09/23/2026
At Silverstein Properties, we are proud to recognize and celebrate the diverse experiences, cultures, and perspectives that make our workplace stronger. To kick off our spotlight series, we are pleased to introduce Jayro Guerra, Senior Investment Accountant, who joined us in October 2025. Learn more about Jayro, his journey, and the experiences that have shaped him both personally and professionally.
❓ Can you tell us about your cultural background and heritage?
🔵 I am the first person in my family to be born in the United States, but my family's roots are in Colón, Honduras, where I spent much of my early childhood. When I was 6 years old, we moved back to the United States, and I had to adapt to a completely new environment, learn English, and navigate a culture that was very different from the one I knew. As I adjusted to life in the U.S., I learned to balance two worlds. I spoke English at school and Spanish at home, which helped me stay connected to my Honduran heritage while embracing new opportunities and experiences. Although it wasn't always easy, growing up between two cultures taught me resilience, adaptability, and the ability to see things from different perspectives.
I attended Hunter College, where I majored in Accounting and minored in Economics. As a first-generation student, I often found myself charting my own path through college and into the professional world. That experience taught me to be resourceful and to push myself beyond my comfort zone, ultimately inspiring me to pursue CPA licensure. Balancing college, two jobs, and CPA exam preparation was one of the greatest challenges of my academic journey, but I remained committed to my goal and passed all four sections of the CPA exam within eight months, dedicating nearly every free moment to studying.
❓What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
🔵 Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic communities. To me, it is especially meaningful because it helps bring visibility to a group of people whose stories, achievements, and experiences are not always highlighted. It's a time to honor the resilience and sacrifices of previous generations while also recognizing the impact Hispanics continue to make in their communities and workplaces.
The month gives me an opportunity to reflect on my roots, celebrate the traditions and values that shaped me, and share those aspects of my culture with others. I see it as a chance to foster understanding, appreciation, and connection across different backgrounds while embracing what makes our Hispanic communities unique.
❓ How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your personal and professional journey?
🔵 My Hispanic heritage has had a significant impact on both my personal and professional journey. As the child of immigrant parents, I did not always have a roadmap for navigating higher education or the professional world, so much of that journey involved figuring things out on my own. My parents’ example gave me the confidence and determination to keep moving forward, even when things felt overwhelming. Watching them leave their home country and build a new life in the United States taught me the value of resilience, sacrifice, and perseverance. Their hard work showed me that even the greatest obstacles can be overcome. Professionally, these lessons have shaped my resilience, work ethic, and adaptability, teaching me to embrace opportunities, persevere through challenges, and see setbacks as opportunities for growth.
❓ What impact do you hope to make within your community and your industry?
🔵 I hope to encourage and mentor those who may be navigating unfamiliar paths, whether that's pursuing higher education, building a career, or overcoming personal challenges. I want to continue growing in my career while also supporting and developing those around me. I believe that diverse perspectives make teams stronger, and I hope to help foster an environment where people from all backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and empowered.
Most importantly, I hope to honor the sacrifices my parents made by making the most of the opportunities they worked so hard to provide.
