Every fall, a familiar word echoes through offices and plants from Texas to Toronto, Barcelona to Paris: “¡Lotería!” It’s more than a game—it’s a celebration of culture, a joyful tradition, and a meaningful way to build connection across generations and geographies.
As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, teams across North America and Europe gather around colorful cards and beans, laughter filling the air. For many, it’s a nostalgic return to childhood memories—playing Lotería with cousins during holidays, birthdays, or family cookouts. For others, it’s a new tradition, embraced during company celebrations like Thanksgiving and beyond.
“One of my fondest memories takes me back to elementary school—probably 3rd or 4th grade. I wandered into a classroom where they were playing Lotería. I remember being instantly captivated by the colorful images and the fast-paced energy of the game. The excitement built with every card called, and the best part? They gave out toys as prizes! That moment sparked joy, connection, and a sense of belonging that I still carry with me today.”
– Evila Melgoza, Structured Contracts SIOP Leader
Across Schneider Electric, events like these spark conversations, foster community, and offer space for storytelling. Whether we’re savoring empanadas, sipping Jarritos soda, or hearing someone shout “¡ESCALERA!”, we’re building a workplace where culture is shared, celebrated, and honored.
Honoring culture, fostering inclusion
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the contributions, traditions, and vibrant identities that enrich our workplaces and communities. It’s not just about one culture—it’s about the way all heritages intersect and shape our shared experience.
At Schneider Electric, we recognize that honoring culture means recognizing the people behind it: those who came before us, those building the future today, and those whose stories inspire connection and pride.
The Hispanic Professionals ERN – open to all
At the heart of our celebrations is the Hispanic Professionals Employee Resource Network (ERN), a community open to all employees, regardless of background. Its mission is simple but powerful: to create opportunities to connect, learn, and grow through cultural awareness and collective support.
This aligns with our IMPACT value of Inclusion, where every story and background brings unique strength. Many of our ERN members identify as bicultural or multicultural, offering perspectives that go beyond heritage to embrace innovation, collaboration, and empathy.
Last year, this spirit came to life through vibrant programming across our offices:
- Cooking Together: In partnership with Abuela’s Counter, employees learned to make empanadas, ceviche, and sangria. Ingredient kits were shipped to participants’ homes, making it easy (and fun) to cook along.
- Cultural Conversations: In Nashville, Mirna Garza, Manager, ETO Standardization, hosted a heartfelt dialogue on the experience of bilingual children who translate for their families, pairing the talk with traditional arepas and empanadas.
- Games That Connect: In Houston, Claudia Limas, Customer Success Manager, and Robert Guzman, Project Execution Manager, co-led a lively Lotería event attended by 40 colleagues—full of laughter, stories, and cultural pride.
“To feel seen and understood in this way felt like a warm embrace to my soul. Lotería connects us with our roots, and it was incredibly fun to be able to share this experience with my colleagues.”
– Claudia Limas, Customer Success Manager
Our employees also lead community efforts year-round, forging connections with schools and organizations to ignite curiosity in STEM and empower the next generation of changemakers.
Why it matters… for everyone
Hispanic Heritage Month is not only about honoring culture—it’s about building bridges. Whether you’re sharing your own traditions or learning about someone else’s, it’s an invitation to connect and grow.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. It matters because it celebrates identity, fosters understanding, and reminds us of the strength found in diversity and shared heritage”
– Mirna Garza, Manager, ETO Standardization
At Schneider Electric, we believe that when people feel seen and supported, they thrive. Whether you’re a colleague, customer, or future teammate, you’ll find our culture is powered by people—people who care, connect, and shape the future together.
Make an IMPACT with your career
At Schneider Electric, our culture is grounded in our IMPACT values: Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, and Teamwork. We’re always looking for exceptional people who want to turn bold sustainability ambitions into meaningful action.
We invite you to explore our careers website and join our talent community to stay connected for future opportunities. #ImpactStartsWithUs
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