Your story isn't defined by the chapters you never expected. It's defined by the courage to keep writing the next one. Growth begins the moment you believe your future is stronger than your past.

When my son was diagnosed with autism, I thought I was losing the career I had spent years building. Instead, I was being invited to imagine a new one. That season led me to create Literapy and eventually write Bibliotherapy in the Bronx. Reinvention wasn't about starting over it was about discovering the work I was always meant to do.

After losing my husband, I had to rebuild a life I never expected to live. I am still rediscovering who I am, but I have learned that strength can look like getting up each day, trusting God, and choosing to keep moving forward.

When life changed unexpectedly, I chose reinvention over resignation. I rebuilt my path by channeling my creativity, resilience, and decades of industry experience into developing innovative solutions, proving that new beginnings can lead to your greatest purpose.

Reinvention. How does one do that after 30+ years with the same organization suddenly to be out?? What's next? My tried and true motto has always been "We will figure it out"! And I did, after multiple attempts at what's next, I have found my home with a new progressive and truly people first organization starting a second career. Never lose hope that there is a better option out there for good, genuine, talented and caring individuals. And never forget you are one of those! You will always figure it out!!

Life rarely unfolds in a straight line. My journey led me to Bank of Utah, where I discovered that CRA work is about much more than compliance, it's about creating opportunities and strengthening communities. Through community service, nonprofit partnerships, financial literacy initiatives, and community development efforts, I've seen firsthand how collaboration can make a lasting impact on people's lives. I've learned that purpose is often found where your values, passion, and profession intersect. For me, that intersection is serving communities through my role as a CRA Officer at Bank of Utah. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help build stronger communities and create pathways to opportunity for future generations.

The hardest seasons taught me and continue to teach me that my identity isn't defined by what happens to me, but by how I choose to rise afterward. Reinvention has become my greatest act of self-trust and self-love.

As an immigrant whose first language was not English, I had to build a name for myself. I did this by maintaining a positive outlook and believing that, despite obstacles related to finances, gender, and location, I am capable of achieving anything I set my mind to. I was the first in my family to earn a higher education degree and the first to travel for work and explore our country. At times, I am the only Latina in the room, but I know I am prepared and consistently go above and beyond to meet my goals and deliver my best. For me, the sky is the limit, and I firmly believe that where there is a will, there is a way.

The last few years haven't changed who I am. They've simply revealed who I was all along. Loss has a way of stripping away everything that isn't real, and what's left is someone who loves deeply, stands firmly in her values, and refuses to let heartbreak harden her heart. I'm still becoming, but every step forward is rooted in the same soul that's carried me through every goodbye.