Chica Boss: Meet Patricia Reynoso, a proud dominican leader who believes in the power of our cultura
The initiative to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by telling inspiring stories of Latinas who stand out for their work at Estée Lauder Companies arose from the passion that Patricia Reynoso, Executive Director of Cultural Relevancy and Engagement at Estée Lauder Companies, has to celebrate and recognize the achievements of many Latinos in her company and in the beauty industry.
Today is our turn to honor her as a Dominican woman who believes in her people, who is inspired by her culture and her potential. We had the opportunity to talk to her during a special day that we spent in her offices surrounded by makeup, hair and fragrance experts.
Karina Muñoz
In the video above and in this interview in which she shares her vision and hope for Latinos you will learn a little more about her life, her faith and her dedication to our culture.
Where does the passion to celebrate our achievements come from?
We have grown and evolved together and sitting here with you today I can look back 10 or 15 years and remember when we lamented and wondered where the Latinas were in this beauty industry. Today we see them present in front of and behind the cameras, being protagonists and participants who are making history. Today we are not only part of the industry but we are succeeding, which is why it is an accomplishment that should be celebrated with passion.
Patricia Reynoso
An important point is to know where you come from and never forget it. Tell us about your origin and how you became become the woman you are today
I am Dominican York, my accent in Spanish is different and in the past this made me feel that I was not Latin enough, because my Spanish did not flow like yours, but my upbringing was special and very Latin, as a New Yorker with Dominican roots, with a very different culture and subculture.
Growing up and evolving also within the beauty industry, I always thought that being the way I was was very cool. I was a beauty editor for many years but it never occurred to me that I didn't fit in or that there was no one like me, I thought that my stories had value and that my parents, my neighborhood and my block had a lot of relevance and that would never change.
Patricia Reynoso
I saw little by little our culture achieve what I had always hoped for: the recognition that we are fabulous and valuable. My children live it now in their own way with their own values.
Patricia Reynoso
I see that your children celebrate and carry this passion. How do you bring that same passion for your work to everything you do with Estée Lauder today?
It's something intuitive. I am blessed to work with Alicia Romero who saw that our culture is a super power and together we make magic. There is nothing to fear because we know it, we have the authenticity to know what is coming and what works and our brands understand and respect it, that is why they give us the freedom to apply it and also think about consumers and what they are looking for.
Karina Guzmán
What would be your advice to someone young who is out there and has big plans in order to feel proud of being Latino, having curly hair, or dark skin and all the features that make us stand out?
There is a place for everyone, for all our experiences and stories, the more diverse the better because for a long time we were stuck in a format, in one possibility of being, of speaking, of living. So don't be afraid to be yourself, but always behave with professionalism and excellence to become very good in your field.
Set high goals and the challenge will happen, even though it sounds cliché and is sometimes difficult for young people to understand. We have to feel comfortable in our own skin and I truly believe that we are now in the perfect era to make our authenticity shine and stand out. There's no need to hide it anymore.
Thank you dear Patricia for celebrating with us the power of culture and the magic of words!
