Spotlight on I-SCMA Regional Director of New Jersey and Enterprise Customer Service Manager, Yasna Perez, of Advance Local.
Yasna Perez was featured in Advance Local’s intranet for Hispanic Heritage Month. She shares her story and how her experiences have shaped who she is today.
Who was/is your role model?
My mama. My parents came to this country when my sister and I were very young. She came here not knowing the language, no job, and into a school system she was completely unfamiliar with. I remember her helping us with our homework every day not knowing the language and using a dictionary. We grew up being straight A students. She instilled values in us such as hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. We are very close, and we cannot go one day without speaking to each other.
How has your background influenced your work, leadership style and/or team engagement?
As an immigrant growing up, I had everything I needed, but my family was humble. I watched my parents work very hard and that is something I do every single day at work. I expect the same effort from my team and have high expectations for our team. We strive to deliver excellence and make a positive impact on our customers with every interaction we have.
What are misconceptions or generalizations that should be avoided/addressed to help foster an inclusive environment?
Don’t assume your team has the same needs as you. Understand them by creating an environment where feedback is encouraged and allow them to collaborate.
How can peers be more inclusive in the workplace?
Take the time to learn about your colleagues and their background – traditions, upbringing, culture, etc. Get creative with team bonding exercises. It’s a fun way to gather the team and speak about topics you wouldn’t discuss on business calls.
What do you want colleagues to know about you?
Although I arrived when I was just 3 years old, I did not become a U.S. Citizen until 2021. I became a resident a few years before that and was a “Dreamer” under the DREAM Act during the Obama Administration. My childhood and adolescence were wonderful but also tough. I worked extremely hard to get to where I am today, literally working my way from the bottom up. I began working when I was about 12 tutoring younger kids and then had my first real job at 17 making $5.50 an hour. It’s important for others to know you can build the life you dream of.
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