In just one year, Jorge Soberón-Hernández and his team at Arvest Bank led more than 170 financial literacy classes in Kansas City, helping hundreds of people gain the financial knowledge they need to secure a better future. But for Jorge, this is just the beginning of his commitment to uplifting underserved communities.

With his drive and sense of purpose, it’s no wonder The Independent named Jorge as a member of its 2024 Class of Rising Stars. From his early days at the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, to his career at Arvest Bank, Jorge is an advocate for those who need it most, particularly within the Hispanic and immigrant communities.

Jorge’s motivation to serve these communities began with his upbringing in Mexico City, where his parents instilled a sense of responsibility to help others. “My parents always told me that my responsibility in the future was to give back to those who were never as lucky as I was,” he said. “That’s been my main motivator.”

This sense of responsibility led Jorge to an early career at the Consulate of Mexico in Kansas City, where he supported Mexican nationals by connecting them with critical services such as legal assistance and immigration guidance. This work strengthened his passion for community development and advocacy. “It really hit me how much help they need, and you start discovering it’s not just the Mexican immigration, but all immigrants from Latin America who’ve made Kansas City their home,” Jorge said.

After several years at the consulate, Jorge had the chance to take the foreign service exam and pursue a diplomatic career. Meanwhile, his wife, April, was advancing in her education career. Jorge realized the frequent relocations required by foreign service would interrupt April’s career growth. Though she was ready to put her career on hold to support him, Jorge said he couldn’t let his wife sacrifice her progress.

This led him to reinvent his career. After moving on from the consulate, Jorge spent five years working in international commerce with a Kansas City-based company. Yet, something was missing. “I told my wife, ‘I think I need another career change. I need to go back to my roots,’” Jorge said.

As fate would have it, he reconnected with Raúl Durán, a former colleague from the consulate who was teaching financial literacy at Arvest Bank. Jorge asked for Raúl’s career advice and expressed his interest in a role incorporating community service. Coincidentally, Arvest was looking to fill a community development role and Raúl encouraged Jorge to apply. Jorge now serves as senior vice president of community development at Arvest Bank. In his role, he leads initiatives that support low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities. 

Each year, Jorge and his team deliver upwards of 170 financial literacy classes in English and Spanish. These classes cover budgeting, credit management, debt reduction, and the basics of banking products like checking accounts and savings plans. They also provide more advanced lessons on wealth-building strategies, including investments and long-term financial planning. With the help of Jorge and his team, those in underserved communities are gaining financial know-how and learning to make informed decisions that improve their long-term stability.

Meanwhile, Jorge’s impact goes beyond financial literacy. He has served on the boards of the UMKC – Banking Leaders of Tomorrow, El Centro, and the Central Avenue Betterment Association, among others. Tamara L. Falicov, University of Missouri–Kansas City, praised Jorge’s commitment to serving the LMI community, “Jorge’s work with Arvest Bank in serving the LMI community is impactful and inspiring,” she said. “I’ve seen firsthand how dedicated he is to making a real difference in the lives of underserved populations.”

One of Jorge’s greatest passions is youth education. “If we’re not helping our students with their educational process, we’re doing a disservice to our society’s future,” he said. One education initiative close to Jorge’s heart is the Hispanic Development Fund’s Cambio Para Cambio campaign — a fundraiser supporting scholarships for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. Jorge and his team sponsor the event, and he personally reads through student essays. “In those essays, you can see the struggles of immigrant students who are trying to have a good life, a good education,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jorge has previously partnered with Prep KC. During a semester, he and his team met weekly with students, guiding them through lessons on credit, budgeting, banking products, and wealth management. “By the end of the semester, some of these students understand credit and budgeting better than their parents,” Jorge said. “They now know how to manage their finances, not just for themselves but for their households.”

Jorge has also inspired a culture of volunteerism at Arvest Bank. Sara Swearingen, Junior Achievement of Greater Kansas City, praised his leadership. “He’s the epitome of a Rising Star,” she said. “Jorge not only volunteers consistently but also promotes opportunities to his colleagues, which has brought numerous volunteers to our organization.” Carlos Gomez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City, shares this sentiment, and noted, “Jorge is a true servant leader, always looking for solutions and never asking for anything in return. He’s passionate about teaching financial literacy to underserved communities, knowing that it’s a key to breaking poverty cycles.”

Looking to the future, Jorge aims to expand his team and increase his impact. His vision is to continue building bridges between financial institutions and underserved communities while equipping the next generation of leaders with the know-how and tools to succeed. One example of this is a recent financial literacy partnership with Della Lamb, an organization that supports refugees in Kansas City. “I want to have more impact,” Jorge said. “We need more people to help, and the more we do, the better.”

As Kansas City celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, Jorge’s recognition as a Rising Star is a well-deserved honor for a man who has devoted his life to uplifting others. We look forward to seeing what this inspiring leader accomplishes next.

Featured in the October 5th, 2024 issue of The Independent
By: Monica V. Reynolds