Ana Vergel, International Financial Advisor

Ana Vergel is the definition of The American Dream. She migrated with her mother from Cuba 45 years ago with nothing but her dreams. Fast forward to today, Vergel is an International Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley, fulfilling her goals of finding success and happiness.

“I had hopes of finding stability in my life here,” said Vergel. “But, I would never imagine myself in the position that I am in now.”

Leaving the oppressive and communist Cuba to start a new life was her first step. One of the first things she wanted to do was obtain her American citizenship. But, it’s wasn’t easy. She was discriminated against because of her ethnicity, especially during that time period of the Mariel Boat Lift and Scareface fame.  But, she persevered.

“It was hard. Back then people weren’t so accepting of those seeking asylum,” said Vergel.

In the beginning, her main goal was to provide for herself, her mother and, eventually, her son, Christopher, who was born 25 years later.

“My family to me is the most important thing,” she said. “They taught me to have gratitude towards others and patience. My biggest fear is to lose the people I love.”

Vergel hopes that the world will one day be a place of peace and happiness, with little to no poverty. She wishes for those in power to reveal helpful medical information that they may be keeping from society, such as the cure to cancer.

“Like John Lennon states, ‘Imagine all the people, living life in peace’,” said Vergel, “We should all be kinder to one another.”