Celebrating our Hispanic heritage
Atlanta, GA—Monday, September 30, 2024
In honor of #HispanicHeritageMonth, which took place from September 15 – October 15, two of GAIN’s newer team members—Programs Manager, Vanessa Orduna Zarazua, and Bilingual Case Manager, Chris Bunting—shared personal reflections with GAIN audiences.
Vanessa Orduna Zarazua, Programs Manager
Vanessa shared a personal written reflection focused on her experiences in the workforce—particularly the challenges she has faced as a young Hispanic professional, the importance of representation, and the impact of supportive environments on career growth.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a moment to consider our roots, how our cultural experiences shape us, and the ways we navigate the world. This year, I’m reflecting on my experiences in the workforce, particularly the challenges I faced as a young Hispanic professional, while highlighting the importance of representation and the impact of supportive environments on career growth. As a young, Hispanic woman, I have encountered situations where I did not always feel valued. I have been ridiculed for how I spoke, labeled ‘overzealous’ for being ambitious, and even called ‘illegal’ as a joke in front of colleagues. Unfortunately, this is the type of treatment that many minorities continue to face.
“This is why I hold tightly to my culture and background, which empower me to remain strong, outspoken and ‘overzealous’. While some may use that term to undermine me, I embrace it as a badge of pride and passion for what I believe in. Being direct and steadfast in my beliefs should not be misconstrued as a lack of communication or disrespect. Instead, it serves as a reminder that everyone’s experiences, perspectives, and approaches to situations differ, and they all provide value to the conversation. When working with specific populations, like our staff here at GAIN does, cultural humility and relevance are just as vital as having the educational background and training in a given field.
“I take pride in being a first-generation Hispanic woman. Despite the challenges I have faced in past roles—whether due to my age, culture, or educational background—I believe there is always a brighter path ahead. I am grateful for GAIN and the opportunity to serve as the Programs Manager for their Legal Services. At GAIN, I have been able to flourish and showcase my true talents without having my contributions dismissed or minimized.
“In my few months, I have been entrusted with leading partner meetings, serving as an ambassador for GAIN within the legal community, and taking the initiative to drive innovation in various projects and events. GAIN not only celebrates and acknowledges my identity, skills, and ambitions, but they also encourage my growth by helping me discover my passions within and beyond the organization. Cultural diversity and a strong company culture are at the forefront of our work, and it is in this welcoming environment that I am most proud to be a first-generation Hispanic woman working for a nonprofit that prioritizes its clients and staff.”
Chris Bunting, Bilingual Case Manager
In a Hispanic Heritage Month video interview, Chris, who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela, shared more about GAIN’s new Client Care team, his perspective on Latino influences and contributions to popular culture, language, and the U.S. agricultural industry, and his experience growing up in a bi-cultural household.
“There’s a lot of people that hear a language that they don’t understand and can feel alienated, especially with Spanish here in the United States. We have a complex relationship with it because it’s something that’s spoken by so many people, but there’s still a lot of resistance to it culturally, I think.”
