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Hispanic Heritage Month Interview: Lisette Gonzalez

Oct 15, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Month Interview: Lisette Gonzalez

We had the opportunity to interview Lisette Gonzalez, our Senior Business Development Executive.

September 15th to October 15th marks a time of the year that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This month, we had the opportunity to interview Lisette Gonzalez, our Senior Business Development Executive to learn more about her heritage, how she celebrates, and why this month is so special.

Interviewer: Tell us a little bit about your background and about yourself!

Lisette: I was born in Philadelphia, and raised in Delaware County, specifically Sharon Hill, Pa. I currently live in Moorestown, NJ. I am bilingual and bicultural. My parents are Puerto Rican. I was raised by my step dad who was African American from South Carolina. I have 3 siblings, 6 nephews, 3 nieces, 2 grand-nieces, and 3-grand nephews. I have a beautiful daughter who is 20 years old and attends Rowan University.

Interviewer: How do you celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month? Is there anything special that you do?

Lisette: I sit on a few boards and volunteer my time throughout the year. I am involved in the Philadelphia community, which is very big on celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. I usually attend the Concilio Gala, Hispanic Media Gala, the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs Reception, the Puerto Rican Flag Raising, and the kick-off of Hispanic Heritage Month at City Hall. which is hosted by Council Woman Maria Quinones. I also attend the Hispanic Day Parade.

Interviewer: How does your heritage influence your career and specifically, your work in healthcare?

Lisette: My heritage has some influence in my career, because I add color in the spaces I choose to be in. I have also inherited my mother’s spiritual sense, my ability to read people, my ability to sense the internal sadness of others, and my ability to know how transparent people are or not. These are a few things that also influence my work in healthcare. My intuition usually does not steer me in the wrong direction. This allows me to connect with people naturally, which is important in healthcare.

Interviewer: What cultural traditions do you celebrate and practice that are unique to your Hispanic heritage?

Lisette: Traditionally we celebrate life with family and close friends with music, instruments, Caribbean foods, ethnic clothing, and dance. Our ability to unite during this time is amazing and we are rich in many cultural traditions.

Interviewer: What motivates you in life?

Lisette: I used to be motivated by my mother, but I lost her 2 and a half years ago. She had Pulmonary Fibrosis of the lungs and needed a lung transplant. I lost her in the wait. After this, I needed to find myself again as she was my backbone that kept me standing straight. Finding myself again was a different type of journey, and one that I continue to walk through. I now self-motivate internally. I found self-motivation after losing my mother. I refuse to allow others to impact my internal peace. This allows me to enjoy the path and journey I walk through daily.

Interviewer: Why Blessings4Ever?

Lisette: I found Blessings4Ever through a friend of a friend who told me that Blessings4ever is like a home I would want to be part of. I learned that the owners are women of color. We are a minority-owned business of Latin decent and are passionate about giving back to the community, consumers, and our employees. I knew it was an organization that had similar values as me. especially giving back to others and to the community.

Interviewer: Some encouragement for our readers?

Lisette: I would really like to say that if you have the opportunity to work on you for you, do it! Work on your internal happiness, because no one else will make you happy if you are not internally happy. Learn to accept yourself. In addition, whatever your dream is...get to it! TIME isn’t promised! Why say "tomorrow" to what you can do NOW!!!??? Don’t do it from the Instagram, do it for yourself!!!