The silence led Reyes to many financial mistakes, including overspending, a disregard for savings and credit card debt. It also led her to a career in finance and a mission to educate youth in BIPOC communities about the importance of fiscal responsibility.

Understanding the challenges youth in the BIPOC communities face, Reyes founded The Financial Literacy Youth (FLY) Initiative, a non-profit organization that provides culturally responsive financial literacy programming to underserved and underrepresented students. The overall mission is to empower youth with knowledge, skills and experiences to end generational poverty.

She created FLY because it touches home.

With little resources and not an ounce of financial education, Reyes put herself through college, developing a passion for finance while studying at Rhode Island College. She later attended Northeastern University, where she earned a master’s degree in finance.

Reyes’ goal is to implement FLY in every high school in Rhode Island.

In addition to serving as the chief executive officer of The FLY Initiative, Reyes is the director of strategy and planning for Commonwealth Care Alliance, and is an adjunct faculty member at Rhode Island College.

A changemaker, educator and internationally recognized businesswoman with more than 20 years of experience in education, finance and healthcare, Reyes is the “speaking proof” of what financial education can do. She is passionate and determined to further diversity as well as educate and provide equal opportunities for underserved and underrepresented youth.

She is also active in the community. Reyes serves on the Board of Directors of the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education, and Rhode Island College’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. In addition, she volunteers as a Year Up youth mentor.

A single mom, her daughter attends Clemson University.