LatinX Voices at Amplitude: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for deep reflection and celebration, honoring the Hispanic and LatinX community’s rich cultural legacy and enduring contributions. From the early Spanish explorers who first set foot on North American soil to the vibrant influence of Hispanic culture, the impact of these communities is woven into the very fabric of our nation.

Hispanic and LatinX Americans continue to thrive, playing pivotal roles in shaping civil rights movements, driving economic growth, and increasing representation. As we continue to build on the legacy of navigating diverse spaces and harnessing opportunities in fields like technology, we aim to create lasting impact and generational wealth for families and communities.

In honor of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Amplitude, we had the pleasure of learning from the leaders of our employee resource group, LatinX, including:

• Felipe Luna, Senior Customer Sucess Manager II
• Stephanie Sanchez, AWS Business Development Representative

Please share a bit about your background and journey to your current role at Amplitude.

Felipe: I started my career in tech eight years ago in Bogotá, Colombia, as a business student with no engineering or software experience. That leap has taken me to live in some of the most exciting cities in the U.S., including Chicago, San Francisco, and now New York City.

Early in my career, I chose to specialize in developing new markets while staying connected to my roots. For the past six years, I’ve worked as the first Customer Success Manager and Account Executive focusing on the LATAM market for several companies. This journey led me to Amplitude, where I became the first employee dedicated to growing the LATAM market, eventually leading to the expansion of our team in São Paulo, Brazil. Now, I work with customers across North America, helping them build better products.

Stephanie: My background is actually in Theatre and Early Childhood Education! On paper, it might not be the background you’d imagine working at an analytics company. However, my ability to run or read a room, build trust, and read between the lines are what make me unique in this space. At Amplitude, I had the opportunity to explore a path in Partnerships, where my individuality makes me excel!

How does your heritage influence your daily life and personal identity?

Felipe: Coming from a different background has given me the opportunity to approach challenges with a fresh perspective and bring a unique point of view to the table.

I’m proudly Colombian—my heritage is at the core of who I am. As an immigrant, I feel a deep responsibility to be the best ambassador for my country. I want people to know how stunningly beautiful Colombia is and how warm and vibrant its people are, and if I can inspire someone to visit, that’s a win!

My heritage drives me to work harder so that when people see me, they see a reflection of my culture and my people.

Stephanie: My family, in particular, pushes me forward every single day, especially when times are tough. I look at my family and am able to take a step back to remember how hard they worked to get here. I also push myself daily, knowing that it’s my responsibility to take my family further.

How has being part of Ampltiude’s LaxtinX ERG impacted your professional journey or career goals?

Felipe: Being part of the LatinX ERG has been a great opportunity to connect with people who share similar backgrounds, discuss topics important to our community, talk about our careers, and make new friends.

I’ve also had the chance to find amazing mentors and mentees who have made a significant impact on my career and helped me find fulfillment and excitement at Amplitude.

Stephanie: As a leader in the LatinX ERG, I know we still have a lot of work to do. But I hope to one day create teams that are inclusive of all backgrounds and give folks a seat at a table they might not even have previously known existed.

Can you share a moment in your career when you felt particularly proud or empowered as a LatinX tech professional? What piece of advice would you give to others based on that experience?

Felipe: Having the opportunity to be the first person to work in the LATAM region gave me many chances to learn, differentiate myself, and make a tangible impact. Watching the LATAM region and team grow has given me an immense sense of pride here at Amplitude—it feels like my baby. We have some incredible customers in the region who are leading innovation, and it’s been gratifying to hear many of them recognize how much better it is to work with someone who understands their social, cultural, and economic background.

It was great to validate that it’s not just about language but truly understanding the context of where we are doing business.

Stephanie: One day, my VP saw me sitting in the office and asked me to join a session with other leaders in my organization to plan for the second half of the year. That simple ask made me feel so empowered and let me know that my opinions are truly valuable. My advice would be to other leaders reading this: It is so easy to give traditionally marginalized groups (TMG) folks a seat at the table at all stages of their careers. Just ASK them for their perspective.

What are some ways we can improve our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize LatinX heritage to strengthen cultural understanding and inclusivity in our workplace or community?

Felipe: Where to start? I believe the most important way to improve our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is to be intentional. It’s not just about the food and music (though those are great) but about making a conscious effort to understand the challenges the community faces and exploring ways to improve conditions for everyone. Fostering deeper awareness and taking meaningful actions promotes cultural understanding and inclusivity.

Stephanie: Give LatinX employees the opportunity to grow by making us a part of the conversation with leadership.