HispanicBusiness

Marlene Dooner
Title: VP, Investor Relations
Company: Comcast
Currently: The Drexel University graduate is now responsible for developing and managing Comcast's relationships with the investment community and shareholders. Before arriving at Comcast in 1995, Ms. Dooner was vice-president at PNC Bank's Communications Lending Group. In 2005, she received the Woman to Watch Accolade from Women in Cable and Telecommunications Foundation. She holds a bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University and a master's degree from Drexel. Ms. Dooner also serves on the board of trustees and managers of Moore College of Art and Design, and is on the board of directors of Philadelphia Hospitality.

Ana Duarte McCarthy
Title: Chief Diversity Officer
Company: Citigroup
Currently: Responsible for the development of diversity strategy for Citigroup since 2002, Ms. McCarthy was awarded Citigroup's Hispanic Corporate Achiever in 2001. She chaired the Corporate Advisory Board from 1998 to 2000 and was also named to the YWCA-NYCA Academy of Women Leaders. Ms. McCarthy notes that she began in the public sector, then moved into the private sector 10 years into her career. She says it was a tough transition, but it paid off. "I was offered a good opportunity, but the change required that I step down to a more junior level to enter the new emerging space of diversity," she says. "While I thought it would be relatively easy, it was frankly quite difficult to become the 'junior' person on the team after having been a leader for several years. It's an experience I value as it reinforces my personal objective to lead without fostering hierarchies."

Laurene Gandolfo
Title: SVP, GMM Home Store; Macy's Merchandising Group Federated Department Stores
Currently: Senior vice-president since April 2006, Ms. Gandolfo began the transition to her new position on August 1. Ms. Gandolfo says she has never looked at herself as a minority, and Federated Department Stores has never made her feel different than her peers. "I think a lot of a person's success is also in the attitude he or she exhibits in his or her job," she says. "If you take the position that in every job you do you'll give it your best shot and lead by example … people will notice and will want you when they need people on their teams." She adds: "Be a self-starter and continue raising the bar for yourself as you reach your goals."

Rafaela Herrera
Title: Corporate VP of Compliance
Company: New York Life Insurance Co.
Currently: With a career in the insurance and financial service compliance industry that started in the 1980s, Ms. Herrera oversees a team of insurance and securities industry compliance professionals who work in advertising compliance. Before New York Life, she was a vice-president at Royal Alliance Associates. Ms. Herrera attributes her success to a positive attitude. "I had a solid foundation – a good education and excellent work ethics," she says. "I worked hard, always pushed myself to do the best job possible, and always gave 100 percent or more. I believed in myself and my superiors always recognized my excellent work ethic and competence."