We Can’t Fix What We Don’t See: The Case for Latinx Workforce Research
Change doesn’t happen in the dark.
If we want to build a more inclusive and equitable professional world, we need to shine a light on the realities Latinx professionals face every day: where we thrive, where we’re overlooked, and what’s standing in the way. Research gives us that clarity. It tells the truth behind the titles, paychecks, and promotion paths. It exposes the gaps that too often go unnoticed and reveals the patterns that need to change. For Latinx professionals, research is how we trace the steps already taken and design a future that leads to lasting leadership, representation, and equity.
Breaking the glass ceiling for Latinx professionals requires dedication and a deep understanding of one’s environment. Latinx professionals face barriers that require diligent and informed efforts to overcome. However, without a clear understanding of where Latinx professionals currently stand within the association profession, it’s difficult to measure progress or identify areas for growth. This is why the mission of Association Latinos, as emphasized by Board President Josie Hernandez, IOM, is so critical. It aims to establish benchmarks that reveal how Latinx professionals navigate their careers, what roles they hold, and how long it takes them to advance.
Research acts as the data-driven foundation that nourishes these efforts, providing the evidence needed to advocate for change and create pathways to success. By understanding pay equity gaps, career progression timelines, and the representation of Latinxs in leadership roles, we can better advocate for equitable compensation, professional development opportunities, and DEI initiatives that truly support the advancement of Latinx professionals. Establishing these insights helps associations move beyond surface-level inclusion efforts and into meaningful, systemic change. They offer concrete direction for creating equitable environments where Latinx professionals (and everyone) can thrive and lead.
Research is essential in advocating for DEIA policies and ensuring equal pay. It involves rigorous data collection and analysis to maintain high standards, ensuring consistency and fairness. This meticulous process not only empowers organizations but also ensures that employees are valued and compensated fairly. Research is essential to tell the story of how Latinos contribute to the U.S. economy as employees and leaders in their professions. Perception of Latinos in the U.S. does not always align with the reality, and research is able to debunk those perceptions and tell the actual narrative of Latinos' performance and contributions. As emphasized by Hernandez,
An example of this is how non-Hispanics believe one-third of Latinos in the U.S. are undocumented, though that number is only 13 percent, according to a survey commissioned by several organizations, including the Latino Donor Collaborative.
Association Latinos’s Association Workforce Trends study underscores this importance by providing essential data that helps identify disparities, advocate for equitable policies, and implement effective DEI initiatives. Without such data, it’s impossible to measure progress or understand the challenges faced by Latinx professionals within the association sector. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into workforce dynamics, helping organizations understand the specific needs and barriers that Latinx professionals encounter. For example, it will likely analyze the average time it takes participants to move up the association leadership ladder. It would also highlight educational trends, role duration, and the distribution of gender, ethnicity, age, and association roles. By gathering this data, the profession and community can better advocate for programs and policies that support the equitable advancement of Latinx professionals, ensuring that DEI initiatives are grounded in a deep understanding of the workforce landscape.
For instance, a study by McKinsey & Company found that companies in the top quartile for ethnic and cultural diversity are 33% more likely to outperform their peers on profitability. This data underscores the financial benefits of diversity and provides a compelling case for DEI initiatives. By highlighting these benefits, research can convince stakeholders of the importance of investing in DEI policies.
Moreover, research can reveal pay gaps that are often hidden. The Pew Research Center reports that “in 2022, Black women earned 70% as much as white men and Hispanic women earned only 65% as much.” This statistic emphasizes the need for equal pay initiatives and provides a benchmark for measuring progress. Organizations like the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) use such data to advocate for policy changes and create resources for employers to address pay disparities. DEI initiatives use research to promote fairness in the workplace, ensuring everyone is valued and compensated justly. By paying fair wages and maintaining high standards, organizations ensure that everyone can enjoy the fruits of their labor and be treated ethically and responsibly.
By leveraging research, organizations can develop targeted DEIA strategies, track their effectiveness, and make data-driven decisions. This approach fosters a more inclusive work environment and ensures that all employees are valued and compensated fairly. However, the first step in this process is establishing a benchmark to understand where Latinx professionals stand within the association profession. Without this data, it is impossible to measure progress or identify the specific challenges that Latinx professionals face, such as pay equity gaps or slower career advancement compared with their peers.
The potential of research in furthering Latinx representation is vibrant and promising. The Association Workforce Trends study initiated by Association Latinos aims to create a space where the voices of Latinx professionals are heard and their contributions are recognized. By analyzing data such as the average time it takes Latinx professionals to move up the leadership ladder, their role duration, and educational trends, the study seeks to provide a clear picture of the current state of Latinx representation in associations.
Research can uncover insights that drive Latinx representation in various professions. For example, the study by Association Latinos will likely reveal how underrepresented are Latinx professionals in leadership roles within associations and what factors contribute to these disparities. By investing in research, we can identify effective strategies to overcome these barriers
Continued investment in research and data collection is crucial. Participation from everyone in each round of data collection is paramount and overcoming barriers to participation (such as concerns about privacy) will be key to gathering comprehensive data. The ultimate goal is to establish a long-term benchmark that can be used to measure progress over time, not only for Latinx professionals but for the entire association community.
Through these efforts, we aim to provide a data source that benefits all association professionals and brings more attention to the profession. The Association Workforce Trends study is a step toward recognizing association management as a viable career choice and ensuring that Latinx professionals are not only included in larger workforce studies but also represented accurately and fairly. This data will help align Association Latinos' goals and initiatives, such as supporting Latinxs in obtaining the CAE credential, with the real needs of the community. Future studies will allow us to measure the impact of these programs against updated benchmarks, ensuring that our collective efforts lead to meaningful progress and lasting impact.
Organizations like Association Latinos, with their mission of increasing and advancing Latinx leadership, representation, and inclusion in associations, stand at the forefront of this effort. Their upcoming Association Workforce Trends study will provide crucial data, instrumental in pushing forth DEI initiatives and overcoming many barriers that Latinxs face in the professional world. This research will not only highlight disparities but also advocate for equitable policies and showcase the immense value of diversity, serving as a catalyst for change.
As we continue to support and engage in research initiatives, we become part of a movement that champions equity, representation, and success for all Latinxs. Research can unite us in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable professional landscape. Let’s build a future where every Latinx has the opportunity to thrive, one research study at a time, fostering a community where the rich traditions of our culture empower and uplift us all. Association Latinos provides the networking, empowerment, and support necessary to drive this vision forward, ensuring that our collective efforts lead to meaningful progress and lasting impact.
Association Latinos' Association Workforce Trends study is a groundbreaking initiative set aimed at collecting comprehensive demographic data within the association management profession. Sponsored by Association Latinos and supported by key industry stakeholders, the study gathered insights on employment status, salary ranges, gender identity, sexual orientation, educational background, and ethnic diversity. This data is crucial for identifying potential disparities, guiding strategic decision-making, and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. The study also serves as an essential tool for informing associations on industry-wide trends and best practices, ultimately shaping a future where all professionals have the opportunity to succeed. The Workforce Study is set to be released in the summer of 2025.
References:
McKinsey & Company. (2020). Most diverse companies now more likely than ever to outperform financially. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/sustainable-inclusive-growth/chart-of-the-day/most-diverse-companies-now-more-likely-than-ever-to-outperform-financially
Pew Research Center. (2023). The enduring grip of the gender pay gap. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/01/the-enduring-grip-of-the-gender-pay-gap/