Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15, is dedicated to celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of people in the U.S. with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
This year, Aramark employees marked the occasion with a variety of events aimed at raising awareness and fostering engagement across the company. These efforts were led by Aramark’s employee resource group (ERG), Impacto, in collaboration with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a meaningful opportunity to reflect on Impacto’s accomplishments throughout the year,” said Alison Birdwell, President and CEO of Aramark Sports + Entertainment and Executive Sponsor of Impacto. “With the dedication of our members and dynamic leadership, Impacto has achieved much to be proud of, including expanding our ERG hubs in areas like Chicago, Dallas, and Houston, and enhancing career development through workshops in collaboration with the Aramark Young Professionals ERG.”
Making an Impact
Aramark’s ERGs, such as Impacto, play a vital role in supporting members with leadership development, education, and community engagement while providing valuable insights to the marketplace.
Last month, Impacto partnered with community organizations and other ERGs to organize backpack drives, providing back-to-school supplies to over 4,000 students across 30 communities in the U.S., Ireland, and Chile.
Impacto also contributes to communication efforts within Aramark, with several members serving on a committee of certified translators. They assist in translating materials, helping to bridge language gaps for employees, clients, and consumers.
One notable initiative involves partnering with the Aramark Health and Wellness team to translate the “What’s a Parent to Do?” blog series into Spanish. These blogs, created by Aramark Student Nutrition dietitians and chefs, offer nutrition and wellness advice to parents and are available in both English and Spanish.
“By providing resources in Spanish, we can reach a wider audience with useful tips and information,” said Francisca Sohl, District Manager for Aramark Student Nutrition and Chair of Impacto. “Aramark is committed to educating clients and customers on healthy living, but addressing language barriers is essential for community outreach.”
Hispanic Heritage Month Event Highlights
Throughout the month, Aramark celebrated Hispanic culinary talent with the “Chef Spotlight” series, showcasing Hispanic chefs and their recipes at participating client locations.
On September 19, employees participated in a trivia event that tested their knowledge of Hispanic culture and heritage while fostering connections with colleagues. A salsa dancing class was held at Aramark’s Philadelphia headquarters on September 29, with an option for virtual participation.
On October 3, a career workshop titled “Ace Your Next Interview!” featured insights from Aramark’s Talent Acquisition team members, Emily Pickett and Damarilis Philips, who are also Impacto’s Workforce Chairs. Additionally, a workshop called “The Power of Declaration and Becoming an Inclusive Leader” took place on October 8, led by Yai Vargas, a noted expert in diversity and inclusion.
Annual Awards and Keynote Address
The Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations culminated on October 15 with a special event that included a keynote address by Ainhoa Pozzi-Gonzalez, Vice President of Legal – Latin America at Aramark International, who spoke on leading collaborative teams.
The event also featured the annual Impact Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements by Aramark employees and Impacto members who exemplify leadership qualities.
