Honestly, it was how the company spoke about inclusion. As a global company, I’d have opportunities to work with people from all over the world. I see how people apply internally and move upwards or laterally to grow their careers at Quadient. I think this was something that resonated with me before I even started and now, I see it come to life.

Before, when recruiting at other companies, I looked strictly at education — that candidates must have this degree or that degree. But Quadient promotes experience over education because, while not everyone has access to education, they may have valuable experience. This resonates with me being from Colombia as an immigrant myself. Now, when I talk to candidates, I’m looking at transferable skills, like how they think critically.

I would definitely say community. No matter where they are in the world, everybody is readily available, willing to help and wanting to be there for the team. That sense of community has been surprising as we navigate through this new world and work remotely. Just being able to collaborate remotely really speaks to how global the company truly is.

The early 1980s was a very dangerous and difficult time for Colombia. I was about two years old when my parents moved our family to California. They began selling goods at swap meets before growing their business into three clothing stores. While Spanish was my first language, I remember learning English by watching cartoons. My parents were able to provide a really good life for our family.
After 36 years, I became a U.S. citizen in 2021! It was a really amazing experience. I even keep the flag from the ceremony at my desk as a reminder. I feel very Colombian as well as American with my dual citizenship. By participating in groups like Hola — which supports Hispanics looking for work — I can reach out and connect to others with situations like mine and help them navigate the system.