By: Marisa Nicely, Chief Operating Officer
My name is Maria Isabel Farinacci Musgrave, but most of you know me as Marisa Nicely. I’m proud to be a Latina and the Chief Operating Officer of Starfish Family Services. Today, I’d like to share a bit about my journey—from being an ESL student to becoming a leader at Starfish. It’s a story of identity, resilience, and the power of embracing one’s heritage.
Celebrating National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month
National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month is a time to honor the rich traditions, diverse cultures, and lasting contributions of Latinx individuals in the U.S. This month, I want to offer a glimpse into my personal journey as a Puerto Rican woman navigating leadership and how my heritage has shaped who I am today.
Embracing Two Worlds
Moving to the U.S. as a young Puerto Rican came with its fair share of challenges and opportunities. I found myself walking a tightrope between two cultures—my Puerto Rican roots and the customs of my new home.
Until the age of 8, I lived in Puerto Rico, surrounded by my parents and extended family. My heritage is a beautiful mix of Spanish colonists, Corsican immigrants, and Indigenous people. My maternal grandfather, who was American, met my Puerto Rican grandmother at the University of Chicago, and they later made their home in Puerto Rico.
In 1980, when my parents divorced, my mother made the difficult decision to move us to the U.S. to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. My sister and I were just 6 and 8 years old when we left everything we knew behind to start a new life in Kentucky, where my mother attended medical school. It was a tough transition. Suddenly, we were in a foreign world without the comfort and support of our extended family. We spent the school year in Kentucky and holidays and summers in Puerto Rico, caught between two worlds.
Learning a new language, culture, and expectations wasn’t a matter of curiosity—it was survival. This experience gave me a deep understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of adapting to new environments. My name, Maria Isabel Farinacci Musgrave, which reflects both of my parent’s surnames (a common practice in Latin cultures), became a point of confusion for my new teachers and classmates. The nicknames “Mari” and “Marisita,” given to me by my family, eventually morphed into “Marisa.” And that’s how Marisa Farinacci, now Nicely, came to be.
My Journey at Starfish
Fast forward to 1999, after two years of interning with Starfish as a student from the University of Michigan School of Social Work, I accepted a position as a home-based therapist. I still vividly remember the feedback I received from my hiring supervisor: “Your hair is too long and curly, and you talk too fast.”
That feedback stung. It made me feel like I had to change who I was, how I looked, and how I spoke. I felt I had no choice at the time, so I conformed. I cut my hair, worked on my accent, and tried to blend in.
Twenty-seven years later, we’re not where we want to be, but things have changed. Today, as a leader at Starfish, I am committed to ensuring that everyone can show up as their authentic selves. I wear my hair long and curly; I proudly wear my hoop earrings and some days, I slip back into speaking fast as I did as a child. I want my team to feel that they, too, can be their authentic selves at work. This is personal to me.
The Influence of Latin Heritage on Leadership
My Puerto Rican heritage has profoundly shaped my leadership style, infusing it with warmth, passion, and a strong sense of community. Family, camaraderie, and inclusivity are core values in Latinx culture, and they have guided me as I work to build supportive, close-knit teams.
Leadership in Latin culture also places high importance on tradition, storytelling, and honoring the past. These values have enriched my ability to inspire and connect with others. As I’ve grown as a leader, I’ve realized that my heritage has given me the foundation for servant leadership—leading with compassion, empowering others, and creating spaces where all voices are heard.
I strive to embody leadership principles that reflect the best of Latinx culture by fostering an environment of shared ownership, transparency, and open communication.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve come to understand that true leadership is about acknowledging the past, embracing the present, and working toward a more inclusive future. National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month isn’t just a time to celebrate our culture; it’s an opportunity to recognize the unique perspectives Latinx individuals bring to leadership.
As I look to the future, I am committed to leading authentically, drawing strength from my roots, and celebrating the rich tapestry of Latin American heritage.
Thank you for joining me on this reflective journey. I invite you to celebrate National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month with us and recognize our heritage’s transformative power in shaping our leadership stories.
For more on National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month, please follow our social media for highlights on exceptional Starfish Staff who make a difference every day, all month.