Maria A. Álvarez is the driving force behind My Virtual CFO – ATL, providing personalized accounting services in Atlanta with a rich background spanning over two decades in finance and executive leadership. Her expertise extends to enhancing efficiency and elevating service quality across diverse sectors, from multi-million dollar corporations to non-profits and government agencies. Beyond her professional success, Maria is a dedicated LGBTQ+ advocate, actively involved in initiatives such as the Take Back the Night 5K fundraiser and associations like HRC and Capital Pride. Her commitment to community service is evident in her previous treasurer roles for non-profits like Radical Arts for Women and Identity Inc. She currently serves as treasurer of the 2024 President for Out GA, the Decatur Business Assc., Placita Latina, and also on the board of Comunidad Connect, the Decatur Land Trust. Maria’s global travels have fostered a deep sense of compassion and acceptance, driving her advocacy for inclusion not only in her professional pursuits but also in her personal mission to empower individuals by encouraging them to find their voice and effect positive change through leadership.
Q: What do you feel like is your special sauce?
A: I try to keep it exciting. People are very tight about telling their financial secrets. I always tell people, ‘think of me as your gynecologist.’ You could not hide things from your doctor, because it will turn into a cancer. So the same thing, if you hide things from your accountant, it will turn into a cancer in the sense that the IRS is going to come and audit you. You know, you might even go to jail, if you have not paid taxes, you know, and you owe all this or you haven’t paid. So you know, it can turn into a cancer. So I always tell people it’s like, think of me as like your doctor; you tell me everything. It dies here, and we can make it better.
Q: It seems as though you’re a natural advocate for DEI. Is there anything that drives your advocacy?
A: I think it’s a couple of things. I think it’s definitely being a minority, of a minority, of a minority. I always tell people I’m a woman (I’m a lesbian cisgender woman) and then on top of that, I’m partially deaf.
So as a kid, you don’t know if you’re going to be accepted. I was born hearing. I lost my hearing afterwards. So in that sense, I kind of felt that I wish I would have made a difference for other people. Like, if I would have met somebody gay, or I would have met other Latinos in Italy, it would have been, ‘well, there’s other people like me.’ I try very hard to encompass everybody, because I just love humans; no matter what religion, I can lead by example.
Q: Who are the people in your life that you most admire?
A: Well, obviously, my parents. They made it three times around the world with the entire family without splitting the family up and made lots of sacrifices for us learn a new language. They didn’t speak English, but my dad spoke English. My mom didn’t. And it’s funny because my dad now he mostly reverts to Spanish or Italian and my mom speaks English. Another person that I have always admired is Michelle Obama. The lady is just brilliant.
Q: What would you say is kind of like your biggest motivator right now?
A: I’m gonna say my cat, because he wants food in the morning.
I think it’s also just the motivation to change the world in a positive way. To create community. My partner always says that I never, never meet a stranger. That’s probably what motivates me is just to be a better role model. Just a better human, and to make the world a better place.
Q: What is one cultural element, it could be a value or a tradition, that is specific to your culture that you identify with the most?
A: I don’t know, because it seems to me like we all have the same values. Very similar values. I was reading years ago that Nicaraguans are one of the friendliest people on the planet. I was also reading that Italians are the friendliest people on the planet. Culturally, I just love being friendly, being opening and being welcoming. Universally we want to be happy.
To stay connected with Maria Álvarez:
Website: MyVirtualCFO-Atl.com
LinkedIn: Maria Álvarez
Instagram: @2dancingunicorns; @thewinechik
