FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, August 22, 2024 - Mayra Barragan has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Upon earning a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Finance and Marketing from the University of Miami in 2002, Ms. Barragan began her professional career as a commercial banker for HSBC Bank. She was admitted to the highly competitive Executive Development Training Programme at their US and UK Group headquarters, rotating through various departments. Four years later, she transferred her growing skillset to Ernst & Young, where she served as a Senior Audit (and later, forensics) Associate while completing a Master of Science in Accounting through the University of Virginia, sponsored by EY. Ms. Barragan later gained valuable internal audit experience from Bupa Worldwide Corporation, focusing instead on the operational audit side of the business. Although she had dedicated a large portion of her career to banking and accounting, she found that it wasn't the right fit for her and something was missing. Her journey took an unexpected turn when Ms. Barragan embarked on a two-year solo worldwide backpacking trip, including teaching English in South Korea at a private school. Although an exciting two years, it did not present her with the answers she was seeking regarding her true calling. This unique journey has, however, shaped her into the accomplished professional she is today, given the diverse experiences and perspectives she gained throughout the trip.

Upon returning to New York, Ms. Barragan encountered difficulty in the job search from recruiters due to her two-year career break. Despite the roadblocks, she was able to apply her previous expertise in accounting and found success as a Recruiting Director of the Finance and Accounting Division for Henderson Harbor Group. CFOs trusted the credibility of her Big 4 accounting background and candidates liked working with someone who has previously sat in their seat. Driven to go into business for herself, she established Launch Ventures, LLC in 2020, just one month before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Though she faced significant adversity, her business not only survived but thrived, eventually relocating to Florida, which allowed her to be closer to her family. As Founder and Managing Director of Launch, a certified woman and minority-owned recruiting firm, Ms. Barragan specializes in finance and accounting placements across all industries.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Ms. Barragan is affiliated with several networking groups, including The Galway Group, MiamiMan and The Daily Drip. However, one of her most significant contributions to-date is serving as President of Sprouting Scholars, a 501c-3 non-profit organization she founded to educate children in need who otherwise would not have had access to education, specifically in Cambodia and Peru. From 2008 until 2018, she dedicated herself to this cause, ensuring that the organization made a meaningful impact on the lives of the children it served.

While her career has been filled with highlights, she takes the most pride in taking time off to explore the world because there's never a "right time" to do it, and the experiences, people and lessons encountered on the road have become invaluable to her personal and professional life. Travel has taught her to broaden her perspective, given her the confidence to speak with people from all walks of life and helped her foster lasting personal and professional connections worldwide.

Though hard work and dedication have brought her far in her career, Ms. Barragan credits her success to remaining authentic in all she does, finding her own voice in how she manages her business, and being genuine in all interactions with clients.

Within the coming years, she intends to meet her financial goals before the "typical" retirement age, so she can start on the second act of her life. Her ultimate goal is to relocate overseas, possibly to Portugal, to focus on learning for the sheer enjoyment of it. Ms. Barragan has a considerable interest in archaeology and ancient history, so moving overseas would allow her to pursue education in those areas without the constraints of time or finances, a testament to her lifelong passion for learning.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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