Carlos Cantor is proud to be one of the first graduating classes of Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) Scholars. Growing up in Denver, he attended John F. Kennedy High School (JFK) before pursuing a degree in economics with a minor in spanish for the professions at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder). Carlos relied on the support he received from DSF and remains deeply committed to paying it forward by investing in future generations of Denver students, ensuring they can access the same opportunities he did.
When Carlos graduated from JFK third in his class, he valued the pivotal guidance and support provided by the DSF Future Center at JFK helping him with the transition from high school to college, helping him navigate the complexities of college applications and connecting him to essential scholarships that made attending CU Boulder financially accessible. In addition, with the help of his DSF Campus Contact and in order to main eligibility for the DSF Scholarship he connected with essential resources on campus like the TRiO Student Support Services. As a first-generation college student, this support was invaluable not only for Carlos but also for his family. Carlos paved the way for his younger brother, who followed in his footsteps by also becoming a DSF Scholar, graduating from JFK and later CU Boulder.
Carlos and his brother Giovanni
Reflecting on his college experience, Carlos emphasizes the consistent presence of DSF as a source of support. Looking back, he acknowledges that he could have taken greater advantage of the networking opportunities available, a resource he now encourages current DSF Scholars and Alumni to fully utilize and rely on the DSF community as their network.
After graduating from CU Boulder, Carlos began his career in finance. With the help of a friend who is casually also involved in DSF as an Associate Board Member, he started as a bilingual teller and steadily advanced over five years to the role of operations manager. He then transitioned to other financial institutions continuing to add to his expertise. With a passion for helping others, he went on his own as an independent broker. Today, Carlos specializes in assisting individuals and families both in English and Spanish in accessing important financial resources to help them buy their homes, including their first homes.
Carlos’s journey embodies the spirit of giving back. He actively supports DSF in ensuring that future students have access to the same resources that shaped his own success. For Carlos, education represents the key to economic prosperity and opportunity.
To current DSF Scholars, Carlos offers simple but powerful advice: “Take full advantage of the networking opportunities DSF provides and don’t be afraid to ask for help. These resources are designed to help students overcome barriers and unlock their potential.”
Through his career and ongoing contributions to DSF and the Denver community, Carlos exemplifies how the accessibility of resources and financial support can create a ripple effect of success that continues with generations to come.
