Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month 2026

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the contributions and influence of the Hispanic community — and together we recognize its rich history, achievements, and dynamic culture. Learn about the cultural traditions our employees cherish and what this month means to them. 

Aldo Leon

VDC Manager

What is one cultural tradition or value that has stayed with you throughout your life?  

Family unity and staying connected have always been important to me. No matter how busy life gets or how far apart we may be, my family makes an effort to stay connected, support one another and celebrate important moments together. That sense of connection has shaped how I approach both my personal life and my relationships with others. 

Who is someone from your family, community or career who has inspired your journey, and why? 

My dad has been a major source of inspiration throughout my life. Through his example of hard work, perseverance, and commitment, he has taught me the importance of staying humble, continuing to learn and following through even when things are challenging.  

What is one career accomplishment you're especially proud of? 

I’m proud of how I lead VDC/BIM efforts on major projects and help teams use technology to improve coordination, communication and project outcomes. It’s rewarding to see how effective collaboration and innovation can make a meaningful difference in the way we deliver our work. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

I would say Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche. I’m originally from Ecuador and grew up by the Pacific Coast, where fresh seafood was always available and amazing. 

Arturo Sanchez

Project Safety Manager

Who is someone from your family, community or career who has inspired your journey, and why?  

My family, especially my parents, have been a major inspiration throughout my journey. Watching their sacrifices and collective work ethic taught me the importance of perseverance and creating better opportunities for the next generation. A lot of what motivates me today is making my family proud and setting a good example for my children.  

What is one career accomplishment you’re especially proud of? 

I’m especially proud of the growth I’ve had within our Safety department. I started in the field, continued learning and developing myself, then worked my way into leadership. I pride myself in now being able to support our self-perform teams, mentor others and have a positive impact on our safety culture. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

It would have to be chilaquiles. You can never go wrong starting your day with some chilaquiles in the morning.  

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Building Companies? 

 It’s having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Safety is more than policies and procedures; it’s about building relationships, earning trust and making sure our craft professionals go home safely to their families every day. 

Pamela Cardona Gomez

EQUIP Project Assistant Manager

What is one cultural tradition or value that has stayed with you throughout your life?  

When I was little, our entire family would get together at my grandma’s house for Christmas and we would cook, light fireworks and exchange presents. Today, my husband and I always try to have the grandmas and cousins present for the holidays because it's important to us that our kids get to have the same kind of experience with the family. 

Who is someone from your family, community or career who has inspired your journey, and why? 

Definitely my mom. She came from very humble beginnings with five other siblings and at a very young age, she had to stop going to school and start working to help her parents. After my parents separated, she kept working to support me and my brother. She taught me the importance of being resilient, independent and pushing forward for myself and for my family. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

Green chicken enchiladas. I truly enjoy this dish and need to have it when we visit my hometown of Mexico City. 

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Building Companies? 

I have spent 12 years on the medical equipment side of construction and five of those with McCarthy. Every time I start another project, there are new opportunities to learn, different challenges to tackle and interesting people to meet. Being a medical equipment planner gives me the opportunity to contribute to the design process of medical facilities that have a direct impact on people’s lives. 

Diana Sanchez

Quality Senior Manager

What is one cultural tradition or value that has stayed with you throughout your life? 

Mexican ballet folklórico dancing runs in my family. My mom was a dance teacher for over 20 years and I danced all the way through college. My love of dance and music has taught me more about my roots and the different cultures that have influenced Mexican folklore. 
 
I also value my family’s tradition of gathering around the dinner table, especially on Sundays after Mass. We set the table, say grace and enjoy good food and great conversations with family and friends. This tradition has taught me the importance of generosity, connection and bringing people together through food. 

Who is someone from your family, community or career who has inspired your journey, and why? 

My parents have inspired my journey. Their strength, sacrifices, work ethic and commitment to family taught me to persevere and stay grounded.  

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

It's tough just choosing one dish, but I would say Mole Poblano is my favorite. I appreciate the depth of flavor and the time and care that go into preparing mole. It always reminds me of my grandmother preparing mole in Mexico. 

