I wasn't born with a legacy to follow or a path that was carved out for me before I was even a thought in my parents' mind. I didn't have that promised success that so many of my friends seemed to have. That is why in the beginning, I was drawn to finance because of its range of career opportunities. I saw finance as an easy path to stability and financial independence. For most of my childhood, my family lived paycheck to paycheck. My mother was raising four kids essentially on her own. Even as a child, I could see the toll it took on her. She was constantly stressed about the bills and it made her irritable. Now, my mother is the best mother in the world, but she was just a kid herself when she had her first child, and that forced her to learn how to get by under any circumstance, including a job that overworks and underpays her. I originally chose finance as a practical decision working towards breaking a generational cycle and build a future that was defined by independence rather than survival. Fortunately for me, the more I learn about finance, the more my interest evolved. I want to work towards a future where financial tools aren’t just reserved for a privileged few but are accessible to communities that have been overlooked for too long. As a woman, entering this field is both personal and political. Finance is still a male-dominated field, especially in the positions of leadership and high-risk investment roles. That needs to change, and I’d love to be a part of that change. I’ve spent much of my life being underestimated and overlooked. I was the kind of child that got “compliments” about how mature I was for my age, and that didn’t need homework reminders, or bedtime stories. But in reality, I just didn’t want to add to my mother's never-ending stress. As the third-born child, there wasn’t much I could do to stand out in a way most children crave to. I lived in my older sisters’ shadows, as they are a bit older and they are incredibly intelligent. I have big shoes to fill, but I could not be more proud of my sisters and the lives they built for themselves. Now, my younger brother can do no wrong in the eyes of my mother, grandmother, and sisters. We are closest in age, but he naturally stood out being the only boy in the family. For a long time, I wanted that easy recognition that he got for doing the bare minimum, while I was pushed to the side. Over time, I stopped chasing that approval and started to chase purpose, I turned a longing for recognition, into motivation and a resilient mindset that won’t let me quit. Before I knew it, what started as a practical decision had grown into a passion. The more I learned, the more I realized that finance isn’t just about numbers, it’s about systems and strategies. Yes, finance is a male-dominated field, but that is exactly where I want to be. As a woman used to being underestimated and overlooked, I’ve learned how to persist when it would be easier just to blend in. I want to succeed in finance not just for myself, but for every young woman watching from afar and wondering if she belongs. I want to be the person who opens doors for others and I am ready to build and be a part of that future; the future of women in finance.