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Michael Tristan. Associate Training Manager - Regulatory Operations. 

I'm first generation in the US, with both parents from Mexico. Identifying as Latinx has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am today. For me, a major part of this identity is learning from the experience of my parents. Despite facing the same challenges faced by many other immigrants (language barriers, discrimination, culture shock, etc.), I saw first hand how strong work ethic, discipline and perseverance empowered them to create success for themselves and our family.  This identity has meant so much outside of work as well. I have distinct and vibrant memories centered around treating others like family, even if we weren't related. I also remember overhearing parents, relatives and invited guests have conversations that started at the dinner table and turned into conversations that lasted all night, with seemingly endless bouts of laughter and deep connections being formed anywhere in between. This became my normal, and, even now,  I find myself having deeper conversations than my peers, and making very meaningful connections. I attribute all of it to this identity, and I wouldn't change a thing. It's the reason I continue to strive to better myself, whether that is in the work I do, or simply in terms of the person I can be to help those around me. It's also a big part of the reason I love connecting with and developing other people, and why superficial connections never seem to be enough for me. I'm most proud to come from a group of people that values taking care of others so highly. From something simple like hosting a party and ensuring everyone's having fun, to something more complex like helping others through their problems—I'm proud that I love to take care of others, and I attribute this to my identity. When I was younger and still living at home, I distinctly remember coming home one Saturday night after my shift at work (11PM), and as I approached the door, seeing the windows that surrounded our front door fogged up. Instinctively, I knew this meant that my mom was simmering Menudo overnight, so it would be ready for for Sunday Morning, and I became so excited. This latin dish is a personal favorite, but as I recall this particular experience, it’s more than the aroma and food that stands out. It may sound silly, but for me this memory has become symbolic of many things. In particular, the warmth and care my mom put into the things she did (she’s since passed on), and the discipline she had for making sure things were perfect, no matter how long it took. I'm so grateful for this memory, and happy to say my mom’s legacy lives on when I remember that night (and anytime I have Menudo on a Sunday).

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Diana Cabrera. Competitive Strategy Specialist.

Mexican-American, Californian, Chicana, Second Gen, Migrant Farmworker household, These identities reflect my roots and the foundation that built me. It also means I am connected to a broader community that I get to learn from and make an impact in. These identities have given me the gift of learning both Spanish and English, a diverse set of friends, and a melting pot of experiences. I am extremely proud of the "not give up" attitude, family/community oriented, and my humble upbringings. This has made me into an advocate for the community, a fighter for progress, and lover of Latin dance/food.  Loss of identity was something that affected me for many years.I felt like I didn't belong to any of my identities and was holding back from embracing who I truly am. Things that I loved about my Mexican roots, others around me didn't understand and things I loved from American culture, my family was disconnected from. I then learned that there are no rules to what we embrace from our identities and decided to create my own.

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Fernando Augusto López Plascencia. Software Engineer - Front End.

I am Latino, Hispanic, and my mother tongue is Spanish. It's an inalienable part of me. I don't fit many Latinx stereotypes and try my best to learn and absorb from my current, multicultural environment. But first and foremost, I will always be a Latino. I never thought of being Latino as something remarkable while living in Mexico. Since coming to the US, I've learned that identities like this become a point of pride. I particularly enjoy speaking and promoting the usage of Spanish as a "valid" language in the tech environment. A good command of Spanish is something that I proudly owe to the education that my parents instilled within my formation, and here in the US I choose to use it both as a cultural symbol, a way to establish human links and create community, and as a tool for the empowerment of those around me. I was never a popular guy at school. I was "the nerd" and while having lots of friends, my love life was in a sad state. That is, until I decided to write a post in a website to make Japanese friends... in Spanish. The person that responded ended up coming to LA where we met. That was 10 years ago, and we have been happily together since then.

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Annelise Hagar Preciado. Regulatory Operations Specialist.

I'm Mexican-American (+white). Bi-Cultural. A hybrid Native, Non-Native Spanish Speaker (ask me about it). Being Mexican-American means that I come from two different worlds, that I represent other Mexicans & Mexican-Americans as I come into any success, that I have a responsibility to bring people together. It's challenged me to defy stereotypes and to be my own person. It sometimes has made me feel uncertain about where I fit in but it's also made me feel that I can make more of an impact because I easily adapt to most situations. I'm most proud of being descended from a country that has such a rich culture & heritage, I'm proud of the people who came before me and of those who have yet to come, I'm proud that even when faced with adversity the Mexican people continue to tirelessly, move up in the world (especially the immigrant community in the US).

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Edgar Mercado. Community Associate - SFO. 

