Adriana Brunner shows us how education and community engagement can help you make the most of your money.
By Melanie Slone
Finances are one of the leading causes of stress in the United States, according to Adriana “Adri” Brummer. “Latinos are not prepared,” she told North County Informador. “The kids are graduating from schools, going into colleges, and they don’t even know how to manage a credit card.”
Born and raised in Medellín, Colombia, Adriana is now the Business Development Manager for MyPoint Credit Union in San Diego County. She dedicates her time to working with the community on finance and other types of empowerment.
A LATINA SUCCESS STORY
Adriana got a degree in economics in Colombia and two masters in Latin American Finance. Still, like so many immigrants, she realized quickly that she had to prove her abilities in the United States, so she did an MBA here, with a minor in marketing. “And I haven’t stopped studying. I have done certifications in clean energy, social media, leadership, you name it, because I believe in always keep educating myself,” she said.
Adriana started her career at Wells Fargo. Later, MyPoint—Loma Prieta Credit Union at the time—saw her potential, she told us. “First, speaking Spanish is a strength. And number 2, understanding the Latino community, that is mainly a Mexican community, here in San Diego.
How do they talk? Where do they shop? What is their faith?”
Adriana is proud to serve the Latino community through her work and volunteer activities. “I define success not by money or by recognition. I define success by doing the right thing,” she said. “As a Latina, colombiana, my duty is to represent the Latino community and offer them ethical and quality products and services.”
She is also involved in many community organizations. ”I sit now on 7 different boards that I serve with a passion because I’m not just Adriana; I’m representing the Latino women… I feel I need to carry the Latino woman with dignity and with respect because I’m representing them.”
Over the last 21 years, she has seen changes in the Latino community. “When I came, there were not a lot of Latino women on positions or anywhere. Now you see them…So, I think we have been able to really make a difference.”
Just as keeping up on her studies has empowered Adriana, she believes education is the key to success for others. “I truly believe in the mentoring model.”
“We want to expose the students to mentors or role models that they can see out there,” she said. She wants to make sure Latinas make it through college are exposed to STEM careers (science, technology, engineering, and math).
She hopes people will find inspiration in her story. “They can see, well this lady did it, so can I do it, too, you know? Yes, you can do it. So, it’s kind of changing a little bit the mentality on don’t think small. Think big.”
CREDIT IS A MUST
Adriana offered some quick financial advice to the community.
“One thing about finance is, whether you like it or not, you need credit in the United States,” said Adriana. She feels there is a gap between communities regarding their finances and that Latinos need good advice from engaged institutions.
Credit is not a choice, she said. “You have to have it because the FICO score, it means your credit score, is not only giving you the possibility to apply for mortgages or cars…but also a lot of employers are running your report.”
She explained that the United States is a credit economy. “If you have good credit, it means that you are organized with your finance…Credit is a must.”
“Coming from Colombia, and I know the people in Mexico, and Peru, Ecuador, and they save their whole lives to buy a house. And they will try to buy the home in cash, or they do a huge down payment. But that’s nearly impossible here. The only person who would be able to buy a home in cash is someone, who I mean, it’s a millionaire, or it’s an investor, or has a ton of money, but not me or regular people. You need a mortgage,” explained Adriana. “And that’s how you are going to build equity is through credit.”
She said there is a right way to build credit. “There are products, and that’s what credit unions do,” she added. They “help you build credit without doing the wrong thing.”
EDUCATION TO MAKE DREAMS COME TRUE
Adriana fights for education to help everyone succeed. “Latinos and minorities, even the counselors will tell them, oh, you will never go to college,” said Adriana, but she added that it isn’t so.
Adriana supports programs like MANA—where she is involved directly—and Encuentros. “Latino girls are doing amazing! If you take the numbers of MANA San Diego, and MANA North County, both our girls are finishing college and going into masters.”
Adriana believes credit unions are well-known for educating the community because they feel that part of their reason to exist is to educate. She thinks the corporate world should be involved in the schools, mentoring students and engaging with the community.
She also supports the role of community colleges. “I think the community colleges offer career paths that can be successful careers. Or you can start there, get comfortable, and then get transferred,” she said. Adriana reminds us that responsible corporations, community colleges, and organizations like MANA and Encuentros can make dreams come true, while at the same time good credit can reduce stress and turn ideas into reality
