•Santiago Rodriguez Impact Award•

Education:
-MS in Security Management, Webster University
-MBA in Human Resources, College of Santa Fe
-BBA in Human Resource Management, University of New Mexico

For more than three decades, Roberta Rivera has been a driving force for inclusion and community at Sandia National Laboratories and across New Mexico. As Chair of the Hispanic Outreach for Leadership and Awareness (HOLA) Employee Resource Group, Rivera has led with both strategic vision and heart, fostering a welcoming culture while cultivating opportunities for both employees and underserved communities.

Rivera’s leadership has helped make HOLA one of Sandia’s most engaged employee resource groups, now with nearly 850 members spanning all staff levels—from interns to executives. Under her guidance, monthly meetings average more than 100 attendees and feature technical presentations, community partnerships, and mentoring opportunities. These gatherings not only connect employees but also cultivate professional growth and cultural awareness across the Labs.

Her impact is most visible through Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, which bring together hundreds of employees and community partners for cultural showcases, storytelling events, and panels highlighting perseverance and innovation. She has also advanced HOLA’s flagship community outreach programs — the Manos program featuring hands-on science and engineering, and Noche de Ciencias which introduce STEM concepts to thousands of New Mexico students each year. Due in no small part to her leadership, HOLA will be receiving the Employee Resource Group of the Year Award from the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) later this fall. 

Rivera has also been instrumental in embedding inclusion into Sandia’s corporate culture. During her time on the Organizational Culture team, she shaped Labs-level strategies that aligned Sandia’s aspirational values of service, innovation, and belonging. Today, she continues to influence Sandia’s diversity agenda as both a thought leader and role model.

What sets Rivera apart is her philosophy of connection. She views success as leaving people better than she found them, whether by mentoring junior staff, welcoming a new employee, or amplifying others’ achievements. Her Community Engagement Speaker Series brought together Sandia and Albuquerque leaders to address issues such as education, crime, and human trafficking, sparking volunteer efforts and measurable community impact.

As a Community Relations Specialist, Rivera has overseen philanthropic initiatives that raised approximately $4.4 million annually for nonprofits through Sandia’s United Way Campaign. She managed the $1.4 million Corporate Contributions Program, Kids Day at the Lab, and the Holiday Gift Drive supporting children in foster care. Following the devastating 2022 wildfires in northern New Mexico, she organized relief fundraising to support affected families.

Her work with the Hispano Philanthropic Society (HPS) further deepens her community impact. Serving as Vice-Chair of the Council, Rivera strengthens partnerships that provide school supplies, mentorship, and family support services, ensuring that Sandia’s resources reach those who need them most.

Rivera’s 32-year career at Sandia began serendipitously. Aiming for a technical internship, she discovered her passion instead in student programs and human resources. Since then, she has guided generations of Sandians through recruiting, mentoring, and cultural advocacy. “I bleed Sandia blue,” she reflects, emphasizing her enduring commitment to making the Labs a place where people feel valued and connected.