Staci LaToison

Rewriting Financial Power and Generational Legacy

By Staci LaToison

Some stories begin with a single dream. Mine began with generations of courage. Long before I led multi-billion-dollar energy projects, became an award-winning angel investor, authored a bestselling book, or built a national financial-empowerment platform, my story began with my Abuela — Aida María Báez.

She was a fierce Puerto Rican woman who came to the United States at just 19 years old without speaking a word of English. She cleaned houses, saved every penny, and worked tirelessly to bring her mother, sisters, and brothers to this country.

Her sacrifice planted the roots of my ambition. My parents, Sergio and June, always emphasized the importance of education. Their guidance helped me become the first in my family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology from the University of Houston. I later earned an MBA in International Business from the University of St. Thomas and eventually achieved my Ivy League dream by completing the Senior Venture Capital & Private Equity Program at Columbia University.

As a child, I dreamed boldly. I wanted to be a singer, lawyer, sportscaster, or WNBA star. I even sang with Beyoncé in Girls Tyme years before Destiny’s Child made history — a moment that hinted at the big stages I would one day step onto.

My life changed when I became a teenage mother at 17. I went to college part-time, worked full-time, and raised my son, DJ, on my own. I literally don’t remember sleeping, and the sacrifice paid off. I bought my first home at 25 and became even more determined to build a better future for my family.

My journey expanded globally when Chevron sent me to China for five years, where I welcomed the love of my life — my daughter, Sofia, who was born in Beijing. Living abroad also deepened my connection to my Abuela’s courage. I brought my kids, parents, and nephews to more than 30 countries — a full-circle moment that honored her legacy of bravery and possibility.

After 22 years directing global operations and multi-billion-dollar energy projects across five continents, I made my boldest leap: leaving corporate America to build a platform dedicated to the financial empowerment of women, especially those who have been historically overlooked and underestimated.

That vision became Dream Big Ventures, the globally recognized “Her Money Moves” podcast, and the “Her Money Moves” summits — gatherings that bring together women leaders, founders, investors, and allies to transform the way women think about money and wealth. As demand grows, the 2026 summits are already attracting attention from sponsors and attendees.

My Amazon bestselling book, Money Moves: From Financial Stress to Financial Success, which reached #1 in the Women & Business category, was written with a clear mission. As I often say,

“We don’t grow up talking about money, yet every day of our lives we have to make a financial decision. And with the education system offering almost no financial literacy, too many people are left navigating money in the dark. We deserve better — better tools, clearer guidance, and a relatable, real-world roadmap to build wealth with confidence.”

Today, through my book, summits, workshops, investments in women-led ventures, and my growing media platform, I am doing what the education system never did for me: making financial literacy accessible, culturally relevant, and empowering. And the accomplishment I value most? Raising DJ and Sofia to know their worth, own their power, and never see limits.

About the Author

Staci LaToison

Rewriting Financial Power and Generational Legacy

¡Las Jefas!