Below, we highlight some of our corporate team members who share their favorite parts of their culture and how we all can learn more. 

Alexis Diaz, Payroll Specialist 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

I would say buying a house and getting married; we did both within three months. It was the week of Thanksgiving and a day after my sister's birthday in Bonita, CA, with the reception in Coronado right on the water.

At Novasyte, it would be taking part in on-site trainings and becoming a resource for consultants in the field. Also, as corporate employees are promoted, I have the opportunity to train them when they are consultant-facing.

What are your favorite family traditions?

My family used to spend the holidays at my grandma's house, where we would cook, eat and catch up with each other. My grandma has all of her recipes memorized, not written down, and would make Puerto Rican roasted pork shoulder with rice and beans.

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

One of my biggest accomplishments is raising my two girls; my oldest is 22 and in college, and my youngest is 13. 

What are your favorite family traditions?

Every Tuesday, my youngest daughter and I have a movie night. Once in a while, we go up north (San Jose area) and visit all of our family, including my three sisters and three brothers. 

Some of my favorite memories with my siblings involve making pastellas, where we set up tables for everyone to break down the plantains and make the masa and filling. After the tamales are ready, we sit down, eat and catch up with each other.

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

I am Mexican and Puerto Rican. My mom's mother is from Mexico and my dad is Puerto Rican, so I grew up with both of those cultures. My favorite dishes include pastellas, Puerto Rican tamales, arroz con dulce, Puerto Rican rice, pigeon peas and raw plantains. 

I am also a Zumba instructor, which incorporates Latin rhythms. I work for four different gyms and am a personal contractor. 

How can others learn more about your culture?

Every year, there is a Puerto Rican festival in Gilroy. There is also an event that takes place in San Diego, where you can learn a little more about the culture. In Oceanside, the public library hosts a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

When I graduated high school, I moved away from my parents and have been living on my own ever since. 

Another accomplishment involves starting with Novasyte. The past positions I have had and the things I have learned have paid off to help me get to this position. 

What are your favorite family traditions?

My entire family lives in Los Angeles County, so our major traditions involve getting together and eating a lot of Cuban food. Some of my favorite foods to eat with family are arroz con pollo, plantains, flan, beans and rice, papa rellenas and empanadas. 

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

Cubans are espresso coffee addicts. This is because Cuba was the biggest producer of coffee (tobacco and sugar) and you can find espresso stands everywhere in Cuba. It represents a national pastime for Cubans as a form of "pick me up." As my Cuban grandmother says, "If you feel nervous, have an espresso. If you feel sad, have an espresso. If you need to talk to a friend, go for espresso!" 

How can others learn more about your culture?

Food is an easy way to learn about the culture. I recommend a place in Los Angeles called Porto's Bakery & Cafe. 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

My grandparents moved from Cuba to Florida and then shortly after to Los Angeles so they could build a life and raise a family. My mom took the next step and was the first to receive a full education. I am most proud to follow in her footsteps and continue that focus on education.

As a family, we are connected and keep in touch. I also uphold family values that my grandparents instilled, including hard work and knowing that our actions speak louder than words.

What are your favorite family traditions?

When I was younger, my grandma would make flan for all of the holidays and we would always look forward to it. We also eat a lot of Cuban food, which is all about flavor. My favorite is picadillo and papas rellenas. 

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

Around the holidays, I love listening to Cuban music while cooking. It reminds me of when I was little and we were preparing for the whole family to come over. 

Also, my grandpa was a steelworker at the beginning of his career and he helped build the steel for the Hollywood sign. 

How can others learn more about your culture?

You can learn about the history through music by listening to Cuban singers, watching a show or listening to a podcast about people in the Cuban culture. You can also attend Latin American and Hispanic festivals. 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

I take pride in being a respectful, stand-up guy who always remains true to my word. 

What are your favorite family traditions?

Growing up, my family and I took a lot of road trips. I have three younger brothers who live in Temecula and we enjoy spending time with one another no matter where we are. 

We celebrate diversity in my family. My grandparents met in the 1960s in Los Angeles. My grandfather is fully Italian and my grandmother is half Mexican, half Native American. With the things they had to go through in that time, it is remarkable to see them and the love they have all those years later.

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

I once had dinner with Bill Walton in Encinitas; the grandfather of one of the players I coached won a silent auction prize and we sat with Bill as he told stories. 

My aunt and uncle own a salsa business in the Washington state area called Niño Blanco Foods.

How can others learn more about your culture?

I like to think about what I do to educate myself about other cultures. If you are friends with someone, take a deep dive to learn what their upbringing was like. One thing I learned is how hardworking the Hispanic culture is; how many people migrate to a better environment and are willing to do whatever it takes to make a better life for their family. There is nothing they won't do; they are tough-hearted, eager and open to improving themselves. 

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

I am proud to be a first-generation college graduate. I graduated this year and it has been a highlight for me.

What are your favorite family traditions?

My family is close-knit; my dad made it essential for everyone to stay close together. We get together for birthdays, holidays and just because. Most of our get-togethers also revolve around food; mole, tamales, menudo, chicken tostadas and more.

One of our traditions is to always open presents on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day, we get together and make traditional Mexican cuisine. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; it is the only holiday that has to be traditional American cuisine and I cook the turkey (it is stressful, but I love it).

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

Everything my family eats is fresh from my grandparents' ranch. My family listens to a lot of music; in Mexico, there is always music playing. We are lively people; we like to talk and gossip (the "tea"). We have a cup of coffee with cookies or bread in the evening and watch Novelas with our grandparents. 

How can others learn more about your culture?

My advice is to become embedded it in; talk to people and learn. There are many cities and states that have different traditions, dialects and even food they eat. For example, my husband's family makes salsa from special ants they hunt. I learned that from getting married and getting to know more about my husband's family. Be open to the culture and events taking place that can teach you about the history.

What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishments so far?

I am one of three in my family to obtain a college degree (me and my two cousins). 

Something I am proud of with my role at Novasyte is that I helped to streamline onboarding to make it easier for field and corporate employees. I also helped create a resource link for field employees to use during the onboarding process. 

What are your favorite family traditions?

My favorite holiday is Christmas and I love spending time with my family and making tamales together. On Thanksgiving every year, my grandpa (also known as Belo) cuts the turkey.

What are some fun facts about you/your family?

I love running; it is fun for me. Running allows me to stay at a certain pace and just spend time with myself. I am also double-jointed in two ways. My favorite food is mac and cheese and I also love posale and ceviche. 

How can others learn more about your culture?

We are close to Mexico so it is an opportunity to be engulfed in Mexican culture. Ask your friend if you can go to their Tia's house and learn more. Old Town San Diego also has a lot of different events, including one for Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Novasyte Health Potluck

Here at Novasyte Health, we are fortunate to live in a culturally-rich area. Southern California is a melting pot of people, with heavy influences from Hispanic and Latino culture. To celebrate, our corporate team came together for a potluck. While the team ate delicious food, we also played Lotería.