Carita Hughes: Preserving a Family Legacy and Reforesting 100-Acre Mississippi Property
Carita Hughes: Leading with Heart
Carita Hughes embodies a heartfelt approach in all her endeavors. She advances innovation in patent law, fosters a sense of community, inspires youth through music, and upholds a cherished family tradition.
Henkel North America's Purpose
Our unifying purpose at Henkel North America is: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This pioneering spirit is fueled by the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and talents of our employees and partners. Together, they boldly address challenges, devise solutions, and explore new perspectives, contributing to products, services, and innovations that enhance daily life. We invite you to get acquainted with our pioneers in our "Pioneers for Good" series.
Meet Carita
Carita Hughes, a Patent Paralegal at Henkel, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability and innovation within the company. Alongside her team, Carita secures patents for new inventions and products created by Henkel’s Research & Development teams. She operates from the North American headquarters of Henkel Consumer Brands in Stamford, CT. Carita is a pioneer in patent law, community music, and creating an inclusive atmosphere. She believes in using one's passion for the betterment of future generations, which drives her leadership and advocacy for inclusion.
Fostering Belonging
“Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are essential in an organization like ours,” Carita states. As the Membership Chair of Henkel’s Black Alliance (HBA) ERG, she aims to build a welcoming community, mirroring the acceptance she felt upon joining the group. Her role involves expanding membership, celebrating cultural milestones, facilitating open conversations, and promoting understanding within Henkel. This year’s Juneteenth Festival was a highlight for Carita, who is dedicated to celebrating cultures and uplifting communities through her work at Henkel and her community service.
Juneteenth Celebration
Henkel’s Juneteenth Festival is an educational event with music, food, games, poetry, and vendors that celebrate and support Black culture. Open to all Henkel employees and neighboring communities, the event honors the history and significance of Juneteenth.
Carita Hughes, Patent Paralegal at Henkel
Bringing Joy Through Music
As a classical piano teacher, Carita sought ways to contribute to the local community and joined Intempo, a youth development organization that educates students from immigrant and underrepresented backgrounds in classical and intercultural music. Carita noticed the lack of piano teachers and eagerly joined the program.
“Intempo provides a safe space for children and their families who are new to the U.S. We use the joy of music to connect with their culture and embrace their new home,” she explains. Through Henkel’s Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative, Intempo received a grant, securing a new home and new instruments. Carita, who has been with Intempo for two years, currently teaches six classes and has seen the program grow by 30%, benefiting over 42 students.
Impact of Carita's Work
“In establishing our piano studio, Carita has helped many of our youth develop not only musical talents but also confidence, work ethic, and social skills. She has brought immense joy to our classrooms, and we are grateful for her contribution to the Intempo family,” says Douglas Laustsen, Interim Co-Executive Director.
Preserving a Family Legacy
Reflecting on her work at Henkel, her role with the ERG, and her community service, Carita feels a deep responsibility to improve the world, a sentiment shared by her family. Her grandfather, during a time when Black Americans were often denied fundamental rights such as freedom, voting, and land ownership, managed to buy and sell property, leaving a legacy of hope for future generations. Today, Carita proudly owns a 100-acre property in Mississippi, which has been passed down through her family. This year, she is orchestrating the planting of 33,000 trees to reforest the land, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Carita draws inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”
This philosophy fuels her commitment to being a pioneer at heart for the good of generations.
Carita Hughes embodies a heartfelt approach in all her endeavors. She advances innovation in patent law, fosters a sense of community, inspires youth through music, and upholds a cherished family tradition.
Henkel North America's Purpose
Our unifying purpose at Henkel North America is: Pioneers at heart for the good of generations. This pioneering spirit is fueled by the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and talents of our employees and partners. Together, they boldly address challenges, devise solutions, and explore new perspectives, contributing to products, services, and innovations that enhance daily life. We invite you to get acquainted with our pioneers in our "Pioneers for Good" series.
Meet Carita
Carita Hughes, a Patent Paralegal at Henkel, plays a crucial role in promoting sustainability and innovation within the company. Alongside her team, Carita secures patents for new inventions and products created by Henkel’s Research & Development teams. She operates from the North American headquarters of Henkel Consumer Brands in Stamford, CT. Carita is a pioneer in patent law, community music, and creating an inclusive atmosphere. She believes in using one's passion for the betterment of future generations, which drives her leadership and advocacy for inclusion.
Fostering Belonging
“Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are essential in an organization like ours,” Carita states. As the Membership Chair of Henkel’s Black Alliance (HBA) ERG, she aims to build a welcoming community, mirroring the acceptance she felt upon joining the group. Her role involves expanding membership, celebrating cultural milestones, facilitating open conversations, and promoting understanding within Henkel. This year’s Juneteenth Festival was a highlight for Carita, who is dedicated to celebrating cultures and uplifting communities through her work at Henkel and her community service.
Juneteenth Celebration
Henkel’s Juneteenth Festival is an educational event with music, food, games, poetry, and vendors that celebrate and support Black culture. Open to all Henkel employees and neighboring communities, the event honors the history and significance of Juneteenth.
Carita Hughes, Patent Paralegal at Henkel
Bringing Joy Through Music
As a classical piano teacher, Carita sought ways to contribute to the local community and joined Intempo, a youth development organization that educates students from immigrant and underrepresented backgrounds in classical and intercultural music. Carita noticed the lack of piano teachers and eagerly joined the program.
“Intempo provides a safe space for children and their families who are new to the U.S. We use the joy of music to connect with their culture and embrace their new home,” she explains. Through Henkel’s Make an Impact on Tomorrow (MIT) initiative, Intempo received a grant, securing a new home and new instruments. Carita, who has been with Intempo for two years, currently teaches six classes and has seen the program grow by 30%, benefiting over 42 students.
Impact of Carita's Work
“In establishing our piano studio, Carita has helped many of our youth develop not only musical talents but also confidence, work ethic, and social skills. She has brought immense joy to our classrooms, and we are grateful for her contribution to the Intempo family,” says Douglas Laustsen, Interim Co-Executive Director.
Preserving a Family Legacy
Reflecting on her work at Henkel, her role with the ERG, and her community service, Carita feels a deep responsibility to improve the world, a sentiment shared by her family. Her grandfather, during a time when Black Americans were often denied fundamental rights such as freedom, voting, and land ownership, managed to buy and sell property, leaving a legacy of hope for future generations. Today, Carita proudly owns a 100-acre property in Mississippi, which has been passed down through her family. This year, she is orchestrating the planting of 33,000 trees to reforest the land, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Carita draws inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded!”
This philosophy fuels her commitment to being a pioneer at heart for the good of generations.
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