Rosa A. Peredo, Product Market Manager for Indoor Spec Ambient solutions, has over six years of experience in the lighting industry. She has worked at Acuity Brands for two years. We sat down with Rosa to learn a bit more about her experience as a Hispanic American in corporate America.
Tell us a little bit about yourself (work history/hobbies / fun facts)
I immediately started working in the lighting industry upon graduating from Rutgers Business School in 2014. I have managed all types of technologies from Halogen bulbs to HID horticultures to LED products in the last six years, and by far, I'm happy to say that I am working on my most exciting product type today.
I thought I wanted to be an Architect before I decided to become an Economist/Marketer but quickly realized that I could not commit to all those drawing hours. I never thought I would end up working with so many renowned Architects this closely almost a decade later. Talk about full circle.
How has your experience as a Hispanic American been working in corporate America?
My experience as a Hispanic in corporate America has been nothing short of revolutionary. When I started working in this industry, fresh out of college at 22, I was not only the youngest on my Product Management team but one of two Latinas in the entire department.
Being that young and learning the industry's ropes for the first time allowed me to see the importance of representation. I didn't see Latinas doing the type of work I was doing. I was fortunate enough that my personality fit well with the company I started my lighting career with, where I felt encouraged to plant my flags and lead by example.
Being the first to do something never scared me and the opportunity to be challenged by tough adversaries was part of a day's work. It would be the energy from those around me that brewed concern because I knew I was not the type of person they were used to working with. This is when I learned that I represent something much larger than myself. I represent a nation full of brilliant women that look like me, and who deserve to be respected, counted, and heard with equality. My responsibility today, and every day as a citizen of this country, is to wear this representation with pride.
