Meet Morgan Stanley MAKER and D&I Champion Carolina Ureña

Just shy of her eighth birthday, Carolina Ureña immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States with her family, embarking on a life-changing journey that would shape her future. Her parents, with their three young children, shoeboxed into a one-bedroom, third-floor walk-up apartment in the Bronx, N.Y. Carolina didn’t know any English, had no friends and “immediately wanted to go back home,” remembers the Morgan Stanley Executive Director and Head of Business Operations for Morgan Stanley’s Private Banking Group (PBG) Distribution Team.

It took years for her to become bilingual, but with a supportive and persistent push from her parents, she found herself excelling at school and placing in honors classes. Knowing her family couldn’t afford to send her to college, Carolina applied to “every scholarship program that was available,” including one she knowingly submitted past the deadline. Yet fate would grant her acceptance into that highly competitive program, rewarding her with a full college scholarship and a paid internship at JP Morgan Chase that would be the break of a lifetime. 

“The universe just put everything in place,” says the grateful Carolina. “My parents were so proud and were able to see the fruits of their sacrifice.”

Through the scholarship program, she completed four one-year work assignments at JP Morgan Chase while simultaneously attending her “dream school,” Barnard College, and being mentored by senior management. At Barnard, she quickly experienced how the all-women’s school supports their students “in every way possible,” with “a host of people and resources nurturing me to grow and succeed.” Her college experience instilled in Carolina that “women can do anything.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Political Economics with a minor in Latin American Studies, JP Morgan Chase hired her as a full-time rotational analyst. Carolina grew there for 10 years before joining Morgan Stanley in 2010, starting as an assistant vice president with the High Net Worth Lending Product Team within the PBG. She moved into PBG National Sales as the Business Development Manager in 2015 and continued to grow within the sales organization. Today, she oversees training, communications and business management for the almost 300-person PBG Distribution Team. She’s proud to be at a firm where “no matter where you come from, you can succeed.”

As she advanced in her own journey, she made it a priority to be a resource and mentor for others, actively nurturing their growth and paving the way for their success. Though mentorship is a core value for Carolina, just as crucial is her desire to be a powerful example for others who share her background and identity, showing them that they, too, can see themselves in her achievements and aspire to even greater heights. These efforts led to her being named a Morgan Stanley MAKER, Class of 2024, joining a community of advocates, innovators and groundbreakers for women’s advancement, all nominated by their peers. 

THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE

Recognizing the special challenges of the “immigrant experience,” she does all she can to champion immigrants, including other Latinos. “We’re always advocating for each other, trying to help one another,” she says. “The Latino community at Morgan Stanley is absolutely wonderful.”

For example, Carolina co-led the first-ever Latino U College Access (LUCA) and Morgan Stanley open house and networking event, where first-generation Latino college students participated in a full day of conversations and tours to expose them to career opportunities in financial services. It was held during Hispanic Heritage Month. Thanks to Carolina and the success of this initial experience, the event is now an annual one.

Even with all her success, imposter syndrome creeps in. “When I was named a MAKER, I couldn’t understand why—I don’t do enough,” she thought to herself. Still, she makes every effort to “rise above” any undeserving feelings. To do so, she reflects on how she got here, remembering the sacrifices her parents made and a family she calls her champions.

“My biggest inspiration has always been my parents,” says Carolina, whose husband of more than 15 years quit his job during the COVID-19 pandemic to care for their two children, Samantha, now 5, and Edgar, now 8. “I hope that by the time Samantha comes into the workforce, diversity doesn’t have to be a forced discussion,” says Carolina, who has “seen firsthand the talent that lies within diversity and the power that comes from inclusion.” 

BRING OTHERS WITH YOU

Carolina is an alumna of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s National Diversity & Inclusion Council and currently co-chairs the Women Leaders of PBG National Sales (WLNS), an affinity group focused on supporting and building a community for women in the bank’s sales organization. Under her leadership, WLNS launched enhanced communications focused on D&I, mental health and wellness. In addition, WLNS has hosted professional development series, technical trainings and regional events around the country as well as launched numerous communications and national calls in support of its members. Most recently, Carolina was recognized as one of the Association of Latino Professionals for America’s (ALPFA) Latinas to Watch, which highlights 50 of the Nation’s most impactful Latinas in 2023.

Carolina has a mantra: “As you rise, your responsibility is to pull others with you.” That’s how she tries to live every day. If she sees an opportunity to help somebody, she does it. “Helping someone, even in the most minute way, and then seeing them succeed truly feeds my soul.”