For Lorenzo Cancel, success has never been about reaching the top alone性视界传媒攊t性视界传媒檚 about bringing others with him.

Born and raised in El Centro to a first-generation, low-income family, Cancel became the first person in his extended family to attend a four-year university. Today, at just 27 years old, he works as a financial analyst at Apple in Silicon Valley, supporting the company性视界传媒檚 Infrastructure Services Finance team. But while his career in Big Tech is impressive, it性视界传媒檚 only part of his story.

Cancel is also a career and education coach, public speaker, and nonprofit leader whose mission is to uplift students from communities like the one he grew up in. Through his organization, Driven Academics, and its nonprofit branch, the Driven Education Foundation, Cancel has mentored more than 100 students and impacted over 1,000 individuals through workshops focused on mindset, identity, success psychology, and personal growth.

性视界传媒淚 believe success isn't just about individual growth,性视界传媒 Cancel said. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 about helping others grow alongside you.性视界传媒

A journey of hard work, ambition

Cancel性视界传媒檚 road to Apple began at UC Berkeley, where he earned a degree in economics. While navigating college life, he interned with companies like Deloitte and Carta, gaining exposure to finance and sparking a passion for the field.

性视界传媒淚性视界传媒檝e always loved numbers, but finance was more than that,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 about optimizing for the future性视界传媒攚hether that性视界传媒檚 maximizing efficiency, improving customer experience, or helping a business grow.性视界传媒

His drive landed him a highly competitive internship with Apple, which turned into a full-time role after graduation. Cancel entered Apple性视界传媒檚 Finance Development Program, rotating through five branches of Apple性视界传媒檚 corporate finance division性视界传媒攆rom R&D to sales and operations性视界传媒攂efore settling into his current role in infrastructure finance.

Behind the scenes

In his day-to-day role, Cancel helps manage the financial strategy behind the massive data centers and networks that power services like iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple TV.

性视界传媒淎nytime you stream a song, download an app, or back up your phone, you性视界传媒檙e relying on the infrastructure my team supports,性视界传媒 Cancel explained. 性视界传媒淢y job is to partner with engineers and leaders to ensure we性视界传媒檙e making the right financial decisions to support Apple性视界传媒檚 global operations.性视界传媒

But what stands out most to Cancel about Apple isn性视界传媒檛 just the scale of its work性视界传媒攊t性视界传媒檚 the company性视界传媒檚 relentless commitment to excellence.

性视界传媒淎pple isn性视界传媒檛 always first to launch a product,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淏ut when we do, it性视界传媒檚 about being the best性视界传媒攆ocusing on quality, the customer experience, and doing it right. That mindset of excellence is something I carry into everything I do.性视界传媒

A mission beyond himself

Outside of Apple, Cancel性视界传媒檚 passion for service runs deep. He co-founded Driven Academics, an educational organization that supports students性视界传媒攑articularly those who are first-generation, low-income, or from underrepresented backgrounds性视界传媒攚ith mentorship, college admissions guidance, and career development.

Since 2018, Driven Academics has helped students gain acceptance to elite universities like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Oxford, and top UC and CSU campuses. The nonprofit side of the organization has provided free mentorship and donated 17 vehicles to low-income families.

Cancel also leads personal development workshops at universities, high schools, and companies, including Apple. His workshops tackle topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, mastering networking, public speaking, resume building, and even redefining happiness and success.

性视界传媒淎t the heart of what I teach is mindset,性视界传媒 Cancel said. 性视界传媒淏elieving in yourself, cultivating self-awareness, and understanding that intelligence and success are not fixed性视界传媒攖hey性视界传媒檙e skills you can grow.性视界传媒

Big tech, family, and philanthropy

Cancel性视界传媒檚 life is a careful balance of professional growth and personal fulfillment. Alongside his role at Apple and his nonprofit work, he also manages real estate projects in the U.S. and Mexico. Yet, despite the demands of his career, family remains a top priority.

性视界传媒淚性视界传媒檓 the oldest of four boys, and my family is everything,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚 make it a point to show up for birthdays, graduations, holidays, and the little moments, too.性视界传媒

He credits his ability to manage it all to prioritizing rest, fitness, and mental health.

性视界传媒淪leep, exercise, nutrition, and mindfulness are the foundation,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚f I take care of myself, I can take care of others.性视界传媒

Success in his own terms

When asked what success means to him now, Cancel pauses before answering.

性视界传媒淪uccess is being the best version of myself性视界传媒攏ot just for my career, but for my family, my community, and my own well-being,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淚t性视界传媒檚 about growing, helping others grow, and living a life that feels fulfilling.性视界传媒

Cancel hopes his story sends a message to young people growing up in the Imperial Valley.

性视界传媒淏elieve in yourself性视界传媒攁nd believe sooner than I did,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淵ou belong in any room, any university, any company. The only limits are the ones you accept.性视界传媒

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