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The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility Turns 20-Years |
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| Published on June 5, 2006 |
In 1986, a group of visionary individuals and dedicated organizations came together to lay the foundation that would result in the formation of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR).
The organization’s primary mission was to promote Hispanic inclusion in corporate America at all levels.HACR Board Members and organization executives decided that the best way to measure whether or not a company is committed to diversity and Hispanic inclusion was by focusing on four key areas: employment, procurement, philanthropy and governance.
This mission and engagement model has guided the organization through its growth and advocacy role during the 20-year history.The organization featured a strong, united and committed group of board members, each leader of their own organization, who remained fully engaged with the organization’s advocacy role.The growth and success of the organization can be attributed to their active participation.
As a united front of national Hispanic leaders, HACR Board Members gave the organization its tools to confront and engage corporate America then and now.HACR’s principal argument for engagement was not only the rapidly burgeoning and influential U.S. Hispanic community but also its objective research on issues such as Hispanic demographics, corporate best practices, and corporate governance.In fact, after the Sarbanes-Oxley Act passed, HACR’s Corporate Governance Report became one of the most anticipated and highly sought publications among executive search firms.
The HACR Corporate Governance Report became the first of its kind research document that listed and identify Hispanic directors serving in Fortune 1,000 corporate boards.This research document alone brought vast publicity and attention to the organization in the years to come.But it also presented its biggest challenge: How can HACR influence greater Hispanic representation at the corporate board level?
Initial studies found that Hispanics were woefully underrepresented when compared to other minority groups.This became even more apparent after the results of the 2000 U.S. Census, which provided data that showed Hispanics as the largest minority in the nation.
Research alone was not the only answer to engage corporate America.HACR and its leadership created the Symposium as a platform for presenting and discussing ways to advocate for Hispanic inclusion.The HACR Symposium became the premier event for bringing together Fortune 1,000 corporate executives and national Hispanic leaders to find ways for greater Hispanic inclusion.This event has expanded through the years and provided a real platform for learning and networking.
In 2002 and as part of HACR’s commitment for greater Hispanic representation in the corporate boardroom, the organization partnered with Harvard Business School to create an executive education program on corporate governance.The objective was to create a feeder pool of highly qualified candidates to serve as directors on corporate boards.The program has been a success ever since.This year the program will graduate its fourth class of Hispanic corporate board candidates.
HACR will celebrate its 20 years of advocacy to the Hispanic community during the 14th annual Symposium.Past board members and presidents have been invited and it will be a time of celebration and recognition for all their years of dedication and commitment.
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