How Jhoanna Astudillo is Transforming Financial Access and Education for Latino Communities
- Mar 10
- 3 min read
Leaving everything behind to start over in another country is one of the hardest decisions a person can make. Learning to navigate an unfamiliar place, speak a different language, and adapt to a new culture requires extraordinary determination.
Jhoanna Astudillo’s journey is one of resilience and finding purpose in the obstacles. She not only survived this experience but managed to build a meaningful career out of it.
Jhoanna arrived in the United States at 18, carrying a mix of hope and heartache. After waiting 11 years to emigrate from Ecuador, her older brother aged out of eligibility, forcing a difficult family separation. That loss, paired with the daunting reality of starting over in an unfamiliar country, fueled her determination to succeed.
Astudillo’s first year in the U.S. was marked by isolation and cultural challenges. "I felt like a mute," she recalled. Yet, this feeling of silence became the foundation for her life's mission: to amplify the voices of those who often go unheard.
From Immigrant to Soldier
Two weeks after arriving in the United States, Astudillo enlisted in the U.S. Army. The military became a crucible for her character. Early on, she noticed she was often assigned the toughest, least desirable tasks. Frustrated, she brought it up with her supervisor, who offered a perspective that stayed with her: “You’re chosen because you show up. Your uniform is crisp. You’re on time. You do things the right way.” Less than three years later, she was promoted to sergeant.
After her time in the U.S. Army, Astudillo went on to earn her bachelor's degrees in international business and marketing from Illinois State University and began working in the financial services industry. In 2017, Jhoanna joined BOK Financial.
Championing Financial Empowerment
Today, Astudillo serves as Hispanic Segment Leader at BOK Financial, the first person to hold this role. In this position, she leads efforts to address financial inequities and expand access to resources for Hispanic and Latino communities. This population contributes an estimated $3.78 trillion in purchasing power to the U.S. yet faces systemic barriers that limit their ability to build wealth.
“This role is about creating opportunities for financial empowerment,” Astudillo said. “It’s about making a lasting impact for families and businesses.”
In her work, Astudillo believes in the power of financial education that reflects the cultural experiences of the communities it serves and as a first-generation immigrant, she understands how to overcome barriers such as language limitations and cultural differences. Therefore, as part of her commitment to this community, Astudillo also serves on the boards of several Hispanic-serving organizations.
“That experience of being voiceless stays with me,” she said. “I want to be the voice for others who feel the same.”
Every Day Is an Interview
Astudillo’s leadership and accomplishments reflect the resilience of her mother, who balanced full-time work, education, and raising four children in Ecuador. “Her example showed me what resilience looks like,” Astudillo said.
Now as a leader, she values consistency and effort over titles or formal recognition and encourages others to do the same. “The title is just the result of work you’ve already done,” she explained. “Every day is an interview.”
Her story offers clear lessons: embrace learning opportunities even when they are challenging, confront obstacles with determination, and take time to understand the systems around us that shape our individual and communal success.
Connect with Jhoanna
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