The Significance of Embracing and Honoring Multicultural Heritage in the Workplace By David Montes, Executive Assistant / New Business Specialist, Casanova//McCann I arrived in the U.S. alone, leaving my family behind in June 2001. In Ayotlan, a small town in Mexico where I am from, pursuing a career in advertising seemed like an unattainable dream. Also, back there, I felt like a second-class citizen, facing the typical discrimination, prejudices, and challenges that a young gay man encountered at that time in Mexico. My aspiration in America was to be valued for who I am as a person rather than being judged based on my sexual orientation or skin color. Soon, I faced the challenges of a new undocumented immigrant. I didn’t speak English, so learning the language became my priority. My first job was as a farm worker peeling nopal at a packing factory. I took ESL classes at Pajaro Valley Adult School in Watsonville, California, and my professors encouraged me to attend our local community college. However, as an undocumented student, paying for basic needs such as food and shelter plus tuition fees was challenging since I was relying on unstable temporary low-wage jobs. Obtaining my associate degree took me about six years of hard work and perseverance. In 2017, I became a U.S. citizen, which allowed me to apply for financial aid and attend a four-year college. I lost my dad, Jaime, to COVID-19 on December 7, 2020, which was emotionally devastating for me. With the support of extraordinary human beings and teachers, I became a first-generation graduate from CSU Fullerton with a B.A. in Advertising in the Spring of 2021. I had planned to complete at least two internships before graduating college to gain the skills needed to be competitive in the job market. However, due to circumstances, this became unattainable. After graduating, I struggled to find a job and decided to send my resume everywhere. I needed the resources to financially help my mom and sister back in Mexico and cover my expenses. I secured a virtual internship at an advertising agency. However, my time at this agency led me to believe that I needed to meet the expectations of the advertising industry due to who I am. When I sought guidance on applying for a specific role during my internship, the recruiter informed me that I should be realistic and didn’t qualify for the position because of my accent and background. This experience made me realize the significance of following one of the most essential pieces of advice from one of my exceptional professors at CSU Fullerton. I don’t recall the exact words, but the message was: “Conduct thorough research about the values of the company you aspire to work for and how those values align with your own.” This time, I followed my professor’s advice and applied only to organizations that align with my core values. I received an interview invitation for the 2023 summer internship at the multicultural advertising agency Casanova/McCann. On my second try, I obtained an offer. My experience at Casanova began on a Monday. On that day, only the internship coordinators and a few other agency members were working, as the agency follows a hybrid schedule: work in the office only on Tuesdays and Thursdays and virtually on the other three days. Even though the agency was nearly empty, it felt alive. I first noticed the beautiful mural at the entrance, representing the agency’s commitment to celebrating the cultural roots of Hispanics in the United States and the world. While waiting with the other interns for our first orientation meeting in the lobby, I felt nostalgic because the decor was reminiscent of the celebration seasons in Mexico with its papal picado. However, what impressed me was seeing the agency values physically painted in the conference rooms. The pride room stood out to me, with a rainbow flag representing the pride and struggle of all those who have fought for equal rights in the LGBTQ community. The next day, I received a warm welcome from everyone I interacted with. While at my assigned desk, I could hear the ideas exchanged and the project discussions in English and Spanish; this made me feel like I was at home. With time, I learned that all these intelligent professionals who excel in their fields are proud of their roots and show it in their work. The President and CEO, Ingrid Smart, presented the agency’s vision and values. She was passionate when describing the importance of living the agency’s values and talked about the significance of the agency’s vision. People often don’t speak of love or caring for others in business, but Ingrid does. That’s why her passionate leadership, love for the agency, and her work make Casanova the agency it has become today. All these factors motivated me to work hard in pursuit of a permanent job at the agency, which became a reality after my internship. I feel fortunate to work under the guidance of a kind and intelligent leader like Ingrid Smart. She promotes and embodies the agency’s values, encourages me to learn, guides me through challenges, and inspires me to grow. Working with my team daily, I’ve learned that our diverse backgrounds, which include bilingual and bicultural professionals from Latin America, the U.S., and other countries, provide unique perspectives that enhance our creativity. This rich multicultural heritage helps us develop a positive, impactful change in advertising. Being a Mexican immigrant and LGBTQ person from a small town, my experience at Casanova has been gratifying. Building a career in an agency that values diversity and inclusion is a priceless gift in life. Contact: DAVID MONTES (He, Him) EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT / NEW BUSINESS SPECIALIST 3337 Susan Street, Suite 200, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Direct: 949-508-1012• Mobile: 619-724-2746 David.montes@casanova.com | 
