Representation is not a luxury, nor is it a symbolic gesture. It is a necessity.
When voices from all countries, all cultures and all backgrounds are present in
business, education and government, it ensures that perspectives are not only heard
but valued.
This is not about one nationality, one gender or one political aspiration, it is about the
entire community — it is about advocating for the needs of all people, anticipating global
market shifts and preparing ourselves to meet them with wisdom and foresight.
These are not my words, but those of Col. Marisol Chalas, the first Latina Blackhawk
helicopter pilot in the Army Reserve.
Chalas served as the keynote speaker at the first BINJE’s Best: Hispanic Business
Leaders event last week at the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute at Seton Hall
University – an event co-sponsored by the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
of N.J.
Chalas inspired a crowd filled with leaders from higher education, health care, law and
— most important of all — first-generation entrepreneurs.
Her words carried weight because they came from her lived experience as a
Dominican-born Latina who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1990 and quickly rose through
the ranks while serving in multiple leadership roles, including during Operation Iraqi
Freedom, humanitarian missions in the Dominican Republic, and as a U.S. Army
Reserve Exchange Officer with the Canadian Forces.
Diversity, she said, is a strategic imperative in all aspects of society — and for all
aspects of society.
“The call to claim your seat at the table is for everyone,” she told the crowd. “Your
unique experiences are essential. The diverse viewpoints that emerge from our
backgrounds bring richness to discussion, foster innovation, and drive progress.
Diversity is not a talking point.”
Cultural appreciation is to be embraced, she said.
“What does diversity at the table truly mean?” she asked and then answered. “It means
incorporating the deep generational respect for elders common in many Asian cultures.
It means embracing the focus on community and collective well-being rooted in African
heritage. It means honoring the high value placed on family and social connections in
Latin American societies.
“These cultural values are not negotiable — they are essential. When we claim our seat,
we bring them with us, enriching decisions and ensuring that solutions serve all people
in all markets.”
The journey to that seat is not easy, she warned.
“It demands perseverance, self-advocacy, and often the courage to challenge
established norms,” she said. “It requires us to assert our presence with grace and
confidence, even when the path feels daunting. But every time we occupy a space, we
expand possibilities for those who will come after us.
“This is why uplifting one another is so critical. We must constantly remind each other
that we belong. Our collective empowerment is our strength. Our unity is the force that
can affect change.”
That unity means honoring those who came before — and lifting those who will follow,
Chalas said.
Mentorship and advocacy are keys to increasing diverse representation, she said.
“As we look forward, let us remember that our journey is not only about collective
empowerment,” she said. “Each of us, regardless of nationality or origin, has the
capacity to be a mentor, a leader, and an advocate for our global community. The future
depends on our willingness to invest in one another, to build bridges of understanding,
and to foster a culture of compassion and support.
“Mentorship is not just about guidance — it is about legacy. When we mentor, we plant
seeds for the next generation. When we lead, we create pathways for others to follow.
When we advocate, we ensure that no voice is left unheard.
“As we break down barriers and strive to claim our place at the table, it is our shared
strength, our stories, and our unwavering determination that will light the way. We must hold on to our dreams, support one another through mentorship, and ensure that all
voices are uplifted.”
There is true strength in numbers, Chalas said.
“Together, we will forge a path to success,” she said. “Together, we will create a legacy
of empowerment for generations to come.
“And let us never forget why we do this. We do it for those who will come after us. We
do it for the young leaders watching us now, wondering if they, too, belong at the table.
We do it for the communities whose voices have been silenced for too long.”
Chalas ended her speech with her favorite saying — one that incorporated the message
of this mission.
“It is for them,” she said.
***
Here is an in-depth look at the incredible impact the Unanue Institute is having on the
campus of Seton Hall and in society.
And here is a look at the honorees at the event – all of whom were featured in this print
and digital edition of BINJE.
