Salesforce Mentorship Program Pairs Minority-Owned Businesses with Growth Resources

Editor’s Note: This article originally published when the program’s first cohort went live in November 2021. It was updated in 2024 to share the news of our latest cohort.

Salesforce recently kicked off the third year of a mentorship program that will provide 10 Hispanic and Latinx-owned business founders with sponsorship, education, and networking opportunities to help grow and develop their businesses.

Why it’s important: Equality is a long-standing value at Salesforce. 

• In 2020, the company established the Racial Equality and Justice Task Force to accelerate its efforts and focus more deeply on areas it felt could have a real impact.
• One of those areas was investing in minority-owned businesses.

Driving the news: After completing two cohorts of Black-owned businesses, the Business Amplify Mentorship Program has launched a third cohort with Hispanic and Latinx-owned businesses. The new, year-long mentorship program will pair each business owner with a Salesforce mentor and VP-level sponsor/advocate who aligns with their development goals. 

• Over the next year, business owners in the cohort will attend quarterly sessions taught by university professors on topics like business strategy pivots, marketing in turbulent times, and talent optimization.
• Business owners will also have an opportunity to learn from some of Salesforce’s largest customers, partners, and suppliers during monthly meet-and-greet sessions.

The new participants in the latest cohort include: 

• Artizen, Inc.
  • Rosanna Hayden, CEO 
• Greentek Solutions 
  • Anuar Garcia, CEO
• iTalent Digital
  • Renee LaLonde, Founder and CEO
• OSI Engineering
  • Javier Diaz, CEO
• Pinnacle Group 
  • Nina Vaca, CEO
• Sensis 
  • Jose Villa, President
• Social Driver
  • Thomas Sanchez, CEO & Co-Founder, and Anthony Shop, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder
• Spy Ego Media LLC
  • James Gusman, Managing Member
• Staffed Inc.
  • Martin Solorzano, Founder and CEO 
• Thought Process
  • Tristan Valencia, Founder, and Jaime Macias, Creative Director

The Salesforce perspective: “With the third class of our mentorship program for Hispanic and Latinx-owned businesses, we are continuing to drive inclusive business practices not only within Salesforce but across our communities,” said Madison Gunter, Vice President of Procurement, Salesforce. “Closing the wealth gap and advancing racial equality starts with creating more opportunities and mentorship for diverse-owned businesses.”

What they’re saying: Anuar Garcia, CEO of Greentek Solutions and a mentee in the Salesforce mentorship program, shared what he’s most eager to learn over the next 12 months:

• On building leadership: “I’m particularly looking forward to learning how to cultivate leadership within the team, implement structures that drive efficiency and growth, and establish performance management processes that ensure accountability and continuous improvement.”
• On scaling a business: “By learning best practices from successful organizations, I can implement strategies that will enhance our internal processes and drive greater efficiency and scalability… and provide better services to our clients while fostering a culture of growth.” 
• On making an environmental impact: “The vision was to fill a gap in the industry where sustainability and responsible e-waste management weren’t the norm, but a necessity. The goal was to drive change by focusing on refurbishing electronics, supporting the circular economy, and reducing the environmental burden caused by improper electronic disposal, all while building a business rooted in integrity and service.”

Explore further: Learn more about Salesforce’s Supplier Diversity Program here and commitment to Racial Justice and Equality here.

January 19, 2023

Salesforce recently kicked off the second year of a mentorship program that provides 25 Black-owned business founders with sponsorship, education, and networking opportunities to help grow and develop their businesses.

Why it’s important: Equality is a long-standing value at Salesforce. 

• In 2020, the company established the Racial Equality and Justice Task Force to accelerate its efforts and focus more deeply on areas it felt could have a real impact.
• One of those areas was investing in Black-owned businesses.

Driving the news: The year-long mentorship program pairs each mentee with a Salesforce mentor and VP-level sponsor/advocate who aligns with their development goals. 

• Over the next year, mentees will attend quarterly sessions taught by university professors on topics like business strategy pivots, marketing in turbulent times, and talent optimization.
• Mentees will also have an opportunity to learn from some of Salesforce’s largest customers, partners, and suppliers during monthly meet-and-greet sessions.

The Salesforce perspective: “I’m excited to be launching the second class of our mentorship program as we continue to work to drive inclusive business practices and empower businesses owned by people of color to help close the wealth gap and advance racial equality,” said Jennifer Browne, Chief Procurement Officer, Salesforce. “Since launching the Racial Equality and Justice Task Force, I’m proud that we have exceeded $100 million in spending with Black-owned businesses, meeting our 2023 goal early.” 

What they’re saying: Ronda Jackson, founder of Decor Interior Design, Inc. and a mentee in the Salesforce mentorship program, shared what she’s most eager to learn over the next 12 months:

• The current economy: “As a small business owner during the economic downturn, I was in survival mode. Everything was internally focused — on my employees and their families. Now, I need to realign and refocus. I appreciate that Salesforce thoughtfully paired me with a mentor and executive sponsor with expertise in the areas I want to work on.”
• On growth: “As a solo entrepreneur, I am the final decision maker, so accountability is important. It’s really nice to have a sounding board of corporate executives that do not have personal agendas, that can provide me with insights on corporate objectives, and hold me accountable to my strategic goals.”
• What’s next: “I recently launched an internship program called “In the Mix” for emancipated youth, veterans, and ex-prisoners to transition back into the workforce. My goal is to be part of the solution to help rebuild lives, and I am inspired by Salesforce’s DEI work and its impact. I see this as an opportunity to develop my social enterprise model. It’s not just about that next contract.”

Explore further: Learn more about Salesforce’s Supplier Diversity Program here and commitment to Racial Justice and Equality here.