Life & Work with Penny Rivera-Roche

Today we’d like to introduce you to Penny Rivera-Roche.

Hi Penny, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a neighborhood designed for immigrants to purchase homes in San Francisco, CA. It was a time when the city was still segregated in the 50″s. My peers were mostly made up of 1st generation kids. We started out as a regular childhood neighborhood, playing outside until the streetlights came on. Eating at each other’s homes based on who had the best food. When I was in high school the neighborhood became a complicated when industry moved in. our once peaceful neighborhood became dark and dangerous. I was fortunate to have brothers and sisters older than me, to protect me especially when my chronically ill mother could not.

I reinvented myself several times. I went from Bank Teller to Hotel Front Desk Supervisor, Executive Recruiter, Director of Operations, Director of HRIS, Director of Training and Development to Behavioral Analyst. I had to reinvent myself in a world that discriminated against women and my ethnicity, A world that was unforgiving and could be cold. There were many people in my life that encouraged me to excel. Employers, friends and acquaintances who saw potential and willing to take a risk. I was always the youngest in my endeavors. At one point I became the youngest Asian American Assistant Store Manager in a very large Retail Federated flagship store. I learned there was nothing I couldn’t do if I wanted it badly enough. Work through the problems instead of ignoring them Passive behavior gets you nowhere, speaking up with well thoughts out solutions works wonders.

Now retired, I am rebranding myself again. I have published and illustrated a children’s book, working on a second, published several articles, chronicles of my childhood and have taken up painting. I plan to join CASA, California Court Appointed Special Advocate Association that ensures that children and youth in the foster care system have a voice and the services they need for a stable future, in the near future.

I love the role modeling I have given my children and grandchildren, there is no greater role that I have had as being a grandparent, always a difficult thing to do when my children were young. Daycare was expensive and I always had the guilt of being a working Mom. I believe I did a good job of balancing but even today I wish I could have done more.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Thankfully there were men and women in my life who saw potential in me and encouraged me to do better my circumstances both personally and professional. As a young Asian American and woman, it was difficult to excel.

Family, friends and associates who dealt with my failures and successes, fears and tears, supported my efforts. With the help of these people, I was able to exceed in a world that was not hiring and believing that a woman could do the job.

I grew up in an underprivileged neighborhood and went to private schools on scholarships. Grateful to the schools that offered the assistance.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have had many positions throughout the years as an HR professional.

In my last position, I was a behavioral analyst. This position was both challenging and rewarding. Listening to candidates’ stories and determining if they were a good fit for the position held a great deal of responsibility, one that I took seriously and with confidence.

I am most proud of my ability to learn and challenge myself to do better.

I am most known for my mentorship. I still have contact with many people that say I changed their trajectory in their careers. For that, I am grateful.

With my experience, I have been able to excel in the work world. What sets me apart from others is the determination to help others and learn something from them as well. I find so many that are just out for themselves and not caring how they got there. I had run up against these people and had to change how I did business, I found that if I was upfront about what was happening, not ignore, but face head-on I could address the issue with confidence and gain respect. Of course, this came with a lot of challenges and was no means a walk in the park. Sometimes I was weary and defeated but with support from family, friends and associates, I was able to overcome.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I find open communication and face to face meetings are a must.

I find groups, blogs, communicating with family and friends and reading help fortify me. Conversation about what is happening now and in the past, to be a learning experience. Collaboration in all things, both personally and professionally are most important.

Supporting groups that assist women to excel is a great way to payback. Dress for Success, an organization that helps women to become there best and find jobs is an excellent way to contribute.

CASA, California Cour Appointed Special Advocate association ensures that children and youth in foster care system have a voice and the services they need for a stable future.

Support the Arts, being creative, everyone can contribute gives a person a more well-rounded personality both personally and professionally.

Support each other, being a cheerleader for your friends and associates can make all the difference in someone’s life. You may not realize it but a kind word can go a long way.