Employee Spotlight: Arizona Coyotes Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month officially kicked off on Sept. 15, and the Arizona Coyotes are excited to recognize and honor their employees of Hispanic descent and celebrate the contributions and influence they have had not only within the organization, but society as a whole. As the month begins to wind down, we will share their stories throughout the week and highlight what their heritage means to them as we work to continually increase diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the team, and sports overall. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo, the son of Cuban immigrants, was born in New York City and became the NHL's first Latino owner when he purchased the team in July 2019.
Today's edition highlights executive team member Nadia Rivera, Chief Impact Officer and Executive Director of Foundation & Community Impact of the Arizona Coyotes Hockey Club.

Rivera wasn't searching for jobs when she ultimately joined the Coyotes in January 2022 as the club's first-ever Chief Impact Officer, but when team President and CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez reached out regarding the opportunity, her interest was immediately piqued.
She knew after interviewing with Gutierrez that the role had the potential to be so impactful, she couldn't turn it down.
Rivera's Hispanic heritage is what shaped her desire to give back to the community.
She was born in a border town and immigrated from Mexico at age six. Rivera attended Arizona State University in 1998 where she received her Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Political Science degrees, and has spent most of her professional career focused on serving others.
That desire comes from both her upbringing and life experiences.
"I know the vulnerabilities of underserved, diverse communities, so I'm sensitive to those," Rivera said. "That's part of why I chose what I do, because I'm an underdog, so I want to help the underdogs."
The sense of commitment she has to the community is directly linked to her Hispanic heritage. Her sister, for example, was very involved with Lions Club, and included Rivera on her very first volunteer experience - a shoe drive in Nogales during the holiday season.
Rivera remembers that vividly because, rather than conduct a toy drive, which are extremely common during that time of year, the project was a shoe drive because that's what the town's children truly needed.
She also remembers her mom consistently giving back to the community, while asking for nothing in return. Rivera's father worked for a manufacturing company based in Mexico, so his job consistently took the family to impoverished towns.
Though the kids at play didn't know any differently, Rivera's mom was always finding ways to give back.
She still does.
"I made friends with all of these kids in dusty little towns, and my mom was always taking food to the neighbors or taking clothes to them," Rivera said. "We have very poor family members, and we've always been around a lot of poverty, and even now, my mom still takes everything we're getting rid of in our house and she'll distribute it to others."

That's the heritage Rivera grew up with, and a big reason why she made her senior project in high school a fundraiser for St. Jude's Research Hospital. It was also a way to honor her cousin, who tragically passed away from leukemia.
The feeling she got knowing that she was helping others is one that created the drive to continue to serve.
Her Hispanic heritage has helped shape that passion in everything she does. Her family's commitment to charitability, and their resiliency, inspired Rivera to continue that legacy through both the Arizona Coyotes and their Foundation.
"I did it for students. I did it for cancer patients. I did it for little kids," Rivera said. "I have a really powerful platform to do what I have always done, but I now get to do it bigger and more broadly."
When asked what her heritage means to her, there was no hesitation in Rivera's response.
"Strength and resilience, and overcoming your fears," she said. "You see the news, you see busloads of people coming across the border, and it resonates. I'm an immigrant. You have to be strong and resilient to be that person who comes from a whole different world to try to get a piece of the American dream."
"You can be aware of all of the challenges, and try to work through the challenges, but at the end of the day, they can't hold you back."