Building Community and Inspiring Greatness with PALMa

Read time: 4.5 minutes

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, McKesson’s employee resource group (ERG), the Professional Association of Latinos at McKesson (PALMa), is helping us learn, share, and lift up the rich and vibrant cultures of the Hispanic/Latino community.

PALMa’s vision is for Hispanic and Latino McKesson colleagues to develop the capabilities and community needed to strengthen and grow their careers at McKesson. Find out how two of our PALMa board members’ experiences have helped them connect with and support those in the Hispanic/Latino community while advancing their careers.

Tanya Rodarte has been with McKesson for the past nine years and serves as a strategic program manager for Compass, an inventory management program utilized by McKesson Health Systems. She is also co-chair of PALMa’s Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) chapter. Tanya is the daughter of immigrant parents who came from Mexico, and she has several family members who also work at McKesson, including her husband, who has been with the company for six years.

Ashley Rodriguez joined McKesson two years ago and serves as a program development and activation manager within the Global Impact Organization and PALMa DFW co-chair. She also runs a coalition called the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition in her spare time.

Why are you passionate about PALMa?

Tanya: As a first-generation Mexican American with heritage rooted in Jerez, Zacatecas, my background greatly shapes my commitment to our community. My parents are my biggest inspiration, and I got my work ethic from my dad. He started a successful mechanic shop from the ground up, and my mom has been a cafeteria lady for 30 years. Seeing their dreams come to life has been special, and it taught me that I could achieve my own. In May of 2023, I was honored to represent McKesson and PALMa leadership at the Latina Style 50 Awards and Diversity Leaders Conference. This impactful event celebrated Latinas from across the nation, and it motivated me to continue supporting our community and making meaningful connections.

How has being part of PALMa helped you connect and collaborate with others in the community?

Ashley: My family is predominantly Spaniard, with some Basque, Indigenous and Mexican roots as well. My grandmother was born in Spain, so I am not a first-generation American. I love that PALMa has given me the opportunity to connect with my roots and others in my community through leadership opportunities. Last year I served as a mentor with two Latino youth organizations, and it was so inspiring to get to know these individuals.

PALMa has also given me access to a greater ERG Network comprised of approximately 12 other corporations across North Texas, and we meet quarterly to share best practices and successes. McKesson hosted this quarter’s event, and I brought in five community organizations that serve Latinos in North Texas. It was special because every leader thanked me for showing them what types of organizations their ERGs can support via time, talent and treasure.

From left to right: Fellow PALMa member, Juan Excobar, Tanya and Ashley attend a “Celebration of Community” event.

Tanya: I attended the Prospanica Summit in Synergy earlier this year, and it showed me the importance of discussing mental health, financial awareness, work-life balance and other stigmas in our culture. For Mental Health Awareness Month, I began promoting wellness in the Hispanic community to address these topics. We hosted events that provided insights and resources, fostering engagement and open discussions on these important issues.

Serving as a PALMa board member has instilled in me a mindset focused on cultural topics, career development and personal growth. Many of our members are first-generation professionals or the first in their families to pursue corporate careers. We discuss interview struggles, adjusting to corporate life, healthcare perspectives and financial awareness within our culture. We also celebrate our achievements and positive outcomes in our ERGs through collaboration.

Tanya attends a “Latina Style 50” conference.

How have your experiences with the ERG impacted you outside of work?

Ashley: I run a coalition called the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition that has been around for almost two years. It serves as a link between the community and health and social services, and it allows us to advocate for access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery to Latinos across Arlington, Texas. We have about 60 members, and we meet monthly to discuss the need for bilingual resources and how we can better support inclusivity.

What is your favorite part about being a PALMa board member?

Tanya: One of my favorite parts of being on the board is putting together social events. For two years, we’ve hosted “Holiday Cafecito” where we gather in the cafeteria and enjoy café (which means coffee in Spanish) and a Hispanic dessert. Several members also bring desserts from their own culture, and we share recipes. Ultimately, PALMa provides a supportive environment where all McKesson colleagues can develop skills, nurture their careers and build a strong sense of community.

Ashley: I love that everyone in leadership is so dedicated to being an active part of the ERG. We have a very collaborative environment where everyone brings ideas to the table and takes ownership. It has been such a privilege to work with people who are passionate about the ERG, and it’s amazing to see how much we accomplish when we work together.