As a new Toyota employee, Gustavo Ramirez wanted to connect with other Latino and Hispanic colleagues. The Toyota Organization for the Development of Latinos (TODOS) provided him with the perfect opportunity.

Ramirez joined TODOS within a month of starting at Toyota to learn about different Latino cultures, network with fellow employees, and make a positive impact on the community through volunteer activities organized by TODOS.

Since joining TODOS in 2019, Ramirez, now working as a corporate development and governance consultant for the Americas Oceania region at Toyota Financial Services (TFS), has participated in various activities and community-based initiatives. This includes mentoring middle and high school students from West Dallas.

“It has been amazing to see how the kids have matured and gained confidence over the past four years,” he says.

Many others join TODOS for similar reasons. For the past 20 years, the group has provided resources and support to Toyota’s Latino employees and allies, enabling them to support each other, the company, and the communities they serve.

This year’s theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is “Mobility for TODOS: Together Driving Prosperity, Power and Progress for Latinos at Toyota.” This theme reflects the BPG’s efforts and goals for the upcoming year.

TODOS’ chair, Chris Devlin, highlights the focus on Hispanic Heritage Month and the second annual TODOS symposium. The symposium, organized by the TODOS North American Advisory Council (NAAC), brings together TODOS chapters from across North America to discuss important topics.

Driving Community Efforts
In addition to discussing and addressing important issues within the Latino community, TODOS hosts community-based events to serve and assist local residents. For example, TODOS members organize lake cleanups near L.G. Pinkston High School and the West Dallas STEM School, both supported by Toyota.

“We mentor students from these schools through our E3 Mentorship Program,” says Devlin. “Cleaning up the area where some of the kids we mentor live is very meaningful.”

Buckle Up for Life, a national car seat safety program, partners with Toyota and Children’s Health to provide child passenger safety education, free car seats, and installation assistance to families in need across Dallas. TODOS supports their efforts to ensure every child has the appropriate car seat for their age, height, and weight.

Steering Career Advancement
TODOS not only encourages its members to give back through community service and volunteering but also supports and promotes the careers of Latino employees at Toyota.

Devlin explains their advocacy for more Latinos in leadership positions and increased leadership training for current members. TODOS also focuses on providing career development tools and improving content and events related to professional development. The organization celebrates the success of its members who have been promoted or assumed new roles within the past year.

Complementing Toyota Principles
Devlin emphasizes that TODOS supports Toyota’s overall goals regarding community support.

Devlin and Ramirez are proud TODOS members and are committed to supporting Toyota and the community.

“Everything we do revolves around making Toyota the best place to work, and we are proud to represent the company during community events,” says Devlin. “We reflect Toyota’s principles and approach everything with humility and the expectation of being the best at what we do.”