JCPenney is continuing our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a second associate feature on Laurene Gandolfo, senior vice president of home product development and design. In her reflections, Laurene remembers her heritage and the many ways her culture and family history influence her leadership style as she approaches almost four decades of working in the retail industry.
Cuban-born, Laurene notes her favorite family traditions are gathering on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) each year and the memory of her over-the-top fifteenth birthday celebration with a quinceañera. The sacrifices of her parents, which set her up for professional success, have inspired her to mentor and sponsor other Latina women throughout her career, encouraging them in their cultural identity and professional journeys.
Earlier this month, JCPenney was proud to be included in the LATINA Style 50 Report of the 2020 50 Best Companies for Latinas – Laurene’s leadership and generosity of her time and expertise to her fellow Latina associates is a great example of how and why the Company earned such a prestigious recognition. Be sure to subscribe to our blog, and don’t miss next week’s third and final associate profile in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.