When Magaly Santiago joined Ascendus in 2001, the organization was a small team working out of Brooklyn. She began in customer service, and never really left. Nearly 25 years later, she leads Finance and Administration, serves on the Culture Committee, and remains one of the most consistent and grounding presences in the organization.

This Women’s History Month, we sat down with Magaly to hear her story, in her own words.

Q: How does being a Latina woman shape the way you lead at Ascendus?
A: I joined the organization in March 2001, when it was still very small, just three or four people in Service Department in Brooklyn. An opportunity came up to move into the accounting department, and I took it. I started as an accounting assistant, and over time my knowledge, responsibilities, and scope grew. That led to a promotion to manager, and later to director—both opportunities I was grateful to receive under Paul’s leadership. 

My personal journey has shaped how I lead. I’m a mother of two sons, and I’ve been a single parent for many years. For me, it has always been about balancing work and family. When I first started, I sometimes had to bring my baby to the office and work with him on my lap. That experience taught me that the right organization makes space for real life, because while family always comes first, the work still gets done.
Ascendus has been that kind of place. It has always been open to families and supportive of diversity, including Hispanic representation in leadership. Not every organization offers that, and it has made a meaningful difference in my journey.

My advice to women looking to grow is simple: don’t stay still. Be open to opportunities. I started in computer programming in the 1980s, moved into administrative work, earned a degree in human resources, and ultimately built my career in accounting. Being open to change allows you to grow in ways you might not expect.

I also encourage women to step forward and be visible. Volunteer, join committees, speak up. Even one hour a month can open doors. It helps you learn more about the organization, connect with others, and make your voice heard.

At Ascendus, I participate in committees not because I have to, but because it helps me stay connected. Right now, through the Culture Committee, we are working to ensure that as we grow, we don’t lose sight of our roots. As organizations evolve, they can become more corporate and less personal. It’s important to remember where we came from, why we are here, and who we serve, so that no one gets left behind.
I also make it a point to speak during all-staff meetings. Those moments matter. Emails can be missed, but when everyone is together, your voice reaches the entire organization. It’s an opportunity to contribute, to connect, and to be heard.

Q: What has Ascendus given you over these twenty-plus years?
A: Ascendus has given me a place where I can be myself. It has given me the opportunity to share my perspective, contribute my knowledge, and even express my concerns openly.

At the same time, it has given me the chance to serve our community. When we support small businesses, we’re not just helping business owners, we’re helping their employees, their families, and their suppliers. It creates a ripple effect. Everything we do has an impact beyond what we immediately see.

Q: What do you hope you’ve left behind as a Latina woman in leadership?
A: I hope to leave a legacy that is remembered.

I often think about Carmen, my first manager, who has since passed. She was the one who encouraged me to move into accounting. She saw something in me before I saw it in myself. Her vision for me was big, and it changed my path.

I hope that through my work, through the meetings, the committees, the processes I’ve helped build across departments, I’ve contributed to making the organization stronger.

One of my personal hopes is to see Ascendus grow into an international organization. To know that I was part of that journey would mean a lot to me.

Q: What is one message you would want every Ascender to carry with them?
A: We all share a mission and a vision, and we each play a role in bringing it to life.

An organization is like a body, you may be the arms, the eyes, the voice, or the feet. But if you stop moving, the whole body is affected. We all need to stay engaged and active.

We are also the face of the organization, even when we are not in front-facing roles. Recently, I helped a client who reached out unexpectedly because their loan consultant was no longer with us. In that moment, I represented Ascendus.

Sometimes your role may be as simple as carrying boxes, but even then, you represent the organization. Everything you do should reflect our values, our ethics, and our mission.

Our values were defined years ago, but they still guide us today. It’s important to revisit them, reflect on them, and make sure we continue to live by them.