Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we're recognizing MassCPAs members who are helping us grow and diversify the accounting pipeline.

2025

Who is a Hispanic or Latinx role model who inspires you, and why?

A role model who has always inspired me is my father, Hector Guerrero. He came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in the late ’80s without speaking English, yet he pursued education, graduated high school, attended trade school and built a successful auto business. Despite challenges, he never made excuses and always pushed forward. His determination, integrity and strong work ethic shaped my values, and I strive to live by the same principles every day.

How do you see your background helping to shape the future of the profession?

My background has shaped how I approach accounting advisory, especially regarding integrity. Watching my father, an immigrant who built a business from the ground up, taught me that doing things the right way, even when harder, is always worth it. In advisory work, where ethical challenges arise, I apply this mindset to build trust and provide sound guidance. Staying grounded in values like integrity will be key to driving meaningful change in the profession.

Why is representation in the accounting profession important to you?

Representation matters because I can now mentor Hispanics aspiring to enter the field—a support I lacked growing up. It’s about more than sharing technical knowledge; it’s showing others they belong in accounting. Through mentorship and presence, I hope to inspire the next generation of diverse professionals to pursue accounting with confidence.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of pride and reflection—honoring the struggles of past generations and the ongoing fight for representation.

Why is representation in the accounting profession important to you?

Representation matters because it gives young Hispanics role models in business, strengthens communities and brings diverse perspectives to the profession.

How do you stay connected to your culture while navigating your career or education?

I stay connected through family dinners, supporting local Hispanic businesses, listening to music and sharing stories with my elders.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate our culture, honor our history and recognize the sacrifices that created today’s opportunities.

Why is representation in the accounting profession important to you?

Representation shows that success is possible for everyone and inspires me to help open doors for others.

How do you stay connected to your culture while navigating your career or education?

I stay connected through family traditions, speaking Spanish at home and living our values of hard work, resilience and community.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means being recognized for something some people may feel ashamed of. It means having my culture and traditions seen as important to our society and being able to proudly say that I am Hispanic. While every culture has both positive and negative stereotypes, being able to have the negatives overlooked and our culture appreciated for the good it brings makes me feel incredible to be part of this community.

Why is representation in the accounting profession important to you?

What inspired me to pursue accounting was my family—especially my mother and older sister. I grew up in the accounting environment, watching my mother pursue a master’s in accounting as a single mother and later seeing my sister complete hers. Experiencing the hard work, rewards and opportunities in this profession showed me it was something I wanted to pursue. I believe it’s important to work in a field you love—not just for the benefits, but for the passion and drive to succeed every day.

How do you stay connected to your culture while navigating your career or education?

I see my background helping shape the future of the profession by bringing unique insights, ideas and talent to the table. Being bilingual opens doors for communication and potential clients, making them feel included without needing translators. Most importantly, my background shows other Hispanic individuals that they can pursue any career—accounting included—regardless of their circumstances. I feel proud to be living proof of this.

If you could describe your culture in three words, what would they be and why?

Resourceful, dedicated and authentic. Resourcefulness reflects how Latin Americans adapt and find creative solutions to support family and navigate challenges. Dedication emphasizes hard work, perseverance and commitment as core cultural values. Authenticity celebrates being genuine, staying true to one’s roots and building relationships based on trust.

How has your Hispanic/Latinx heritage influenced your personal or professional journey?

I embrace my culture by showing up as my authentic self—leading Hispanic/Latinx ERGs, sharing traditional foods and hosting educational sessions that foster understanding and allyship. My heritage guides how I build connections, lead with empathy and create inclusive spaces.

What traditions or values from your culture do you bring into your work life?

My culture informs the values I bring to work every day: emotional intelligence, empathy and collaboration. These principles help me build strong relationships, navigate challenges thoughtfully and create environments where everyone feels heard and supported.

2024

2023