Background
Alvarez was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico into a family of modest economical means, who despite their hardships always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
journalist private sector banker
Alvarez was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico into a family of modest economical means, who despite their hardships always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.
In New York, she attended high school and participated in a program called "ASPIRA".
After she received her primary education in Puerto Rico, her family moved to New York City in hopes of improving their economic situation. "ASPIRA" was founded by Doctor Antonia Pantoja and has helped disadvantaged children, especially girls, gain the leadership skills and knowledge required to go to college. Álvarez applied and was accepted at Radcliffe College where in 1971 she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating cum laude.
During her student years many people provided her with support.
She later became a news reporter and anchor for Metromedia Television (Channel Five) also in New New York Álvarez ventured into the banking business by becoming an investment banker at the First Boston Corporation and at Bear Stearns.
On June 1993, Álvarez was named Director of the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight. She created a financial safety and soundness oversight program for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In 1997, Álvarez was appointed by President Bill Clinton, Administrator of the, thus becoming the first Hispanic woman and Puerto Rican to serve as an executive officer in the United States. Cabinet.
She directed the delivery of a comprehensive set of financial and business development programs for American small businesses. The agency provided financing worth eleven billion dollars a year to small businesses across the nation. In 2000, Álvarez was elected to the Board of Overseers of Harvard University.
Her role is to visit the graduate schools, departments and museums of the University to ensure that the University remains true to its Charter as a place of learning.
She also serves on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Coalition for Supportive Housing and is on the Board of Trustees of the Latino Community Foundation.
During the 2004 Presidential Election, Álvarez was named official spokeswoman for Senator John Kerry. Álvarez had met Kerry during her days as the administrator.
She became familiar with his work in the United States. Senate for small business development.
As of January 2008, Alvarez sits on the board of directors for Wal-Mart. As of 2014, Álvarez sits on the Board of Directors of The Cisneros Center for New Americans. "I first learned about leadership when I fought back after a female gang leader tried to bully medical ".
As a public servant, she spent two years at the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation She was also a commissioner on the New York City Charter Revision Commission and a member of the Mayor"s (New York City) Committee on Appointments.