Name: Monica Andry
Company: University Federal Credit Union
Role: Financial Health Program Manager

 

1. 1. 1. What brought you to Austin and how long have you been here?
         I moved to Austin when I was 8 from California. My parents had visited a friend and though Austin was way quieter than LA, imagine that! I thought it was creepy at first with all the cricket and coyote howling, but then again, I was coming from the concrete jungle. I’m a reborn Austinite, and proud of it.
      2. How did you get connected to AYC?
         My WAY over 40 boss thought it would be a good group for us to connect with as a credit union, and signed us up for a mixer. I joked that AYC wouldn’t let him in, but his wisdom was spot on! Little did we know that UFCU & AYC would become best of friends and close partners for the next 8 years.
      3. What are you involved with in AYC AND what is your favorite part of AYC?
         I started as a member, then moved on to Chair of the then called “ChangeMaker Luncheon” and now I’m servings as the chair for the Austin Young Chamber Foundation Supervisory Committee. For me, the Austin Young Chamber represents a great network of talent, diversity, passion, and idealism! We need that in our world. Young people who want to make a difference. I’m rejuvenated every time I attend an event, and my heart fills with joy knowing that there are young professionals out there committed to improving our communities.
      4. Where can we find you brunching in Austin on any given Saturday?
         Brunching? I’m sleeping in on Saturday! This hardworking mama needs a break. I make the best pancakes, ask my kids, we are brunching at CASA Andry’s.
      5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you use it for?
         Oh goodness. I would have the power to be able to make people walk in other people’s shoes, like a mind swap so they could learn to empathize, and relate, and understand, and stop judging. The world needs more empathy and to stop all this nonsense!.
      6. If you could have any celebrity live next door to you, who would it be?
         OMG. Tiffany Haddish!!! I love her. She is crazy hilarious and I love to laugh at my self and others!
      7. If you had guests visiting Austin for the weekend, where is the first place you would take them to show them a good time?
         Hmm, mi CASA. I’m Latin, there isn’t anything better than having people over enjoying a good bbq, with kiddos running around everywhere and enjoying a nice michelada, margarita, shot, whatever your poison. I’m over sweating up a storm on some sidewalk waiting in line to get in! HA!
      8. If you played hooky for a day, where would we find you and what would you be doing?
         I would be binge-watching “This is Us” crying my eyes out and wondering how I’m messing up my kids.
      9. When people ask you what you do for a living, what do you tell them?
         I tell them I help people with their financial health. I tell them I work for a phenomenal organization that cares about people and my job is to try to make their day to day financial decisions easier.
      10. What technology could you not live without?
          You got me on that one. I love technology because of how easy it makes it for me to connect with my loved ones and friends. However, I hate how every time I look over at the car, or booth next to me, people are on technology instead of talking to each other. Relationships people! It means actually talking and looking at each other.
      11. Who inspires you?
          Wow, so many people. My awesome mom, quiet but a rock. My little busy body “abuelita” who I get all my energy from. Anybody who has the courage to speak up, do what they have a passion for, fight for those who don’t have a voice, the list goes on.
      12. What is your proudest accomplishment?
          I’m not there yet, I feel like my best is still yet to come.
      13. If you couldn’t live in Austin, where would you want to live?
          That’s a tough one, I love Austin. I would live in Florida somewhere, the Cuban food is AMAZING.
      14. I want to learn how to…?
          I want to learn how to play the piano
      15. Pick:
          Soup or Salad? Salad
          Indoors or Outdoors?  Outdoors all the way!
          Winter or Summer?  Both
          Tea or Coffee? Coffee
          Mountains or Beach? Beach baby
          
      16. Favorite Drink?
          Prosecco