Meet Your
First Gen Mentor®
AS SEEN IN
The First Gen Mentor® is a first-generation and other woman of color’s guidebook to financial literacy, self-advocacy, and professional success.
First Gen Money Matters
Hi, I’m Gigi—your financial educator and bestselling author of Cultura & Cash! I’m on a mission to empower first-generation students and young professionals of color entering the workplace to confidently manage their money, pay off debt, build generational wealth, and gain financial freedom. The first-generation and BIPOC experience often comes without a roadmap aka guidance, insight, and knowledge enjoyed by many of our peers around navigating higher education and professional spaces.
As a first-gen Latina myself, I’ve experienced the discomfort and overwhelm that comes from attempting to manage, invest, and grow my income as the first in the family to enter these spaces. I’ve experienced reaching the level of success my family dreamed of me and having the desire to give back and uplift the same people who sacrificed so much to help get me here. I remember how it felt to be lost and want guidance on how to support my loved ones and while planning my financial future and not find it. I set out to change that by paving the way for those who come behind me through guidance, mentorship, and financial education.
I don’t just talk a big game. I’ve put my money where my mouth is by getting the education, certification, and industry experience—so I can share everything I’ve learned with you! In fact, I’m even deep into writing a book that will be launching in January of 2024! Keep an eye out!
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“More than a teacher, she is a mentor and role model...
Giovanna and her passionate approach to financial education is refreshing, motivating, and engaging. As a first generation, Latinx woman, and finance professional, Giovanna’s approach is impactful and essential to connect with the younger generations. She’s lent her voice to our Know Your Worth panel discussions, teaching women of color how to advocate for themselves to gain financial freedom. More than a teacher, she is a mentor and role model to those she serves showing them the path to financial success is attainable. The range of her experience and audience reach has been valuable to YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix and our community.”
-DEBBIE ESPARZA, CEO AT YWCA METROPOLITAN PHOENIX
FOUNDER + CEO
Giovanna “Gigi” Gonzalez
I’m a proud first-generation American, first-generation college graduate, and first-generation wealth builder.
If you’re a first-gen student or professional, I’m willing to bet that my money journey started off much like yours. Before I ever read over 50 finance books, earned a BA in Economics, added on a certificate in investment performance measurement, taught financial literacy for 2 years as a volunteer financial educator, and amassed over 10 years of experience in financial services, I had a hard time navigating money and my career as the first in my family to enter these spaces.
Learning how money works didn’t come naturally to me–and it wasn’t taught to me at home or at school. I had no idea how to pay off debt, build wealth, and move up the corporate ladder in my new career. In fact, I found myself starting my professional career $50k in debt, with no generational wealth for support, and living paycheck to paycheck. It was overwhelming!
Although I love my parents and appreciate the sacrifice they made by bringing our family to this country, they did not have the financial means or the financial education to help me get started. They were immigrants just trying to survive in a new country. That meant I was on my own.
MONEY LESSONS THAT CLICK
Money Doesn’t Have To Be Difficult To Understand
Ten years later, I'm excited to share that I'm completely debt-free and have a net worth of six figures while financially supporting myself and my family on the average American salary. After spending 10 years in the financial investment field, I’ve gone on to build a successful career teaching financial literacy and career readiness to college students at universities and as a financial influencer on my TikTok account @thefirstgenmentor where I built a community of over 195,000+.
Through my professional and lived experience, I’ve seen the ways in which jargon-filled bro culture within the finance industry essentially functions to gatekeep BIPOC from these spaces. I’ve also learned money doesn’t have to be as difficult to understand as they made it seem.
That’s why I’m so adamant about meeting first-gen Latinas, low-income students, and people of color where they are by teaching with empathy, humor, and through the use of personal anecdotes recounting the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Navigating post-college life as a first-gen without any family resources was not an easy road, but I know from personal experience it can be done. I'm here to show you how.
How Can I Serve You?
GIGI, I NEED A:
I Need A Speaker
I Need A Money Course
I represent a School, University, or Institution, and I need an engaging speaker for our next event who can blow our audience away with value-packed lessons, relatable stories, and thoughtful insights.
I’m ready to start exploring investing and money management concepts from the comfort of my laptop. I’m looking for engaging, actionable lessons that are easy to implement.
I Need A Money Coach
I am ready to step into the world of personal finance for the first time with a money mentor by my side who can keep learning fun, fresh, and approachable.
I’m Writing A Book!
Did you hear the news? I won a $50,000 grant to write a personal finance book for the First Gen and Latinx community. The grant was issued by TikTok in partnership with MACRO and UnbeliEVAbleEntertainment.
