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For nearly two decades, CHG has cultivated a people-focused culture that believes our differences make us stronger, and we know that our people and their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are what make us successful. CHG is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we feel that supporting our employees and employee inclusion groups (EIGs) helps to foster engagement and a greater sense of belonging and connection. One of our largest EIGs is called Mixed Roots.
What is Mixed Roots?
Founded in 2022, Mixed Roots celebrates the rich cultural heritage of CHG’s diverse Latin workforce. The name Mixed Roots was chosen to reflect the varied and unique backgrounds of its members, acknowledging that they may not always fit conventional stereotypes.
“We have such a huge diversity in our culture and so many different backgrounds,” says Ray Meza, a senior leader within CHG’s advanced practice team and the president of Mixed Roots. “We have people from Brazil or different parts of Latin America and some who are Afro-Latinos. We don’t necessarily look like what people think we should look like.”
The group prides itself on embracing the diverse roots and experiences of its members, including those who may not fit traditional expectations. Regardless of what language you speak or your physical appearance, Mixed Roots is a welcoming space for its members.
“We see it as ‘differences make you stronger,’” Ray shares. “When in doubt, you belong.”
In addition to creating a place of belonging for employees of all Latinx backgrounds, the group also believes in advocating for the community and creating an environment where voices are heard.
With nearly 500 team members at CHG identifying as Hispanic/Latinx, Mixed Roots is starting to gain traction within the company. However, Ray is hoping to get even more engagement and participation with the group moving forward.
“Right now, we only have around 15% participating on a monthly basis,” he says. “We’re focusing on getting more engagement over the coming year.”
Creating connections and building bridges in the Latinx community
Mixed Roots hosts a variety of activities for its members aimed at fostering connection, personal/career development, and community impact. These activities stem from personal stories and experiences shared by group leaders and members, creating a collaborative and meaningful atmosphere.
Over the past year, the group has organized both in-person and virtual events that provide educational opportunities and celebrate cultural heritage.
“We hosted some in-person events at our Fort Lauderdale and Midvale locations where we had food, music, and all the different things that are really amazing about our culture,” Ray shares. “We’ve also hosted virtual events. One of them we just did was a Beeyonder, where we invited someone from Costa Rica to present to us from an indigenous area. We met with an indigenous tribe, and they shared everything about their culture. We were able to ask questions, which is awesome. And they also made chocolate from scratch — like they literally started with the cocoa bean so we got to see the whole process.”
The group is also partnering with two non-profit organizations — Community Building Community in Midvale, Utah; and Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida — to connect the group more to the community.
Making connections and celebrating diversity at CHG
As Mixed Roots moves forward, Ray envisions deeper collaboration with CHG’s different divisions and leadership levels. By partnering with divisional leaders, the group hopes to engage even more participants and elevate the impact of the inclusion group. With employee engagement and diversity as its driving forces, Mixed Roots is dedicated to creating a legacy that contributes to a more inclusive workplace for all.
Over the last few years, diversity and inclusion have become recognized as key drivers of business success. Companies that embrace and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of their people often experience better innovation, improved problem-solving, and a more inclusive environment where people want to work.
At CHG, we understand the importance of fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. Employee inclusion groups like Mixed Roots remind us that diversity isn’t a passing phase — it's a guiding principle that leads to success, growth, and a brighter future for all.
Do you want to work for a company that values and supports diversity? View our open jobs.
