
Building Rosca: Latino Money Circles in a Modern App with Cindy Chavez Swenson
From Cafe con Pam by Pam Covarrubias
March 8, 2026 · 1h 17m · Episode 453
About this episode
Pam Covarrubias interviews Cindy Chavez Swenson about her journey as a Mexican-American PhD and the creation of the Rosca app for Latino communities.
This week on Cafe con Pam, Pam sits down with the incredible Cindy Chavez Swenson—a Mexican-American PhD, educator, and founder behind the Rosca app. They dive into Cindy’s journey growing up as the child of Mexican immigrants, what it’s like being overlooked (and underestimated) in both academia and tech, and how her family’s values inspired her to create a fintech app that actually serves Latino communities. From stories about the original “Reading Olympics” snub to the power of gathering—for money, time, and support—Cindy is refreshingly real about the highs, lows, and everything in between. You’ll walk away fired up and ready to start your own tanda! Thank you to Savvy Ladies for supporting Cafe con Pam. Savvy Ladies is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women take control of their financial future. Check out their free financial helpline at savvyladies.org Check out BMO here Do you want to support our show and get ad-free episodes? Join our Supporters Club here . Follow Cindy on all things social: Instagram Follow Cafe con Pam on all things social: Querida Yo The Unmuted Era Discover your Ikigai Get on the waitlist for Un Verano con Self Love Instagram Facebook…
People in this episode
Host: Pam Covarrubias
Guest: Cindy Chavez Swenson
Topics covered
- Latino communities
- fintech
- money circles
- immigrant experience
- education
- support networks
Keywords
- Rosca app
- Cindy Chavez Swenson
- Latino money circles
- fintech
- Mexican-American
- immigrant values
- support networks
- financial future
Sponsors
Savvy Ladies
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BMO, Rosca
Places: Mexico
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