Leadership

Samanda Morales is the Chief Executive Officer of Ahora Inc., a not-for-profit organization that empowers individuals and families in their journey toward self-reliance & wealth generation. A financial services leader, Samanda has worked in finance for over 25 years. She worked at Bank of New York Mellon’s Global Institutional Accounting & Risk Solutions department for over 19 years where she partnered with executives across the company to devise and implement operational improvements that optimized value. Prior to her tenure at Bank of New York Mellon, Samanda worked at State Street Corporation in the Mutual Fund’s custody department. She managed a team of account controllers responsible for the custody and accounting valuation of institutional clients.

Samanda also possesses extensive experience in the non-profit finance arena. She has served as treasurer for several not-for-profit organizations in Massachusetts, including El Jolgorio de Massachusetts, Inc., Bethany Congregational Church, as well as the Friends of the Lynnfield Library. Moreover, Samanda supported non-profit organizations and small businesses as a financial adviser, financial literacy instructor and consultant.

Samanda earned her Business Administration degree from Salem State College and is a Certified Personal Finance Consultant. She is a candidate for the MBA at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and is a member of the CFP board. Finally, Samanda holds a certificate of Entrepreneurship Essentials from Harvard Online Business School. An avid reader, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her two sons and traveling to her birthplace in the Dominican Republic.

Yasmin Cavallo has over 25 years of experience in financial services. She has worked at BNY Mellon Global Institutional Accounting & Risk Solutions Department for over 15 years serving as a project manager within the Private Investment Accounting and Administrative Services Team. Yasmin has held many different positions at BNYMellon such as Unit Manager of a team of 20 in the Global Institutional Accounting Department. Yasmin has experience with the development and implementation of procedures establishing and maintaining relationships with clients, investment managers, record-keepers, and auditors. Yasmin and her team managed both daily and monthly valued funds including limited partnerships, hedge funds, endowments, offshore funds, corporate defined contribution, and defined benefit plans. Yasmin has previously worked as a Branch Manager Officer at the Seaport Credit Union in Salem Massachusetts where she oversaw 10 employees and over $1,000,000 in transactions. At the Credit Union she was focused on membership growth, customer service improvement, and established strong relationships within the Salem Community. Prior to joining the Credit Union, Yasmin worked at State Street Corporation as an Account Manager in the Mutual Fund Custody/Accounting Department. Yasmin has served and volunteered at the Small Business Administration office and in many initiatives such as ESL teacher, taught introduction to computers, financial literacy teacher, mentored and assisted with resume building and job interview preparation for first time job applicants.

Carmen Mejia has 30 years of experience in financial services. She is a problem solver with robust experience in data analysis, project management, and client service. Carmen has extensive knowledge and experience guiding clients to resolve complex problems. She has worked as a performance analyst and financial service analyst at State Street Bank, a Fortune 500 company. At State Street, she collaborated with analysts to ensure the readiness and accuracy of clients’ portfolios, she led a reconciliation team that was responsible for reconciling the benchmark reports and State Street book of records. Carmen has also worked in the client service department at State Street, where she supported institutional clients and investment managers. Carmen is originally from Puerto Rico. During her free time, she volunteers to guide families through the college application process and leads a women’s group where she provides counseling and life advice.