I am Mexican-American, or American-Mexican. I am a mixture. I grew up in Mexico until I was 6 and then moved to San Diego—which is basically Mexico. I have never identified with the word chicano but the term is getting popular these days. I realized that I was different when I joined the airforce, there are not that many Hispanics out there. With age I appreciate more and more the values and heritage that comes with it being what I am.

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Alex De Jesús. Community Associate - SFO.

I'm a proud queer, Latinx. I'm proud of the Latinx community because we are so brave by living in a different country, learning another language, and making it despite all the struggles. The key for feeling at home is meeting other Latinx.

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Christopher Martin. Community Associate - SFO & OAK.

Mexican communities are like families, that's something we lack in the US. As a Community Associate at the Lyft Hub, I'm amazed to see how Latinos are willing to help me, even if I don't understand them because I don't speak the language.

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Antonio Luna Gonzalez, SWE - Referrals. 

I am from Guadalajara, Mexico. I've only been in the US for 6 months. I consider myself a Mexican and Latino. Before coming to the US I could only identify as Mexican because that's what we all are down there. But coming here and seeing so many different identities has made me notice how different I am from the rest. Speaking Spanish in the US is like being part of a secret society. You never know who speaks it, and when you meet someone that does, you instantly connect and will help each other.

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Josue Leal. IT support.

I come from Guatemala, the Spring country, where everything is green and flowery. I've been in the US for 7 years. I see myself as Hispanic, a Latino, but don't really identify with a specific race. I love seeing the cultural differences between countries.

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Zak Haitkin. Local CI Senior Strategist.

I was born in LA, where I lived my whole life. I started speaking Spanish in high school, loved it, and ended up getting my Bachelor's Degree in Spanish Language. I once served as interpreter for an elementary school helping parents that couldn't express themselves in English. It felt great being able to give back to the community through my knowledge of both languages.

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Ashley Lorden. Software Engineer.

I grew up in Washington state in a monocultural family, but learned Spanish and lived in Argentina for a long time. Putting myself in a minority situation taught me to understand that people approach problems in completely different ways. It taught me to appreciate people more.

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Andréa Long. Marketing Recruitment.

Being an ally has made me more aware of my actions, my words, my influence, and my ability to affect change. It has changed the lens through which I view the world. I do my best to incorporate representation of the Latino, Hispanic, and Spanish-speaking communities into all of the projects that I work on. Additionally, I work with the communities' leaders to ensure that the projects that I contribute to are not culturally insensitive. When people of this community are not in the room, I speak up to ensure their culture is represented.

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Michael Maldonado. A/V Technician.

I'm Guatemalan-American. My lifestyle growing up was a mixture of the US and things that we do back in the motherland. As a kid, I was ashamed of speaking Spanish. I was ashamed of my culture. Now, I'm proud of being the Hispanic-gringo guy. My parents came here and struggled with finances, learning a different language and a new culture. My goal is to get myself to the next level up and to build a foundation for the next generation. By working in tech and film, and by going to college, I'm doing the same thing my parents did for me, but for my son. I want to keep building that foundation for my family and for the community where I live in Oakland.

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Dax Bermudez. Finance - FP&A.

I'm a first generation US immigrant. I'm Nicaraguan. I'm mestizo. Learning English and going back to Nicaragua during summers made me very aware of our cultural differences. The Latin community in the US is really diverse but we share a common language, taste for gastronomy, culture and traditions. It's hard not to brag, but Latinos have some of the most interesting flavors of music, food, and culture. All of that comes from being at a crossroads in the world.

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Luis Flores. Business Associate.

I'm a Latino of Spanish descent. My parents are from Mexico. Being Latino made me more appreciative of my background, more humble and it made me strive for a better life. I am proud of my history and the heritage. It's who I am.

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Verónica Juárez. VP, Social Enterprise.

I'm from Houston, TX. I consider myself a proud Latinx, Mexican-American and Tejana. I love Selena, the singer, not Selena Gomez. Being Latina means being proud of where I come from and being involved with my community. It made me who I am today, how I spend my time, and even the career I chose. At Lyft, I'm lucky to work with nonprofit organizations—helping them solve their transportation challenges—which is reminiscent of the way my mom made me volunteer with nonprofits since I was a kid. 

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Chris Perry. Associate Program Manager.

I'm half Mexican, half Portuguese. I'm a latino that grew up in the Us. I'm white, my last name is Perry, but I am still as latino as anyone from Mexico. My family has a proud history of being Mexico. I love being from the Bay Area because of its diverse culture. When my family gets together for Thanksgiving I looked around and saw different faces and cultures that made me proud of my culture.