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Yasmin Rivera-Klein, a Puerto Rican leader born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, is a partnership recruiting leader at Nationwide Insurance. She manages external recruiting relationships, candidate connections, and conference events to strengthen Nationwide’s talent pipeline. Outside of work, Rivera-Klein serves as president of ALPFA Phoenix, where she leads a team of more than thirty-five volunteers dedicated to empowering Latino professionals through mentorship, programming, and scholarships.
What is your greatest career accomplishment to date?
I was recently honored to accept the 2025 Leading Chapter of the Year award on behalf of ALPFA Phoenix in recognition of our leadership, growth, and community impact. Since I was appointed as President in January 2023, our chapter has seen substantial growth in our members, revenue, partners, and programs. Most notably, we launched our local Latinos in Sports initiative which included our inaugural Golf Clinic in partnership with two of golf’s leading brands PGA of America and Troon, access to executives within the sports industry, panel sessions, and more.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment to date?
Trusting in myself to use my voice even when it shakes. When I started my career in accounting, I was afraid to explore ways to advocate for others because I wasn’t sure how to do that for myself. I decided to push myself over the mental cliff knowing I brought value to the rooms I entered and was approved for my first trademark!
What do you do today to impact your community?
Outside of my roles at Nationwide and ALPFA Phoenix, I am also the founder of Latina Out Loud, an online community that provides professional development and resources for all Latinas to grow in their careers, businesses, and everyday lives. With any spare time, I volunteer with organizations aligned to my values in supporting access to those in need including Young & Empowered, the Organization of Latino Actuaries, and more.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself still learning and growing in my career while expanding how I impact my community. I aspire to be able to start a named scholarship fund to support students and career changers in financial need who are also committed to helping others.
What is the biggest issue that you want to help solve, and why?
I am deeply passionate about expanding educational and professional equity and access to Latinos and all underserved communities. As someone who is often the youngest and/or the only Latina in the room, I have a deep appreciation for those who broke down the doors before me. As I move forward in my career, I am committed to expanding access for everyone who wasn’t born with their network by creating spaces where we all belong and lift each other.
What is a moment when you realized the impact of your work?
I received a phone call from one of my students who was in tears—they thanked me for helping them secure their dream full-time role as their father recently became injured and out of work. Their career was not only supporting their success but their entire family.
What advice would 10-year-old you be shocked to hear you followed?
Move out of your hometown to grow. Growing up so close with my grandparents and cousins, I know ten-year-old Yasmin would not believe I now live two thousand miles away from home in Phoenix, Arizona.
What’s a cultural tradition that always brings you joy?
Helping my grandmother in the kitchen make pastelon, papas rellenos, tembleque, and all her top secret recipes with salsa music in the background. Then following up with an overly competitive game of dominos in la sala. We have a big family so bringing everyone together through food and games on special occasions always feels so special.
What song do you listen to that motivates you?
“La Vida es un Carnaval” by Celia Cruz and “En Mi Viejo San Juan” by Los Vegabajerons always leave me motivated and ready to go. Both songs remind me of my childhood and leave me ready to not only dance but take on the world.
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Connect with Yasmin Rivera-Klein on LinkedIn.
