Transforming Experience into Community Action Nicolas Mosaquites
When Nicolas Mosaquites began his career as a Financial Advisor at a large investment management firm in August 2007, he was 30 years old. His morning alarm would jolt him awake at 3:30 a.m. and the cold embrace of the moonlight became a familiar companion.
Paid primarily on commission, Mosaquites earned a little more than the minimum wage, $7.50 at the time. The high cost of parking in Downtown Los Angeles, a luxury he could not afford, meant sacrificing sleep to secure parking at the Pasadena Metrolink station near his apartment and board the train to arrive at his downtown office by 5:00 a.m.
Additionally, he was given a 90-day deadline to pass his Series 7 securities exam or face termination. To make matters worse, shortly after he started his job, the housing crisis began, leading to the most severe worldwide economic crisis since the Great Depression. Mosaquites worked 63 consecutive weekends, hearing rejection after rejection once potential clients learned he was new to the business.
“I was tempted to quit for sure,” Mosaquites said. “Especially when it was really cold, and it was late at night and I had to walk all these blocks. But you know, I just figured that it was probably hard because it was worth it.”
On the advice of a UCLA surgeon, Mosaquites left his previous job of 10 years as a virology sales specialist selling surgical instruments to hepatologists specializing in liver transplants.
“A client of mine said… that I should do something where people trusted me,” Mosaquites said. “Something related to investment management. And I said, well, what do you mean?”
Mosaquites grew up solidly middle-class in Montclair. His mother, a nurse, and his father, a logistics warehouse supervisor, didn’t really discuss finances. However, after researching investment management, Mosaquites found it interesting and made the decisive yet difficult career shift.
By 2009, things began to improve. Mosaquites could now afford parking, which meant no more 3:30 a.m. wake-ups. He credits his strong work ethic, high pain tolerance and, most importantly, his work environment for helping him endure.
“People would see me in the office and be like, ‘Hey man, I know it sucks right now,’” Mosaquites said. “And you know what, people here and there would help me.”
He kept learning the business, and in 2013, he became a Senior Private Client Advisor for City National Bank. In 2015, he joined Northern Trust as a Senior Wealth Strategist. In 2019, he joined U.S. Bank as a Private Wealth Advisor and he’s been there ever since.
“There are three components of the business,” Mosaquites said. “Investment, banking, and tax and trust advice. And, well, wouldn’t you know it, having my career unfold in that way prepared me for the job I have at U.S. Bank today.”
Deeply thankful for the career guidance he received, Mosaquites channels his gratitude into philanthropic initiatives that create opportunities and provide resources for Black and Hispanic-Latino communities. His advocacy caught the attention of Adventist Health White Memorial Charitable Foundation board member George Ramirez, who recommended him for board service.
Upon touring Adventist Health White Memorial, Mosaquites immediately felt a strong pull to contribute, sensing the profound difference he could make there. He was particularly impressed with the community resource center.
“What really struck me was the program that we have at the hospital focused on community outreach and helping people in the community understand what services are available to them at White Memorial and then more broadly within the healthcare ecosystem,” Mosaquites said. “People just show up there, and you have a group who want to help. That’s awesome. I’m like, sign me up for that.”
Mosaquites joined the board in February. As a board member, he hopes to build on U.S. Bank’s strong culture of philanthropy.
“I feel fortunate to be in a position to serve and partner with an organization like White Memorial that is passionate about the well-being of a community within and outside of the hospital. Working at a company that supports this philosophy puts me in a wonderful position to serve – I look forward to the things we will be able to accomplish together.”
Those dark mornings and frigid nights early in Mosaquites’ career taught him that where there’s a will, there’s a way. He experienced firsthand the power of being in a positive environment and felt supported by generous mentors. Now focused on enhancing community access to healthcare, he is determined to transform his insights into actionable, positive change.
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We hope Nicolas Mosaquites’ story inspired you and invite you to join us in making a difference. Whether you’re interested in volunteering, contributing or learning more about our initiatives at Adventist Health White Memorial, your involvement can have a profound impact. Visit our contact page here to learn how you can help create positive change and provide essential support to those on their health journey.