Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathalin Carvalho. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kathalin, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

The first step is to serve in ways that bring me joy. I practice active listening to better understand the needs of the community I’m part of. Engaging and partnering with other community leaders and the people they serve, have allowed me to assess current needs and create blocks of assistance to better the life of residents who are struggling in meeting the basis needs. I would like to be remembered as an enabler , a doer, a support system for those need their voice to be elevated to other levels of society that could help in resolving their problems.

Kathalin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

25 years ago, I moved to the United States from Maracaibo, Venezuela . Before moving to the U.S. , I was so much involved in social projects at my school and university by actively participated with my closest network in improving spaces and the quality of those around me. For example, at my local University in Maracaibo, I coordinated along with 3 other students a tree planting project on a big empty lot around the new classrooms. We wanted not only to improve the look of the area where everyone gathered and walked around but to bring cooling and shade for all students. Today, 28 years later, all trees are gown and splendid providing to all students exactly what we wanted. Ten years ago while working for financial institutions, I looked for other volunteers to put together a new Board of directors to create the first Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Associates in Central Florida – ACAMS Central Florida Chapter that could bring training opportunities locally to banking professionals working in the area of compliance and fraud, Today, we have a large number of members and the chapter continued assisting hundreds of professional in receiving best class education and networking opportunities in the Tampa Bay area. Again, and all started because corporate offices wouldn’t approve all employees to travel to Miami, NY, or Washington to get educational credits for the certifications. So, I brought the opportunity to our area by speaking to ACAMS headquarters and creating a local chapter. I keep same basic principle of “if you see something, do something”, and continue seeking solutions where I see the struggles.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

In any corporate job that I had, I have managed to stay involved with the community, I have been working in the financial, manufacturing, government, private, non-profit , local and global companies, and all these interactions have been pivotal for me to grow my network of support throughout these years. Building relationships across all industries and staying consistent with my values and causes, have been key to continue supporting other organizations in the community where I live. I have incorporated all skill learned throughout my legal & compliance career when forming and managing the projects that I’ve been part of, and have partnered with key individuals and companies to help driving community outreach projects impacting thousand of residents. Working for local and international companies as well as learning three different languages, had allowed me to better connect with other cultures and latitudes, and I feel that I can reach out to many more people when I use my multilingual skills. After the creation of the ACAMS Central Florida Chapter in our area, the second biggest turning point in my life has been leading the HCSO Hispanic Advisory Council. I had so many proud moments while working and volunteering under the leadership of the Hillsborough County sheriff’s Chad Chronister. I have learned from all council members and the Team HCSO, how we can impact and enrich the life of others by creating positive changes and opportunities to our communities. The more we empower and improve the quality of life of those around us, the safer and sound our communities will be. We work to close many gaps such as access to education, technology and food or other access to other vital resources that would assist our people in better integrating to the community where they live. Building the trust with other organizations and the community I represent has been essential to increase the contributions these past years. It may feel like a 100 lbs of responsibility on top of you, but when you work with such a great group of committed volunteers, things may not feel that heavy, Everyone in this Council is a public servant by heart and give 1,000 percent to make this community a better place to live, and that passion made us move mountains. It feels amazing to be part of the solution, and that feel is the main driver to continue creating opportunities to help others.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I have learned to follow my passion and my values – it never fails. I surround myself with trusted individuals that keep me grounded and motivated. I have learned to be resilient since a very young age, since the day I moved to the U.S. 25 years ago and stayed away from my family and closest friends, Creating new relationships, new job opportunities as well as adapting to a new culture, a new environment , a new language , a total new way of living, a total new society, cultivated in me a “superpower” to simple move on and recover quickly from the adversities. I’m a person of faith, and that spirituality has also instilled in me a culture of gratitude which I externalized by giving back to others. Besides serving others through my role at the Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council, I have been participating in other community projects with other local organizations by mentoring college students or speaking on non-profits or professional matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.teamhcso.com/Section/bda450b8-3763-4810-b018-d792d9383d85/Hispanic-Advisory-Council
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheriffshispaniccouncil/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheriffsHispanicCouncil/
• Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kathalin-carvalho

Image Credits
Image with sheriff (courtesy of the HCSO)