Get to Know – October Newsletter

Where did you grow up? I grew up in the suburbs of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

When you visit your hometown, what’s the one thing you make sure you do/eat/see? I like to walk in my old neighborhood and revisit childhood memories that I always keep with me. I also have a large family and we must have a family reunion. 

How did your upbringing shape the person you are today? I can’t remember a time where my parents were not caring for an elder, they worked hard and yet found a way to always have time for me. Family, caring and responsibility is core to who I am.    

What was your first job? I had my first job at age 15 teaching computer science in rural schools. But my favorite job was grooming dogs at age 16.  

What was your favorite mistake? I was the caller at a fundraiser bingo, it is time to call the numbers for a 50/50 raffle. Stakes are high, people take bingo very seriously. Through the microphone I called 966006. There is chaos in the room, people are screaming, nobody has the winning number, bingo night is ruined. It took me a while to realize I was holding the ticket upside down, the winning number was 900996. I had to fight my laugh for the rest of the event to avoid another embarrassing moment.   

What’s your “why?”  What are the drivers that motivate you to do what you do at Colgate? I have plenty of “why?” but I prefer to ask “for what purpose?”. People motivate me, the ability to have a positive impact on someone’s life motivates me. Perhaps I do what I do at Colgate for the purpose of helping people.  

Which benefit or program do you wish employees would utilize more?I wish employees would read and take time to look at the resources we provide so when they are in need they remember there is a program or a benefit that could help them.

In your opinion, which benefits-related area is posing the biggest challenge right now? Besides the expected cost increase because of inflation, mental health continues to be a challenge; How can you help those who may not know they need help or don’t feel comfortable asking for help? And when they do ask for help, where do you start when access is limited and the path to recovery is not a straight line?