También puedes leer este artículo en español, Geovanny Sarmiento, el Guardián de la Inclusión.

Geovanny Sarmiento was born in Cuenca, a city in the Ecuadorian highlands that is older than any American city. A Castilian city, without skyscrapers, with narrow streets that Geovanny and his brothers traveled by bicycle. The Andes are not far away, the sky is clear, his father was prosperous, and his mother was generous. The parents did not go to college, but their children did.

Geovanny graduated as a Business Engineer and, in his third year in school, he met a tourist from Wisconsin who became his wife. At the age of 24, Geovanny arrived in the United States.

He had to perfect his English and start at the bottom before taking higher positions in banks. Along the way, he became a father to his daughter Zolía, who is about to start university, and Viviana, 10, a bright and compassionate girl with Down syndrome. From 2015 to 2019 the family lived in Mexico City and Santiago de Chile due to his wife's work. Generous people opened their doors to them, and the girls perfected their Spanish, he recalls.

Geovanny has been a member of the Rogers and Lowell Chamber of Commerce staff since 2011. He is now Senior Vice President of Community Engagement and Inclusion. “Inclusion and equity in everything we offer both at the Chamber of Commerce and in the City of Rogers are my priority,”  he says. The Chamber of Commerce has the mission of "being influencers, catalysts and conveners, the reliable source to grow businesses, activate leaders and build community" and with this mission in mind is that I help entrepreneurs to develop, start and grow their businesses. They are the engine of our community since their enterprises help stimulate the economy and generate sources of employment that are essential for efficient social development”.

There is always a lot to do, but the strength and energy to move forward is always latent when the focus is on community benefit,” he says.