From being born during Chile’s military coup on one side of the planet to a master’s degree and flourishing life on the other, Jeannette Vergara is the embodiment of the Canadian dream.
Born in Chile, Vergara came to Canada in 2000 to pursue her studies and learn English in a completely foreign setting where few things felt recognizable.
But what she’s accomplished over two decades since serves as a blueprint of hope for any new Canadian: a new language learned, two majors along with a master’s degree, a thriving family and career, and a newfound sense of community.
Now a partner with Manning Elliott Vancouver, Vergara is sharing her story to empower women and immigrants from all backgrounds – to let them know that taking the difficult road less travelled need not be a detour.
“I think people who come here as immigrants have had difficult lives sometimes, so whether you want to or not, you have to have some resilience,” Vergara says. “It’s difficult when you’re a kid, but you realize it builds a desire to be better and to do better for yourself and for your family.”
Upon her arrival in Canada, Vergara had to take several steps backward before making progress. She had to retake high school classes she had already completed in Chile, and her post-secondary degree wasn't recognized here. All the while, she was learning English and adapting to new social norms.
Her educational journey in Vancouver involved stops at nearly every post-secondary institution in the area. This included attending UBC to enhance her academic and business English skills, Vancouver Community College to redo grades 10-12, and Langara College and SFU to pursue her business major. Vergara's educational path ultimately led to her earning a Master of Professional Accounting in 2010 and achieving her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 2012.
Sure, there were bad days and non-stop learning on the fly, whether it be scholastically or in a cultural context. And if frustration set in, Vergara would recalibrate, reset and be reminded of her goals.
“Some days you come home and you realize you’ve had a bad day – but that’s ok,” Vergara says. “Bad days are ok and I’ve had many of those. You have to focus on your objectives.”
Having arrived at Manning Elliott in August 2022, Vergara is now the first female and minority partner in the Firm’s public company assurance group. She’s also one of the rare examples of having public practice, industry and regulatory experience in her field.
But much like an athlete who is breaking records and setting new standards mid-career, Vergara is too focused on the present to stop and smell the flowers – at least not yet.
“It’s hard to conceptualize the significance of this honour because you’re in the midst of doing your job, you’re busy with family and being a mom and wife, an employee and a community member,” Vergara says. “Perhaps when I retire, I can reflect on these achievements more.”
And while finding community was a challenge upon her arrival, Vergara now has that tangible link to home through her involvement with the Latin American cultural group known as Latincouver.
And because October is Latin American Heritage Month in Canada, Vergara and her community will be celebrating, reflecting and paying forward that welcoming feeling to anyone new to Canada.
“This month was really about reflecting on the contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make to Canada not just from Latin America, but all immigrants that come to Canada and make this country their home,” Vergara says.