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Building Companies? 

It’s the opportunity to improve quality in a way that has a meaningful impact on projects and people. I enjoy partnering with teams in the field and in the office to build practical processes, solve problems and help deliver work that we and our clients can be proud of. 

Jasmin Reyes

Executive Assistant

What is one cultural tradition or value that has stayed with you throughout your life? 

One value that has stayed with me throughout my life is hard work and sacrifice. As a first-generation Mexican American, I was fortunate to see firsthand what those values looked like through my family. I was 7 when I began helping my aunt clean houses on Saturdays and Sundays. Looking back, I realize those experiences taught me much more than just how to work hard. They taught me the importance of showing up, doing your best and making sacrifices to create better opportunities for yourself and your family. 

What is one career accomplishment you're especially proud of? 

I am proud of the growth and progression of my career. I never would have imagined that I would one day be an executive assistant supporting our Finance and Design Phase Services leaders. Looking back, I am proud of how each opportunity and role I've had challenged me to learn something new, step outside of my comfort zone and take on greater responsibilities. Each experience has shaped who I am professionally and has given me the confidence to continue pursuing new opportunities. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

It would be Sinaloa-style barbacoa. It’s a traditional dish that has always been a part of our family celebrations, including weddings, quinceañeras, birthdays and other special occasions. It was my dad’s favorite dish and it’s now my boys’ favorite, too. It’s funny how a certain taste or smell can bring back so many memories. I feel incredibly blessed that I now get to create new memories with my children around a dish that connects us to our family, our traditions and my dad. 

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Building Companies? 

I am excited by the contributions I  make to the leaders I support and the teams around me. I enjoy being someone they can rely on, whether that means helping bring organization to a busy schedule, anticipating needs, connecting the right people or simply finding ways to make things a little easier. 

Colleen Bartle

Talent Acquisition Business Partner, McCarthy Holdings, Inc.

Who is someone from your family, community or career who has inspired your journey, and why? 

My high school cross country coaches were big inspirations. They taught team success isn't just about achieving results—it's about investing in your team and creating opportunities for everyone to succeed. They helped our girls team believe impossible goals could be achieved through trust and a commitment to working together. 

What is one career accomplishment you're especially proud of? 

Overseeing recruiting for a large office while simultaneously earning my master's degree and welcoming my first child. Balancing those responsibilities taught me how to prioritize and focus under pressure. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

My favorite is Sancocho de pescado, a traditional soup made with fresh herbs, yuca, plantains and potatoes. Each region in Colombia has a unique variation and it’s typically served with sliced avocado and white rice. 

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Holdings, Inc.? 

When candidates ask me what I like most about working here, I usually joke, "How much time do you have?" because there are so many things I love about it. Meeting new people every day and learning about their unique stories and skills is certainly a highlight. 

Silvana Caspedes

Project Assistant Manager, Mission Critical

What is one cultural tradition or value that has stayed with you throughout your life? 

One cultural value that has stayed with me throughout my life is the importance of family and community. Whether it be your given family, chosen family or work family, it has always been important to me to treat everyone with respect and put my best foot forward in any situation. 

Who is someone from your family, community, or career who has inspired your journey, and why? 

My mom has always told me to shoot for the stars and that with hard work and determination, I could accomplish anything. Without the strength and leadership of my mom, I most likely would not have ended up where I am today. She has always been my north star and has helped me make tough decisions throughout my life. 

What is your favorite Hispanic or Latino dish? 

Lomo Saltado! It’s a traditional Peruvian dish that combines steak and fries with a rich sauce. 

What excites you most about the work you do for McCarthy Building Companies? 

The construction industry is a fulfilling industry to work in. We often show up on jobsites that are empty lots and we walk away some time later with a grand accomplishment. What makes McCarthy stand out above others is our culture. Whether you’re on a job in SoPac, Central, or Mission Critical, you will find that fellow partners here often have the same mindset and goal. We all strive for the same outcome and have a good time while we do it!