reveal to him or her their own.'

This year, HiC also brought community and virtual engagement to its members. The 'End of the Summer Beauty Series' on Instagram Live -in partnership with Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Jo Malone London and Estee Lauder- provided fresh, inspiring beauty content. Whether it was achieving the perfect summer glow, or an emotional conversation on Latinos' love of fragrances to discovering which skincare products deliver the healthiest complexion, the series both educated and brought a moment of connection.

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Highlights from ELC's Hispanic Connections ERG

This emphasis on virtual engagement and connection continued as HiC kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a sensational lineup of virtual programming for both its members and the broader ELC community. The three virtual events, livestreamed via Zoom, offered an inside look into the uniqueness and similarities across the various cultures that make up the Latino family. HiC was joined by incredible talent, including: Thatiana Diaz, Senior Editor, Refinery29; Kika Rocha, Fashion and Beauty Editor, People en Espanol; Grace Ramirez, Chef, Author and TV Personality; and Isabella Martinez-Funcke, Photographer, Chef and Food Stylist. All offered a unique glimpse on beauty roots, food and spirituality, three important facets of the Latino culture.

While the global pandemic continues to negatively impact local communities, particularly those of color, and as the global community continues social distancing, Hispanic Connections continues to stay true to its name, emphasizing the importance of connection and inclusion. ELC is proud to celebrate this month with Hispanic Connections, celebrating the rich culture and diversity of the Latino community and recognizing the achievements of Latinos within ELC and beyond.

(C) 2020 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire