Conversations with Corey: Nina Vaca on Representation and Success for Diverse Suppliers

As the country continues to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, AT&T is celebrating the community inside and outside of our walls. I’m proud of the strong relationships we’ve been able to build over the decades, especially with people like Nina Vaca, founder, chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Group.

Nina works closely with AT&T and many other corporations to provide workforce solutions, a much-needed service as businesses work to fill many open roles. Pinnacle Group has been one of AT&T’s top Hispanic suppliers since 1999, and we continue to grow together.

Leaders like Nina are a great example of the growing economic influence Latinos have, in buying power and as innovative employees and business owners. The Selig Center at the University of Georgia estimates that Hispanic buying power reached $1.9 trillion in 2020 and, pre-pandemic, Latino-owned businesses employed more than 3 million people, according to the 2020 State of Latino Entrepreneurship report. Clearly there is momentum and economic empowerment is at the center of the transformation.

In this edition of Conversations with Corey, Nina and I talked about her upbringing as the child of Ecuadorian immigrants, how her father’s business inspired her interest in technology and the tools she recommends for minority-owned business leaders. My favorite part of our chat was hearing her thoughts on the role of courage in building a business – I couldn’t agree more, and I think you’ll enjoy that part of the conversation.

Though we are nearing the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, the opportunities to learn, listen and foster understanding will continue. I’m grateful for Nina’s transparency and for decades of a mutually beneficial business and personal friendship and I hope you enjoy watching this Conversation with Corey.