Leadership in Community with Vivian Huelgo and Carolina Ureña

At Esperanza United, we know no single organization or person is going to end gender-based violence alone – it will take communities, working together. That’s why Latina leadership and community-based solutions are two of our organizational values. 

To advance this strengths-based approach, Esperanza United President and CEO Vivian Huelgo, J.D. is interviewing leaders across the fields of gender-based violence prevention and Latin@ empowerment and beyond. Read on to learn leadership lessons, celebrate the people doing the work, and share in our gratitude for our vibrant community. 

In this edition, Vivian sits down with Carolina Ureña, a Latina executive director and leader in training, communications, and sales management within the financial sector.

Vivian Huelgo: One of our organizational values is Latina leadership. What does leadership mean to you?

Carolina Ureña:
Leadership means using my voice to open doors for others. As Latinas, our leadership is deeply rooted in empathy and community. We carry the strength of our ancestors and lead with heart, lifting others as we move forward and ensuring our legacy continues through the next generation.

Vivian Huelgo: How do you mentor or support the next generation of Latina leaders?

Carolina Ureña:
I actively seek out and mentor Latinas with potential, sharing lessons I wish I had known earlier and creating space for their voices to be heard. I do this with joy and purpose, knowing that by investing in them, I am helping build the future I dream of for my daughter.

Vivian Huelgo: How do you stay innovative and motivated in your work?

Carolina Ureña:
Curiosity keeps me innovative. I listen, learn, and ask questions constantly. My motivation comes from my immigrant roots and my family’s sacrifices. Failure is not an option when you are living your parents’ dream. I am driven by love for my children and a deep desire to create opportunities for those who follow. My motivation is grounded in my past, my present, and my future.

Vivian Huelgo: What is a recent lesson you learned that surprised you?

Carolina Ureña:
I have learned that resilience lives within us, even when life tests our limits. Pain and loss can break us open, but they also remind us of our strength. We do not get to choose every challenge we face, but we do choose to rise, and that choice defines who we are.

Vivian Huelgo: Gratitude is very important. Can you share something you are grateful for?

Carolina Ureña:
I am grateful for simple blessings: a safe home, a loving family, and meaningful work. Each morning, I pause in gratitude, knowing I am living my parents’ dream. Their sacrifices made my life possible, and I honor them by lifting others and carrying our story forward.

More about Carolina Ureña

Carolina Ureña is a Latina executive director and leader in sales administration, training, and communications for the PBG Distribution team at Morgan Stanley. She is a proud graduate of Barnard College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Economics with a minor in Latin American Studies.

She began her career at JPMorgan Chase through a competitive, scholarship-based analyst program before joining Morgan Stanley in 2010. Throughout her career, she has held key leadership roles, including Assistant Vice President on the High Net Worth Lending team and Vice President and Business Development Manager for the Private Banking Group National Sales Team.

Today, as Executive Director, Carolina leads training, communications, and business management for a 300-person national sales force serving Wealth Management clients across the United States and select international markets.

Carolina has been recognized as one of ALPFA’s Latinas to Watch, named a 2024 MAKER at Morgan Stanley, and honored with the 2025 Trailblazer Award by Latino Justice PRLDEF.

She also serves on the Board of Directors for Latino U College Access and co-chairs Women Leaders of PBG Distribution, supporting a community of more than 100 professionals. Born in the Dominican Republic and guided by her immigrant roots, Carolina leads with strategy, empathy, and purpose, and remains committed to inspiring others to lead with authenticity and heart.