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Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 and gives us at Mr. Cooper Group the perfect opportunity to highlight members of our Hispanic Organization of Leadership & Achievement (HOLA) group.
HOLA’s mission is to grow and develop leadership skills while inspiring its members to succeed individually and as a group, both professionally and personally. Here’s what some Coopers in the group said about their Hispanic heritage, and what their cultural identity means to them:
Maria Lamas
Executive Principal, Legal
What does Hispanic Heritage Month meant to you?
I moved to the U.S. when I was 10 years old. The Hispanic culture is deeply ingrained in who I am. The importance of doing good work that helps the collective “us,” or the community we live in. My Hispanic heritage reminds me to think of how I impact the world around me, how I can help us be successful together, how to thrive on and celebrate differences, and how to not let go of the past and where we come from but use it as impulse to move forward.
How do you typically celebrate your heritage?
We celebrate our heritage by ensuring that we keep our traditions alive even when we live away from home by taking them everywhere we go—this means celebrating Christmas on the 24th and not the 25th in the morning, celebrating holidays related to our countries by cooking traditional food and dishes, and by being leaders in our communities and at work.
What made you want to join HOLA at Mr. Cooper?
I wanted to take part in the huge effort our company is making to use diversity as the best tool in our toolbox. I wanted to make sure the voice of our Hispanic employees and their experiences were heard and acknowledged, and work with our leadership to include diversity in all aspects of our jobs here.
Sol Duree
Sr. Compliance Specialist
What do you wish people knew more about the Hispanic community?
That we are a very diverse culture; we come in many different shades. We have deep-rooted traditions, and in our culture, we do not value material things in the true sense of the word. We value family, friends, our people, and our faith. We enjoy life to its fullest.
How do you typically celebrate your heritage?
There is no one special way that I celebrate being Puerto Rican; it is just who I am. My heritage is something that is ingrained in me since birth: to be proud of it, to proudly show off our colors by displaying our flag, literally to wear it on our clothes, and to share our food and music with the world.
What made you want to join HOLA at Mr. Cooper?
I think what made me join was how proud I am of my heritage, and wanting to share my culture with everyone.
Angel Ramos
Manager, Litigation Support & Research
Does your Hispanic heritage ever lend itself to your job function?
All the time. I work in the legal department, but you would be surprised how many times we’ve been able to dismiss lawsuits by being able to speak the borrowers’ language. A translator cannot build trust, empathy, or a congenial connection; being able to relate with the borrower firsthand is a key element to settling cases prior to reaching a trial.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
It’s when Hispanics have the opportunity to showcase their culture to the world. As a Hispanic American, I identify myself with the Mexican culture. My parents are from Mexico, but my sister and I were born in the U.S. For us, it’s when we feel closer to our family in Mexico. It’s something that they experience every day, and we get the chance to experience it as well.
What do you wish people knew more about the Hispanic community?
It covers all nations that speak Spanish, from the bottom of Argentina to the Caribbean Islands with many dialects and differences in our Spanish vocabulary. Our food is different, our customs are different; however, the unifying family spirit is the same across all Hispanic groups. This is what drives us all together; we help each other out and build each other up.
John Phillips
Dedicated Loan Specialist
Why is being a part of a resource group like HOLA important to you?
That representation matters. We come from something, and we are proud to show you the love and compassion separated by borders and oceans, united by language.
How do you typically celebrate your heritage?
By spreading the good news though all media platforms, and continuing to educate, uplift, and create bridges for those who don’t know, don’t care, or don’t understand—all while wearing my Panamanian futbol jersey while listening to old Reggeton.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
That there is a foundation, we came from something—on the back of giants. It is time to celebrate all of our accomplishments, our language, our passions! We too have something to share to culture, and we do matter.
Cesy Pineda
Customer Service Associate
What does your Hispanic heritage mean to you?
Celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
What made you want to join HOLA at Mr. Cooper?
HOLA integrates opportunities to grow and develop leadership skills and inspires members to succeed both individually and as a group.
How do you typically celebrate your heritage?
We cook tamales for Christmas, and other delicious Salvadorian foods.
Doralee Contreras
Claims Associate II – PL
How do you typically celebrate your heritage?
I teach my sons the importance of the traditions of our families. From holidaytraditional foods to the ways of our ancestors, I teach them the importance of being Chicano and to not forget where we originated and who we are today in America. They learn the value of our culture, of different countries with different foods, and of different mannerisms of speaking. By teaching our youth and others the importance of education, we can show them well established Hispanics throughout history who have overcome the views of others in order to succeed in the world.
Why is being part of a resource group like HOLA important to you?
Because it allows me to help our community, find ways to be a positive role model for our future generations, and, as a Mr. Cooper employee, be able to volunteer as part of a group that represents Hispanics.
Does your Hispanic heritage ever lend itself to your job function?
I’ve had a few incidents in which I or a team member receive phone calls from a Spanish-speaking customer—then I do have to use my bilingual skills, which I am more than happy to assist with.
