Several Fortune 500 company executives say Latinos are not represented in the marketplace and workplace.
Corporate executives, Latino business leaders and directors of Hispanic chambers of commerce from around the country attended the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce convention at Walt Disney Concert Hall recently, according to a Los Angeles Times article.
Media outlets and other corporations should recognize Latinos, said Timothy J. Leiweke, president and chief executive of sports and entertainment firm AEG. Leiweke said his company was “addressing our future majority marketplace” by promoting Latino events and sports teams such as the L.A. Galaxy soccer team that rely heavily on the Latinos. (Mexican rock band Mana recently surpassed Britney Spears’ record for the most sold-out shows at Staples Center.)
Latinos make up 16 percent of the population and percentage is expected to nearly double by 2050, according to the U.S. Census. Latinos generate more than $465 billion a year in revenue.
Anne Shen Smith, CEO of Southern California Gas Co., said her company was trying to diversity its executive staff and said 14 percent of the top 50 employees at her company are Latino, which is fairly close to population percentages.
George Halvorson, CEO of Kaiser Permanente, said there were not any Latinos in leadership positions at the company. He encouraged Latinos and Spanish speakers to consider healthcare careers.
