Making a Buck to Make a Difference: Creating Purpose-Driven Capital
We’re pleased to present this month’s episode of Leadership Reimagined, featuring Martin Cabrera, Jr., Founder and CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets, one of the largest Hispanic-owned financial firms in the United States, serving more than 800 corporate and municipal clients and committed to expanding opportunity for marginalized communities. A self-made financial leader who overcame poverty and discrimination, Martin shares how he built Cabrera Capital from modest personal savings into a firm that has underwritten more than $1.8 trillion in debt and equity and trades nearly $2.2 billion in securities each day – and why he believes success only matters if it creates opportunity for others. Reflecting on his mission, he says: “Yes, we can make money. A lot of people can do that. But we’re really focused on both doing well and doing good.”
Don’t miss this powerful conversation on how entrepreneurial grit, resilience, and “Latino work ethic” helped build a transformative financial platform, and how Martin’s using that platform to make a difference through financial literacy partnerships with schools and investments in affordable housing and community development.
After founding Cabrera Capital in 2001, Martin spearheaded its growth into a leading investment bank, institutional brokerage, and real estate development firm serving global corporations, pension funds, private equity firms, and municipalities. Today, Cabrera Capital issues over $119 billion in domestic equity and over $48 billion in international equity (2021-2024), and its real estate firm aims to develop 10,000 units in 10 markets over the next five years. Martin has earned numerous honors over his more than 23 years leading Cabrera Capital, including, most recently, the 2025 Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award, recognizing leaders committed to social change, equity, justice, and human rights. He was also named a 2024 Notable Latino Leader by Crain’s Chicago Business and received the 2023 Global Citizen Award from World Business Chicago, among other business leadership accolades.
Please enjoy this episode of Leadership Reimagined, featuring Martin Cabrera, Jr., Founder and CEO of Cabrera Capital Markets and a champion for purpose-driven capital.