TRI CULTURE SPOTLIGHT

For Hispanic Heritage Month, I asked a few of our TRI team members to share a bit about their roots, favorite traditions, and how their culture shows up at work. Their answers were sweet, meaningful, and… naturally, they made me hungry.

Rodrigo

Roots: His family is from Zapopan and Guadalajara. To him, heritage is Spanish feeling like home, food tasting like memory, music moving your spirit, and carrying the stories, sacrifices, joy, and grit of generations before him.

Favorite Tradition: Sunday morning menudo, bolillo with frijoles, chilaquiles, and the matraka at celebrations.

Culture at Work: Growing up in a Hispanic household taught him that collaboration is a way of life by solving problems together, lifting each other up, and celebrating each other’s wins.

Apparently Sundays come with a full menu and a soundtrack. The vibes are immaculate.

Xochitl

Roots: Her family is from La Barca, Jalisco and Guadalajara, Mexico. Her heritage reminds her where her family comes from and helps her appreciate the roots that shaped who she is today.

Favorite Tradition: Cooking together with family – especially carne asadas where everyone gets to cook, eat, and catch up.

Culture at Work: Her background taught her the importance of family, community, supporting others, and being there when someone needs help.

Carne asada is technically dinner… but we all know the real event is standing around talking for hours while somebody guards the grill.

Karen 

Roots: Karen’s family is from Hidalgo, Mexico, and she says her heritage represents her values and principles.

Favorite Tradition: Mixiotes – pork in red sauce wrapped with maguey leaves.

Culture at Work: She loves that working together gives everyone an opportunity to learn about each other’s cultures and traditions.

Karen casually introduced us to mixiotes and now the rest of us are wondering why there wasn’t a sample attached to the questionnaire.

Jessica A.

Roots: Jessica’s family is from two different parts of Mexico – her mom is from Ciudad de México (Mexico City), and her dad is from Morelia, Michoacán. Her heritage connects her to her family, traditions, and the generations that came before her. It also reminds her of her family’s history and the sacrifices they made to create opportunities for the future.

Favorite Tradition: Making tamales with her abuelita for Christmas dinner. Everyone helps prepare the masa and filling while talking, laughing, and spending time together. For Jessica, making tamales is more than preparing food – it is a tradition that brings her family together and keeps her connected to her Mexican heritage.

Culture at Work: Growing up with strong family traditions taught her the importance of teamwork, supporting others, and making sure everyone feels included. She brings that same mindset to work by building relationships, being respectful, and always being willing to lend a hand.

Making tamales is clearly a team project. Everybody gets a job, fed, and abuelita is the CEO of the whole operation.

Mayra 

Roots: Mayra is from El Salvador, and her homeland is a source of great pride for her.

Favorite Tradition: Salvadoran Independence Day.

Culture at Work: She sees TRI’s work reaching different countries, connecting what we do to a much bigger community.

Major hometown-pride energy. When your favorite tradition is literally celebrating your country, the assignment understood itself.