PODER

PODER

PODER is the General Counsel talent pipeline initiative of the Hispanic National Bar Association and HNBA VIA Fund. Launched in March 2018, PODER is the first initiative that specifically cultivates and positions HNBA members for prominent General Counsel roles by increasing their gravitas, leadership competencies and overall readiness and helping them tackle the unique challenges they may face, such as implicit bias and lack of sustained exposure to traditional career-building networks. 

PODER mission is to increase the number of HNBA members occupying senior positions within corporate legal departments by developing a pipeline of legal talent and assisting with their collective advancement.  Our initial goal was to increase the number of HNBA members in General Counsel roles in Fortune 500 companies to a minimum of 20 by the year 2025.  As we approach this goal in 2025 and announce the new goals of PODER, we will advance and help promote our senior in-house HNBA members to GC roles in Fortune 500 and 1000 companies. 

PODER aims to fulfill its mission by: (1) promoting HNBA members to key selection decision-makers through disciplined talent management practices; (2) developing HNBA members by increasing awareness of selection processes and honing to skills critical selection by hiring managers; (3) coaching HNBA members to strengthen their individual potential and performance focusing on developing core competencies associated with selection criteria; and (4) expanding and managing a robust network of key decision-makers in selection processes.  

PODER offers best-in-class programming and targeted coaching, facilitates leadership development, encourages cross-member connections through like-minded cohorts, creates career challenges and accountability, makes relevant introductions and fosters opportunities for key relationships with individuals who can serve as mentors, sponsors, and connectors to contacts in a robust General Counsel or GC-ready network. 

PODER actively partners with leading and diversity-focused firms who regularly search for top General Counsel roles, including Major Lindsey & Africa, Barker Gilmore, Russell Reynolds, Heidrick & Struggles, Hedley May, Korn Ferry, Gravitas Search Partners, and Spencer Stuart, and serves as a resource for companies seeking HNBA members for these roles.

Membership in PODER is limited in number, and members are expected to collaborate with their fellow participants, lead or facilitate events and serve as mentors to grow the talent pipeline of HNBA members (including those who may be a good fit for the program in the future). PODER is designed as a multi-year endeavor, and participants who have exhibited the commitment and share the goals of the program may be invited to continue in the following year(s).  Upon graduation from our GC-ready program, members are invited to join our exclusive PODER network known as Circulo.

PROGRAMMING AND COACHING To increase participants’ gravitas, board-facing and team leadership, competencies, and overall readiness for top GC and senior executive roles.	BUILDING LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS Through recruiter introductions, speakers, and high-level mentorship and sponsorship.