Victor Arias: Victor Arias Jr. wants to change the face of American business. As a partner with executive recruitment firm Heidrick and Struggles and a member of the NAA, Arias is committed to placing a greater number of Latino professionals into top executive positions

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, Feb-March, 2006

Victor hopes to work with the NAA to address other Latino concerns, such as education. Just as his parents touted education, Victor--who serves on the Stanford University Board of Trustees and in the past served on the Stanford Alumni Association Board of Directors, Stanford Business School Alumni Association, Stanford GSB Advisory Council, University of Dallas board of Advisors, North Hills School Board of Trustees ULC Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago--believes that other Latinos must do so as well.

"I know there are lots of people doing work in this area, but it's clear in my mind that the future of the Latino community is to ensure that our kids graduate from high school. I think the educational platform is one that we really have to think about. We don't want to recreate the wheel; lots of people are already doing the work. But we have to think about how we can impact that going forward."

Arias believes that the NAA has the power to accomplish all those goals and more. Since becoming acquainted with the NAA as a resource not long after its inception and joining it two years ago, he has seen firsthand the impact that the organization has had on the Latino population. The NAA has been a key factor in elevating the Latino lifestyle.

"[NAA's] direct impact can be monetary; we've already given numerous scholarships to students and increased the number of Latinos in business programs and more allocations for pension funds," he said.

The NAA has also been a force in bringing Latinos into high profile professional positions. "We've had a direct influence on the way we have other corporations thinking of Latinos as potential for boards and raising the profile of Latinos," he said. "We can certainly influence the way that people in positions of influence think about the Latino population. Not only do we have the ability to operate in those circles, but we have a responsibility to the Latino community to be sure we maximize whatever benefit we can drive out of those relationships for the betterment of the Latino community."

Having a hand in elevating Latinos through his work with NAA has been a pleasure for Arias. "It gives me tremendous pride to be affiliated with the kind of people who am members [of the NAA]," he says. "I feel really good about my involvement and think we can make lots of changes as a whole. These are the kinds of people who are used to dealing with thinking strategies on how to best get things done."