Striving for Excellence with Raquel Tamez

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are hot button topics that we often expect immediate responses to and successes in, but in this episode of Business Edge, special guest Raquel Tamez urges that time is the biggest factor in overcoming many roadblocks associated with these aspirations. Listen to her speak to how organizations and individuals can evolve to foster positive change. She also explores how we can all be our best selves by educating ourselves by consistently reading, prioritizing our most important values, and always striving for excellence.

Raquel Tamez is the Chief Inclusion and Engagement officer at Charles River Associates. As CIEO, Tamez plays an integral role in the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, launching initiatives and designing programs that empower CRA’s workforce and strengthen its culture, allowing the firm to better serve its clients and communities.

Prior to joining CRA, Tamez served as CEO for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. From 2014 to 2017, Tamez held the role of Chief Legal Officer at SourceAmerica, a nonprofit that creates employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

In 2017, she was appointed to the FTC’s Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. She also served as a board member for the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives.

In 2020, Raquel represented SHPE as part of the first Hispanic delegation to the World Economic Forum. That same year, she received the 2020 Ohtli Award from the Mexican government, in recognition of her efforts to empower Hispanics abroad.

External Links:

Raquel’s Facebook

Members at Chapter Congress holding signs that read 'aye' while voting on legislation.

5 Reasons to Attend Alpha Kappa Psi Convention This Summer

In August 2022, Alpha Kappa Psi brothers from all over the world will converge in Miami, FL, for the fraternity’s 61st Convention. Convention serves as the business meeting of AKPsi, where Chapter Congress convenes to influence positive change within the organization. 

The four-day-long fraternity event will be held from August 3-6 and will educate student and alumni members on fraternity knowledge, business knowledge, and professional development through the College of Leadership. 

Convention was traditionally held every other year on odd years, but the last Convention scheduled in 2021 was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Now with the move to 2022, it will be held on even years going forward.) 

It’s been a long break for us all, and there’s never been a better time to gather with your AKPsi brothers.

A young woman holding her resume speaking to two businessman at an interview.

7 Proven Tips For Nailing Your Next Job Interview

We recently shared some preparation tips to help you get ready in the days leading up to your next job interview. (If you haven’t read the full blog, check that one out here first.) In this article, we’ll focus on the big day. 

Walking into a conference room or coffee shop, or even logging into a Zoom room can be nerve-wracking when your potential dream job is on the line. The interview process is your time to shine and the last hurdle to clear before you cross the finish line — which is hopefully where your future employer will be waiting with an offer letter. 

Creating Meaningful Connections with Dan Harbeke

In an age of unlimited online connectivity, how can we sort through the noise to create meaningful connections? In this episode of Business Edge, Dan Harbeke explains that showing up and going the extra mile is something that can make you stand apart from the crowd. Listen to him speak to his current role with Google, and all of his experiences that led him to where he is now.

Dan serves as the Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager for Google in the midwest.

Active in the community, he has served on the Young Professionals Council board of directors through the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, is a past chairman of the Utah Foundation board of trustees and a past president of the board of directors for Keep Texas Beautiful, and has served on the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Utah and the Natural History Museum of Utah. Mr. Harbeke holds a degree in Marketing and Political Science from Creighton University, where he presently serves on the National Alumni Board, and is the proud dad of two beautiful girls, Elle and Emme.

Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.


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A Muslim woman is sitting at a desk shaking a man's hand after a job interview.

So, You Got the Job Interview? Here’s How to Prepare

Whether you’re looking for your first big job out of college or are considering a career change, it’s important to be prepared for what can sometimes be a grueling hiring process. 

The first step is attracting the attention of your ideal employers, which can be accomplished with a great résumé, some solid networking, and a little persistence. (Remember, not every company you apply to will call you in for an interview, so you’ll want to bring your A-game for those that do.)

Once you’ve done the legwork and secured an interview, you’ll want to be as prepared as possible to make a great impression. You’ll have at least one (usually multiple) interviews with each company interested in you.

The best way to confidently sell a potential employer on your value is with thorough preparation. The more prepared you are the more confident you’ll be. This can also help alleviate some of the anxiety that can come with the interview process.