Coach Rivera has mentored over 40 youth through the HIM Leadership Network, helping them chart paths to ownership.
When Carlos Rivera retired from a 25-year career in commercial real estate, he didn’t plan on becoming one of the most impactful mentors in the HIM Leadership Network. But that’s exactly what happened.
Over the past three years, Coach Rivera — as the youth call him — has mentored more than 40 young people through the program. His approach combines tough love with genuine care, pushing participants to think bigger while supporting them through every challenge.
“I tell every young person the same thing on day one,” Rivera says. “You are capable of owning property. You are capable of building wealth. The only question is whether you’re willing to do the work to get there.”
Rivera’s mentoring sessions cover everything from career planning and financial literacy to personal development and leadership skills. But his most powerful tool is his own story — growing up in a low-income household, working his way through school, and eventually building a successful career in real estate.
“Coach Rivera doesn’t just tell you what’s possible,” says mentee Jasmine Torres, now 21 and working toward her real estate license. “He shows you. He’s proof that where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish.”
Several of Rivera’s mentees have gone on to pursue careers in real estate, construction, and community development. Five have purchased their first properties. All of them credit Rivera’s guidance as a turning point in their lives.
“The best part of my career wasn’t the deals I closed,” Rivera reflects. “It’s watching these young people realize they can close deals of their own. That’s the real legacy.”
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