Together, we are more

The stories we share often reveal just how much we have in common. Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to celebrate those stories and connections that bring us together, enrich our communities, and help us grow. Here, three employees look back at the experiences that shaped their journeys.
 

This year’s theme, Together, we are more (Juntos somos más), underscores the simple but powerful truth that when we support one another, embrace our differences, and create space for every voice, we all benefit.

At State Street, that message comes alive through colleagues whose paths are different in many ways yet connected by a shared belief that none of us reaches our full potential alone. For Carlos Villegas, that belief was shaped by the mentors who lifted him up. Alba Kiihl's journey was shaped by a community that recognized her strengths before she fully recognized them herself. And for Karina Borja Snyder, the relationships she built with colleagues across the country demonstrated that trust and collaboration can turn individual expertise into something far greater.
 

Support received, support given

After immigrating from El Salvador, Carlos Villegas learned early on what it means to rely on the support of others. As he navigated a new culture, overcame language barriers, and took a leap of faith to pursue a college education after years away from the classroom, he often stepped into unfamiliar territory, repeatedly pushing himself beyond his comfort zone. What got him through those moments was the encouragement of family, friends, and mentors who recognized his potential and motivated him to keep moving forward.

“That life-changing level of support I received really taught me to give back, because it was help and support I was not expecting,” he recalls.

Today, as a commercial analyst in Charitable Asset Management at State Street Investment Management and co-chair of the Latin American Professionals Network (LAPN), Carlos carries that lesson forward in the way he shows up for others. Whether mentoring younger colleagues, helping family members navigate their own challenges or creating a sense of belonging for LAPN's more than 800 members, he is guided by a simple belief: The support we receive drives the support we give.
 

Borrowed confidence

There was a moment in Alba Kiihl's career when confidence did not come naturally. Having moved from Brazil more than two decades ago, she understands the uncertainty that can come with building a life in a new country and wondering whether you truly belong.

Over time, she learned to trust her abilities and embrace new professional challenges. Yet, when the chance came to take on a leadership role at a much larger scale, she found herself confronting the same questions that had marked earlier stages of her career.

“The power of community is when others see in you the things you haven’t seen yet. That enables you to believe it and move forward,” she says.

What helped her, according to Alba, was a group of female leaders from around the world who saw strengths in her that she struggled to recognize herself.

Their encouragement became a turning point. Alba, now a managing director in Compliance, credits that experience with shaping her leadership philosophy. She often speaks about the idea of "borrowing confidence" from others until you're able to find it within yourself. Her leadership approach is rooted in empathy, humility and the belief that a good leader doesn’t have all the answers but is committed to creating the conditions for others to succeed.
 

Turning connection into strength

For Karina Borja Snyder, managing director in Relationship Management for Asset Owners, the value of community has deep roots. Raised in Brazil, in a culture where people showed up for one another and achievements were celebrated collectively, she learned that progress is often the result of many people investing in each other's success. For her, community transforms individual expertise into collective strength.

That perspective has followed her throughout her career. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Karina and her colleagues on the Relationship Management team created a virtual forum to stay connected while working apart. What began as a simple Teams chat evolved into a trusted network where relationship managers across the country share knowledge, solve challenges together and learn from one another every day. The result is a workplace grounded on teamwork, where diverse perspectives strengthen outcomes for both colleagues and clients.

“There’s zero competition on the team — we’re all trying to help each other every day,” she says. “So instead of benefiting from one relationship manager, the client benefits from 14 managers.”

In that same spirit, Karina continues to pay it forward through mentoring and sponsorship programs that help others navigate their own careers. Whether fostering connections among colleagues or creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders, she is driven by the belief that everyone benefits when people invest in one another's success.
 

Built by community

Together, Carlos, Alba and Karina’s stories show that success is rarely a solo journey.

Whether through family, mentorship, employee networks, or the colleagues who encourage us every day, the relationships we build often become the foundation for confidence, opportunity, and success — reminding us that when we invest in one another, we all move forward together.