Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight Series: Isabella Barsalona

As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we’ve asked our colleagues to reflect on the significance of this month.

Cleary Gottlieb risk analyst Isabella Barsalona shares some of her thoughts below.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Cleary.

I am currently a risk analyst for the conflicts team at Cleary. I’ve been at Cleary for almost two years after graduating from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, in Bologna, Italy. After earning a master’s degree in global risk, I was looking for a role where I could apply the skills, concepts, and analytical techniques I learned to tackle any type of risk analysis. I apply these skills almost every day in my current role.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating and recognizing the sacrifices and obstacles not only my grandparents and mother faced to achieve their dreams, but also how Latinx and Hispanics still do the same every day. Hispanic Heritage Month also brings awareness to the diverse culture, history, and contributions of all Hispanic and Latino communities. By doing so, it allows to foster a deeper appreciation and promote unity not only within the Hispanic and Latino communities, but with others who are outside of the community as well.

Hispanic Heritage Month brings awareness to Hispanic and Latino authors, artists, politicians, activists, leaders, and everyday heroes who have shaped history and inspire many other people to do the same. This is important because it allows for Hispanic and Latino history to not be forgotten and to understand how many of these people’s achievements are still felt in every community today.

Has your identity impacted how you approach your work and career? If so, how?

My identity has shaped my values, perspective, and relationships, often giving influence on how I approach my work and career. My identity has allowed me to better understand others, as I understand how my own identity can influence and impact how I present myself to others in everyday life. By better understanding others, I am also able to approach work in multiple perspectives, often leading to better creativity. I have also gained confidence and resilience when I approach challenges, as through my identity I have learned that sometimes I need to work harder or differently to achieve the same goals as others.

Are there any leaders, activists, writers/artists, professionals, or family members who have inspired you?

My mother is the person who inspires me the most in my life. As a child coming from two Salvadorean immigrants, my mother’s first language was Spanish, while learning English in school. She graduated college early with an engineering degree first. Being ambitious as ever, she decided to go to law school at night while raising me and working a full-time job, ultimately becoming a litigation lawyer. All of this was not easy for her. During this time, she faced many obstacles and challenges to achieve her dreams and be the amazing lawyer she is today. My mother taught me nothing is impossible with hard work and no dream is out of reach. For me, she is my hero every day.

When you’re underrepresented in your chosen field, why is it important to have mentors and sponsors who are invested in you and your career?

It’s important to have mentors and sponsors who are invested in you and your career as they can open many doors and make a significant difference in your life. They have the ability to guide you in the right direction, providing multiple networking and other various opportunities for your career. Mentors and sponsors are also able to advocate for you, often giving you the opportunity to believe that any dream is within arm’s reach. By doing so, this often instills confidence within yourself and understanding how to stay resilient in the face of any challenge.

What are the benefits of joining groups that focus on Latinx topics and issues?

By doing so, these groups can foster a sense of community and support. Focusing on Latinx topics and issues helps people understand that they are not alone in their interests, challenges, or dreams. It also connects people from different background and career fields, highlighting people who are great role models or have great achievements within the community. These groups also help members become advocates for issues that are sometime unique to the Hispanic and Latino community. These can help people advocate for social issues within the community, giving them a platform for their voice to be heard.

What is your favorite thing about working in the legal industry, and why did you choose to work at Cleary?

By working in the legal industry, I am able to see the change law has on individuals and community. The legal industry allows a platform for those who wish to instill change, advocate for others, and influence policy that will be able to be seen in the future. At Cleary, I can see this type of work every day.

I chose to work at Cleary because of the great team I am part of. Within my team, there is a great sense of community that I have not felt in any other workplace. My team is always there for each other, whether it is inside or outside of work. The conflicts team makes the workday easier as we work together to ensure all work is done, but also making time for great conversations and comradery.