Judith Baca

Senior Credit Card Specialist

When Judith Baca was twelve years old, she moved from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico to Los Angeles to live with her dad. The adjustment was tough in the beginning – she called her dad her first day of middle school, crying to come home because she couldn't understand what anyone was saying. But she soon found her rhythm, quickly learning English, embracing the sunny city and eventually becoming an American citizen, like her four children.

Though her kids were born in America, Baca pushes them to hold onto their Mexican heritage. “I only speak to them in Spanish at home and if they reply in English I pretend I don't understand, because if they grow up without knowing our language, how will they understand our culture?," she says. "If I don't teach them about where they've come from, who will?"

What does success look like to you?

I've always been the type of person who likes to help people, especially if I'm knowledgeable on the subject. So sharing my knowledge definitely helps me to feel successful.

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?

My kids. I'm a single mom of four kids: my daughter is 15, my oldest boy is 13, my other boy is 11, and my baby is seven. They inspire me to not give up. Because of them, I keep going and keep growing and keep taking opportunities in my job so that they can see that I am growing as a person and as a professional, so that they can have some type of a model to follow.

What do you consider the most valuable piece of advice you've ever received and where did it come from?

A friend told me never to give up. She told me to believe in myself and to believe that even though I am a single mother, I can still accomplish my goals. That's what got to me and I started believing in myself.

What is the biggest obstacle you've overcome in life?

Purchasing my home. That was something that I never thought could be possible for me, and last year I was able to do it for my kids and myself. It's my first time owning a home, and I made it happen the same year that I threw my daughter a quinceañera, which is a very important party in Mexican culture when a daughter turns 15. I had to do it all on my own, this very expensive event, and make sure everything was perfect that day with the pictures, the music, the food, the hundreds of people.

My daughter was so thrilled. That was something I am so proud of. It's been a year now and I still can't believe it. It's been an amazing feeling and that's why now that I know what it's like to purchase a home and what an accomplishment it is.

Work-from-home, go to the office or a mix of both?

I like both, but right now, with this pandemic, I am just so thankful to be able to work from home so that we can be safe, especially because my youngest child is high risk. But I say 'both' because going to the office, getting to get out of the house and interact with colleagues, and my manager, that's something that in life I need as well. I do miss going to the office.