A Summit with Rhythm, Purpose, and Power: Reflections on This Year’s Latino Community CRG Summit
For half a decade, Pfizer’s large community of Latino employees and allies have come together to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire one another to push forward for ever more progress. Sponsored and organized by Pfizer’s Latino Community Colleague Resource Group, this year’s fifth annual summit was more than an event, it was a gathering filled with rhythm, heart, and the unmistakable energy that rises when the community comes together with intention.
Hosted by Brooklyn Viso, Breakthrough Fellow, and Josh Palau, VP Media Performance, this year’s theme was Voices in Rhythm. We at Pfizer know that when we work together, the power of unity forges something greater than the sum of its part. The spirit of connection and collaboration was palpable all summit long, from the Welcoming Video, where colleagues shared what being Latino/Hispanic meant to them and the simple joy of being in community, through the various speakers and sessions that populated the day.
Daniel Viquez, Senior Director of Program Management - Strategy and Operations Cross-Function, gave an organizational update that set the tone early, reminding us of the reach, strength, and rapid momentum of our CRG. His remarks grounded us in purpose and highlighted how far we’ve come — and how much opportunity still lies ahead.
A powerful session with Ann Hermann, which included a fireside chat with Pfizer’s Chief Technology Officer, Latino Community Colleague Resource Group’s Executive sponsor and proud Latina Lidia Fonseca, brought an entirely new level of self-awareness and team connection. By exploring our thinking rhythms, colleagues discovered new insights into how we process information, collaborate, show up as leaders and navigate tough situations. It was more than a workshop — it was an invitation to see ourselves with deeper clarity and embrace the different thinking styles that make our community so dynamic.
Then came the Rhythm of Resilience Panel, moderated by Ben Coronado, Business Area Manager, US Sales Oncology and featuring Andrew McKillop, Head, Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule, Barbara Garcia, VP, Americas Supply Chain Operations, Alexa Ceballos, Patient Marketing Director at Pfizer’s Dermatology division. Their candid stories — filled with vulnerability, strength, humor, and profound truth — left colleagues inspired and grounded. The message was clear: resilience isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we live.
This year’s keynote speaker was, April Hernández Castillo, and actress known for work on ER, Law & Order, 30 Rock, and Dexter, as well as the 2007 drama Freedom Writers, in which she played Eva, based on real-life high school student Maria Reyes. April delivered a message that captivated the room. Her Hollywood charisma was on display as she reminded the room that our stories matter — every chapter, every challenge, and every triumph shapes who we are as leaders and as people. Always show up as your authentic self and never dim your light for those that surround you. Her words wrapped the entire summit in meaning, encouraging us to own our narratives with courage, authenticity, and pride.
Finally, we celebrated an important transition in leadership — honoring the incredible service of Rodrigo Puga, President of MERA at Pfizer, whose vision and dedication took our community to new heights, and welcoming our new leader, Osvaldo Vidal-Color poised to carry our mission forward with strength, strategy, and heart.
This year’s summit also honored the colleagues and chapters whose work had an extraordinary impact this year. Their dedication embodies the excellence, unity, and creativity that runs deep within our community. The event reminded us of what happens when we lead with rhythm, purpose, and family at the center. We leave more connected, more inspired, and more determined to elevate one another in every space we enter.
Our rhythm is stronger than ever — and this summit was just the beginning of our next chapter.