Breaking The Cycle: Making a Life | Yesi Morrilo-Gual | TEDxNavesink

People exist in two worlds: The one they were born into, and the one they make. The first is defined by circumstance, the second by choice.

Everyone has the power to shift from circumstance to choice, and make a life that is different from the they were born into.

In many neighborhoods, they use the term “la lucha” – the struggle. It is their way of justifying poverty.

Today, many are still taught that generational poverty is the norm, and that it must be repeated from one generation to the next.

The unspoken conversations of success are missing at the family table (in these neighborhoods), leaving many to believe they have to own and live out their family’s history of struggle.

As these conversations go unspoken, society at large is affected by the perpetual existence of generational welfare.

A recognized leader and finance professional, Yesi serves as an executive Director at one of the largest financial services firms in the world, where she manages a trillion-dollar proposal portfolio. This year, Yesi celebrated her 25th year on Wall Street, where she has consistently climbed the ladder after having started her career as an executive assistant.

Outside her corporate role, Yesi is the founder of Proud To Be Latina, a for profit organization created to help Latinas banish self-doubt and break self-imposed barriers. Founded in 2011, Proud To Be Latina has become a premier platform where Latinas are taught the art of navigating corporate culture.

Yesi holds an MBA in Administration from Touro University and a Bachelor in Finance, with a minor in Graphic Design from Baruch College in New York.


Yesi resides in New York City with her husband and their two teenage sons. She is the author of RISE: Affirmations for Personal Growth, and the forthcoming novel, Stay.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx