Northeastern staff members and graduate recognized as top LatinX leaders in Massachusetts Beyazmin Jiménez, Alby Ramirez-Mendez and Angelica Vargas Martin were named to the Amplify LatinX 100 list for their significant contributions. by Alena Kuzub November 15, 2024 Share this story Copy Link Link Copied! Email Facebook LinkedIn Twitter WhatsApp Reddit Two Northeastern staff and a graduate received Amplify LantinX 100 awards for top Latino leaders in Massachusetts. Courtesy photo and Photo by Matthew Modoono/ Northeastern University Two Northeastern University staff members and a graduate have received Amplify LantiX 100 awards, given annually to the top-100 leaders of Latino descent across Massachusetts. Amplify LatinX recognized Beyazmin Jiménez, a director of diversity, equity, inclusion and culture in the Northeastern’s Planning, Real Estate and Facilities division; Alby Ramirez-Mendez, a director of major gifts in Bouvé College of Health Sciences; and Angelica Vargas Martin, who had received her juris doctor degree from Northeastern’s School of Law. A nonprofit that aims to advance Latino prosperity and leadership, Amplify LatinX honored individuals for their excellence and significant contributions in their respective fields and communities. Beyazmin Jiménez Beyazmin Jimenez, director of diversity, equity, inclusion and culture in Planning, Real Estate and Facilities, says the ALX100 allowed her to represent a group of Latinos who are often underrepresented in media or business. Courtesy photo Jiménez has been a transformative force at Northeastern for the past two years. She made it her mission to connect with each of her 380 co-workers, implementing an employee engagement survey and launching a mentoring program that led to a surge in internal promotions. “Being recognized by your team always feels fantastic,” Jiménez says. “My job is to support employees’ well-being and belonging and [this recognition also] made me feel like an important part of my team.” As an Afro-Latina of Dominican and Haitian descent, Jiménez says being a part of the 2024 ALX100 allowed her to represent a group of Latinos who are often underrepresented in media or business. In her DEI role at Northeastern, Jiménez works hard to create an inclusive workplace for her colleagues that supports their well-being and allows them to bring their full selves to the job. “I really do believe that people will work better if they feel like they’re valued, if they feel that the person they’re working next to sees them as a full person and really supports their growth,” Jiménez says. Jiménez grew up in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where she became involved in local politics. Campaigning, she encountered the harsh realities of housing instability, which inspired her to earn a master’s degree in urban planning. She also co-founded Abundant Housing Massachusetts, a statewide advocacy agency, and the Planners of Color Network that connects over 1,000 urban planners across the Bay State. While working at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Jiménez led work in economic access and opportunity for the business community, including the launch of Small Business Strong, a statewide technical assistance program that supports and revitalizes small businesses through timely pro bono resources. In February, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu appointed Jiménez to the Boston Planning & Development Agency’s Article 80 Reform Committee, which is working on improving the city’s planning and development process, making it more equitable, resilient and affordable. Jiménez is also a Health Equity Council member for Blue Cross Blue Shield Massachusetts where she advises on post-COVID-19 pandemic health responses in communities of color. Alby Ramirez-Mendez Alby Ramirez-Mendez, director of major gifts at Bouvé College of Health Sciences, volunteers at organizations that serve immigrants, minorities and people with special needs. Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University The ALX100 award came to Ramirez-Mendez as a surprise. “Being recognized for this work is humbling,” she says. “The work that I do and the involvement that I have with these communities who need the help just come second nature to me.” Ramirez-Mendez was born in San Marcos, Guatemala, and grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts. Although her parents always stressed the importance of education, the family had limited resources for extracurricular activities or private colleges for their three children. That is why she cares about the causes that reflect her own childhood and the opportunities such as scholarships and loans she didn’t know about. Through her involvement with the board of directors of the Lynn Hispanic Scholarship Fund, for example, Ramirez-Mendez wants to ensure that children of immigrants, minorities and low-income communities as well as their parents can find opportunities to continue their education past high school. She also volunteers and helps connect to resources organizations that serve people with special needs. Ramirez-Mendez is proud to be one of the two Guatemalans included into the ALX100 this year. Throughout her career, she says, she rarely saw Guatemalans among colleagues or in leadership positions. “There are very few of us who are professionals in and around Boston,” she says. “I want to be able to serve as a good example for others who are coming after me.” One of the reasons why she accepted a position at Northeastern, Ramirez-Mendez says, was finding out that the dean of the Bouvé College, Carmen Castaneda Sceppa, was also Guatemalan. “That just blew my mind to know that there was somebody in a position of power and decision making,” she says. “I want to continue to blow up expectations and surprise people by what immigrants are capable of and continue to be capable of.” Angelica Vargas Martin Angelica Vargas Martin, a 2007 Northeastern School of Law graduate, has worked in the nonprofit, legal services and disability rights sectors. Courtesy photo A 2007 Northeastern School of Law graduate, Vargas Martin has devoted her legal career to public interest law, advocating for underserved and disparately impacted communities, working within the nonprofit, legal services and disability rights sectors. She is a pro bono director at Veterans Legal Services in Boston, creating partnerships with hundreds of Massachusetts attorneys committed to providing pro bono legal assistance to local military veterans. She also serves as the organization’s diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging officer, spearheading internal and external training and initiatives to ensure that everyone VLS works with and serves feels seen, heard, respected and included. “As a Latina public interest attorney in Massachusetts, it is an incredible source of pride for me to have been honored with this recognition,” Vargas Martin says about the ALX100 award. “I recently learned that only about 2% of the Massachusetts Latino population are attorneys, and I think receiving this award is an opportunity to showcase the great opportunities that we have as a growing ethnic group to make a difference in the local legal landscape and in our communities.” A certified professional life and leadership coach, Vargas Martin previously was an attorney at the Disability Law Center and for the Clubhouse Family Legal Support Project.