Celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM), which recognizes the history and culture of the Hispanic and Latin communities, kick off September 15th and run through October 15th! At Protiviti, we take great joy in honoring diversity within our firm, as our organization stands united in fostering an inclusive workplace that champions personal authenticity. Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect opportunity to recognize the contributions and achievements of the Hispanic and Latin communities – both within the company and across the globe. The theme for Protiviti’s 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month is “¡Dale Gas! Powering Progress Together”, which celebrates the energy, resilience, and innovation of Hispanic and Latin communities, and reminds us that meaningful change happens when we move forward together. Throughout the month, Protiviti’s Latin Hispanic Employee Network Group (LHENG) will be hosting events to celebrate diversity and spotlight our workforce.
Leadership Spotlight
This month, we had the pleasure of catching up with Thais Rains, Business Performance Improvement Director based in our San Francisco office. Thais joined Protiviti over six years ago and has been an active LHENG member since 2019, when she launched the San Francisco chapter. Beyond her professional role, Thais also serves as the Executive Vice President of Finance on the San Francisco Associate of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Executive Committee where she continues to make a meaningful impact.
How has being part of LHENG shaped your professional journey?
Being part of LHENG introduced me to Protiviti’s Sponsorship program, Amplify, which I participated in as part of the 2023 cohort. This experience provided invaluable insights and preparation, enabling me to confidently navigate the Director level with a future vision of becoming a Managing Director. The program’s guidance has been instrumental in shaping my professional path.
What community outreach efforts have you been most passionate about through your work with ALPFA, and how have they made an impact?
This year, the San Francisco chapter of ALPFA was recognized at the national convention as the Emerging Chapter of the Year, focused on professional development initiatives. We organized impactful sessions on topics such as Building a Strong Professional Brand, Showing Up as a Strategic Leader, and Executive Presence. These efforts have empowered members to grow as professionals and leaders, fostering both individual and community success.
Can you share how your Hispanic heritage has shaped your leadership style or philosophy?
Growing up in New Jersey within a vibrant Cuban community profoundly influenced my leadership philosophy. My father, a Bay of Pigs veteran and community leader, and my aunt, a columnist for a free Cuban community newspaper, instilled in me the importance of resilience and advocacy. I spent much of my youth striving for freedom for Cuba while appreciating the opportunities afforded by living in the United States. These experiences taught me to persevere toward my goals, no matter the obstacles, and to lead with purpose and determination.
Given our theme for HHM this year, “¡Dale Gas! Powering Progress Together”, we would love to hear about a challenge you’ve faced where ‘Dale Gas’ wasn’t just a theme but a mindset that helped you power through?
During the pandemic, I faced a particularly challenging client engagement. As lockdowns and a global health crisis unfolded, new rules and regulations were rapidly introduced and enforced, requiring immediate action. While many colleagues were able to slow down and explore new opportunities during this time, I had to quickly pivot to help the client implement these evolving regulations while managing a project team to ensure all work was completed virtually. Navigating this uncharted territory taught me invaluable lessons about adaptability and leadership under pressure. By embracing the “¡Dale Gas!” mindset, I powered through the challenges, ensuring the client’s needs were met and the project stayed on track. Coming out on the other side, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment—not only for successfully guiding the engagement through unprecedented circumstances, but also for strengthening the client relationship. Our efforts led to expanded opportunities with the client and successful engagements over the next two years.
By honoring this Hispanic Heritage, not just this month, but every day, we help build a more inclusive and understanding world—one where everyone’s voice is valued and celebrated.
