2024 LIF Scholarship Recipients
"Be the change you want to see in the world" – Gandhi
Penelope Tejada is a junior at Providence College, double majoring in Finance and Management. As a first-generation Dominican-American student, she is passionate about advocating for underrepresented communities and helping others build generational wealth. Penelope has interned at the White House, FactSet, and will be joining Apple as a Finance Development Program intern next summer. She is an active mentor to fellow first-gen students, a Resident Assistant, and a Bellewether Enterprise Real Estate Scholar. Penelope is committed to making an impact in the finance industry, with a focus on empowering future Latinas in business.
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts" - Winston Churchill
Jasmin Ledesma is a junior at the University of Houston, majoring in finance. She is honored to have been selected as a scholarship recipient. As a first-generation student, she has worked diligently to overcome generational challenges and create new opportunities for herself and her community. Passionate about helping individuals and businesses achieve their financial goals, she is driven by the belief that "success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
"If you can dream it, you can do it." - Walt Disney
Daniela Barrera, from Houston, TX, is a second-year student at Bentley University majoring in accounting with aspirations of becoming a CPA. As a first-generation student, she is committed to breaking barriers and empowering underrepresented communities through financial literacy. She is grateful to Latinos in Finance for believing in her and investing in her future.
"If they do not give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair!" - Shirley Chisholm
Nathan is a junior at UC Berkeley, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in City and Regional Planning. Originally from Long Beach, California, and the son of immigrant parents, he brings a unique perspective to his academic and professional pursuits. Passionate about real estate, he serves as the Director of Analyst Development at the Berkeley Undergraduate Real Estate Club and is involved with the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics. His goal is to leverage his skills to drive impactful real estate investments and development opportunities, ultimately making a positive impact on communities through sustainable and thoughtful real estate development.
"You only lose when you Give Up."
Francisco Gomez is a sophomore and first-generation college student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing a bachelor's degree in finance. As an immigrant, he is deeply involved in various organizations and clubs both on and off campus, including his school's ALPFA chapter, the Mexican Student Association, a business fraternity, and the college's Equity Research Association. Francisco aspires to break into high finance and advance to a position where he can leverage his platform to advocate for change and greater inclusivity for Latinos in the industry.
"Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” — Malcolm X
Yaquelin Ayala is a junior at California State University Fullerton, majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and Business Analytics. She is an active member of the Accounting Society, where she works to enhance her social and professional skills through networking and team-building events. Her dedication to academic excellence has earned her recognition on the Dean’s List for outstanding performance. In the future, she plans to pursue internships at accounting firms to gain practical experience and ultimately earn her CPA certification.
“You only fail when you stop trying.” - Thomas Edison
Francisco Chavez is a freshman at Loyola Marymount University studying finance. He is considering adding accounting or entrepreneurship to his degree. Currently, he works at the Lion’s Den, a fully student-run coffee shop on campus. In his free time, he enjoys running, skiing, and playing the guitar.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
Maria Peralta is a senior at the University of Florida, studying finance with minors in economics and Portuguese. Growing up in Costa Rica shaped her passion for global markets, and moving to the U.S. six years ago has challenged her to grow both personally and professionally throughout her college experience. She has gained hands-on experience through internships with Carnival Cruise Line and Wells Fargo and looks forward to applying her knowledge as she pursues a career in investments and commercial banking after graduation.
