Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Sabrina Diaz-Barriga

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are spotlighting employees who make Molson Coors successful and live by our values day in and day out. Today, we speak with Sabrina Diaz-Barriga, a member of the Sales Management Program, who is based in Chicago.

During her onboarding last year, Sabrina was introduced to our employee resource group SALUD, and immediately knew she wanted to join. Since becoming a part of the ERG, Sabrina has been able to connect with employees from different backgrounds to learn about and celebrate their cultures.

Read on to learn more about Sabrina and how she is honoring her culture and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Q: Do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month? If so, how? If not, why?

I do celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. I believe it’s a special way to celebrate my culture as I grew up in two Hispanic countries when I was younger. This is also a great opportunity to share with my friends my favorite traditions and our wonderful cuisine. During September, we celebrate Mexico’s most important holiday, Independence Day on the 16th. This is always a great day to have friends over and cook some Mexican food.

Q: From your own experience, can you talk about Latino inclusivity and why it’s so important?

Ever since I was very young, I have lived in different countries and had the opportunity to meet people from other cultures. My family and I had to move several times from Mexico, Ecuador, the U.S. and even for a couple of months in the Dominican Republic back in 2010 due to my dad’s job. While being in a foreign country, I understood the importance of inclusivity, accepting other cultures and learning from them.

Q: How do you feel about the terms Hispanic and Latino? Do you have a preference on one over the other?

I honestly have no preference over one term or the other. Both terms have a different meaning, one referring to the ethnicity of someone’s culture (Latino), while the other refers to someone’s first language (Hispanic). However, I do identify with both terms.

Q: Do you have a favorite recipe or tradition that has been passed down or is special to you?

My favorite recipe will forever be Chilaquiles Verdes. These are baked tortilla chips which we call “totopos” covered in green sauce with a protein of choice that could either be fried egg, steak or shredded chicken. This is topped with sliced onions, sour creme, shredded cheese and a bit of cilantro. Nothing will ever beat having this for brunch on the weekend.

Q: Who is a Latino leader or role model you look up to and why?

I really look up to my parents since they taught me all the core values that I hold on to today. In a personal and professional way, they have always been my role models. They gave me the fundamental values and thanks to them, I am where I am today.