Along the way, people have shown me kindness and opened doors through which it would have been unlikely for me to push through alone. From teachers and parents of friends who invested in me, to bosses, mentors, and colleagues who took the time to teach, challenge, and encourage me — I’ve been surrounded by people who believed in my potential before I fully did myself. Their support has been the steady current beneath every stage of my journey.

I've called Edinburgh, Scotland, home for the past five years (since Covid's peak weirdness), but my roots trace back to Houston, Texas. I grew up in Houston, raised by my mother, Carmen Dumayas Duque Robicheaux (1954-2014), and my sister Pamela, after my father Ricardo passed away when I was five years old. My mother often worked multiple jobs to make sure my sister and I had access to opportunities — from private school to the activities that helped shape our passions and character. Her sacrifices, determination, and love made me who I am today; without her, my life would have looked very different. I also carry immense gratitude for my extended family, friends and their families, teams and clubs, and the teachers and coaches who surrounded me during those years. They provided encouragement, guidance, and stability at moments when I needed it most, and their influence echoes in my life and work.

I also spent formative years in and around Boston, Massachusetts, which became a second home through both study, work, and my early family life. Today, while Edinburgh is now home to my family and me, I still travel regularly to the United States — currently a couple of times a month on average over the past handful of years — to meet with clients, reconnect with colleagues and friends, and unlock market opportunities on behalf of Pearl Heath. 

My experiences have shaped not only who I am, but how I work. I try to pay forward the mentorship and encouragement I’ve received by investing in others and creating space for people to learn, grow, and thrive. Living between cultures and traveling often has also given me a perspective I carry into leadership: an openness to different ways of thinking, a respect for diverse voices, and a belief that growth comes from building together.