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Diversity
Each year, National Hispanic Heritage Month amplifies the heritage, history and diversity of Hispanic Americans. The mid-September start date highlights the seven Latin American countries that have holidays to celebrate their liberation from Spanish control in the 1800s:
- Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica - September 15
- Mexico - September 16
- Chile - September 18
The month-long celebration also represents Hispanic heritage from 20 countries and territories worldwide. This year's theme, "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," honors the innovators and changemakers seen in all generations and facets of Hispanic culture. We are honored to celebrate a handful of our own Pioneers of Change who are transforming tomorrow with their many contributions at Pepper and beyond.
Dan Bonacci, Project Manager, Cincinnati
“As a second generation Mexican American, this month truly means a lot to me. It is a reminder to celebrate the culture, traditions and history of my family. We celebrate together with other Hispanic families and friends and immerse ourselves in one other’s culture - because we are all different from one another. We don’t close ourselves off; we love to share our Hispanic cultures, especially the food.
“Shaping the future is about being inclusive and encouraging people of all backgrounds to take a chance in our industry. At Pepper, I see us continuing to invest in our youth. As a Pioneer of Change, I challenge our teams to continue our outreach to youth, minority trade partners and minority workers of all backgrounds. You never know someone’s abilities if you don’t make the effort or take a chance.”
Sal Quiroga, Superintendent III, Barrington
“Being a descendant of immigrating Mexican parents and having the opportunity that many dream of having, I enjoy the celebrations that include sharing the stories, food, music, art and history that reflect the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to society.
“I live out my Hispanic heritage every day by continuing my Mexican customs and culture, teaching them to my children and helping those around me. Growing up, I witnessed a strong commitment to ethics. It’s a huge part of who I am now - and how I conduct myself every day. I started with Pepper as an entry-level Carpenter Apprentice and have become a Pioneer of Change by maintaining the values my family handed down to me. In my work and all aspects of my life, I demonstrate what that kind of commitment can produce.”
Daniel Garcia, Superintendent, Foreman II
“As a Pioneer of Change in the construction Industry, I aspire to leave a legacy of empowerment for the next generation. Through my role as a Superintendent, I am in a unique position to inspire the Latino community. Every day, I can empower our Spanish-speaking trade partners, vendors, students, business owners and community leaders. My hope is that I can find opportunities to help our Hispanic trade partners grow and become even more successful. Whatever path they take, I encourage them to never give up on their dreams and to always continue to do what’s best for them and their families.
“I feel honored as a Latino to represent my heritage at Pepper Construction and to reflect our commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity.”
Pablo Silva, Project Executive, Chicago
“In addition to keeping cultural traditions alive and supporting Hispanic businesses and artists, I honor my heritage by speaking my native language and incorporating it into daily conversations. This keeps the language alive and helps us connect to our roots. At work, I use my language to bridge the gap between staff and tradespeople who do not speak English, helping to prevent communication challenges. It’s personal to me and helps to ensure that everyone is treated with the same respect.
“Hispanics play a significant role in the construction sector, comprising a large portion of the workforce. However, we still lack representation at the senior and executive levels. As a Pioneer of Change, I aspire to pave the way for the next generation of Hispanic leaders, supporting their development and making it easier for them to achieve their career goals. Along the way, I want to foster a space where no one feels the need to mask their personal identity to fit into a mold that others define as ‘normal.’ Every individual needs to know that they truly belong.”
Juanita Garcia, Project Executive, Chicago
"I attribute my sense of responsibility to preserve natural resources for future generations I attribute to my indigenous Hispanic heritage. Naomi Davis of Blacks in Green often says she looks to ancestral wisdom of our elders in what she calls “Grannynomics” In an effort to reduce waste and pollution like my grandmothers, I drive an EV and I carry reusable bags and portable cutlery.
Throughout my career I’ve been motivated by a vision of a regenerative built environment in harmony with nature to benefit the health and well-being of communities for generations. As a Pioneer of Change, I honor my indigenous Hispanic Heritage by stewarding resources, instead of degrading scarce resources perpetuating environmental injustice."
