VUMC Talent Consultant Allan Moreno was 9 years old when his family moved to Nashville from Honduras. He says his first years in the United States were difficult. Besides navigating a new country, Moreno says he battled against stereotypes.
"When I came to the United States from Honduras, I was told all I could do was play soccer. But that only motivated me to do things that were against the stereotype," said Moreno. "Now that I'm in a role where I can provide assistance, I can help VUMC reach out to marginalized communities and give others the opportunity to showcase their talents."
At Vanderbilt, Moreno helped establish a Latino/Hispanic Employee Resource Group. He also worked to expand the relationship between Vanderbilt Health and the Tennessee Latino Chamber of Commerce. Currently, Moreno serves on the board of the TLCC's Nashville Employee Advisory Board, which mentors and gives internships to college students from Middle Tennessee State University, Trevecca Nazarene University, Lipscomb University, Cumberland University, Fisk University, Western Kentucky University and Tennessee State University. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Moreno says these relationships are important because "it helps makes VUMC more approachable to minority communities in the local area and it helps build a diverse pipeline of talent to career opportunities at VUMC."
Moreno also helped organize the Futuro Spring Conference for graduating students from local universities. Vanderbilt Health will host the conference on March 23 at the Children's Theatre at Monroe Carrol Junior Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. The conference awards students with internship opportunities and provides critical networking opportunities. The other board corporate sponsors will be on hand to meet with students and discuss career opportunities. Students will also be introduced to mentors and take part in professional development activities.
Thanks to Moreno, Vanderbilt Health developed a relationship with the YMCA Latino Achievers and Black Achievers, which provides mentors and internships to high school students. Moreno recently spoke at group's winter conference and discussed the vital role Human Resources plays in an organization. Moreno was the first student president for the YMCA Latin Achievers while a junior at Cane Ridge High School in Antioch.