Cierra Desmaratti shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Cierra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now starts around 7:30 in the morning. I usually begin my day by studying for my actuarial exam, which I will be taking in November as part of my credentialing pathway with the Society of Actuaries. I review probability problems and go through my homemade math flashcards to keep all the formulas fresh in my mind. After my morning study session, I start my nine to five job as an actuarial analyst.
Once I log off work, I usually head to the study rooms in my building to study for another two or three hours. Later in the evening, I upload a TikTok video to maintain my personal brand as Cierra the Confidence Guru. After that, I make a simple dinner or eat something quick like pre-made chicken and vegetables.
Before bed, I like to wind down by reading. Right now, I am finishing the last book of the Throne of Glass series, Kingdom of Ash, which I try to read whenever I have quiet time before I fall asleep. My schedule is very full because I am balancing my full-time career, studying for a rigorous mathematical exam, and promoting my events for the Rising Visionaries Network, a community I founded for intellectuals in South Florida seeking authentic connection. It’s a busy season, but it’s also deeply fulfilling.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cierra Desmaratti, and I’m an actuarial analyst and the founder of The Rising Visionaries Network, a growing community for ambitious professionals across South Florida seeking genuine, intellectual connection. Alongside my analytical career, I’ve built a powerful social media brand as Cierra the Confidence Guru, where I empower people to elevate their confidence, attract aligned opportunities, and build authentic personal brands. My story and insights have been featured in Business Insider, The Financial Times, and on Harvard’s website, as well as locally in Voyage Miami and Shoutout Miami – so I’m honored to be returning for this feature. Through my Rising Visionaries Network, I collaborate with Miami businesses and host monthly events that bring together creatives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. We’ve previously partnered with the Twisted Tonic Rooftop, a stunning female-owned venue led by Miami native Kiki, a powerful and inspiring businesswoman. I frequently share highlights from these events across TikTok, Instagram, and the Meetup app to showcase the vibrant community we’re building. Whether I’m creating content that inspires, hosting events that spark transformation, or studying for my next actuarial exam, my mission is to blend intellect, purpose, and authenticity to help others step into their power.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I could see myself was my close friend Jen, who came into my life when I was 17 during a very difficult time for my family. She saw my potential long before I understood my own power or how my voice could one day shape change in the world. Jen became a true mother figure – someone who taught me that strength and softness can coexist, and that education and independence are among the most powerful gifts a woman can give herself. She helped me see that intellectual power is something no one can take away from you. Jen’s guidance inspired me to work relentlessly in college and beyond, and she instilled in me the belief that success means little if you don’t pay it forward. Her influence shaped my purpose as a leader, reminding me that creating safe, diverse spaces where people from all walks of life can connect and grow is one of the most meaningful ways to give back.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I decided in May 2025 to re-enter the exam pathway in my actuarial science career. Actuaries are professionals responsible for performing financial forecasting for companies, especially in the insurance field, to help prevent financial risk in the future. I like to think of us as financial psychics, eliminating and preventing any risk that comes up, because wherever there is great profit, there is also a lot of financial risk.
Actuaries take a series of exams during the first five to seven years of their career to earn certification from the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society. I have discussed my experiences in my global features in Business Insider and the Financial Times, including the challenges I faced at Deloitte. Those challenges were difficult and serious, but they ultimately led me to step into my power in a way I had never known before.
During my time at Deloitte, I did not pass the probability exam a few years ago. That moment created a lot of sadness, alienation, anger, and feelings of not being good enough. It led me to close the door on that path at the time. After talking with my trusted mentor and energy healer in May, I realized that those emotions had created a block or fear around the exam. Once I began facing those skeletons in my closet, I knew it was time to go back and conquer the test, just like when Rafiki told Simba it was time to return to the Pride Land and take his rightful place as leader.
I am now stepping into my power in a new way by sitting for the probability exam in November. I am committed to studying rigorously and building support systems for myself and my well-being, so I can reach a new level of success that I could not in the past.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I have been posting on social media, primarily TikTok, for almost three years now. In the beginning, I was not comfortable being on camera. I was navigating the awareness of wanting to build a following while also realizing that I would be perceived by strangers and by everyone who had ever known me, whether it was coworkers, former friends, or classmates.
The version of me that first started posting on social media was very different from the authentic and dynamic way I show up on my platforms now. At the time, I was still working at a Big Four firm and struggling with a lot of insecurities and challenges in my workplace. I was also living in Chicago, which did not resonate with me on a deep personal level. On top of that, I was surrounded by some girlfriends who did not value or respect me in the way I deserved. I think I had a lot of misaligned energies in my life that were affecting me on a personal level.
Now that I have been living in Miami for over a year, I have intentionally built both my life and my brand from the ground up by focusing on stepping into my authentic self. I found that TikTok became something that gave me a voice when I did not feel heard or seen. That led to me healing through posting, taking up space, and being visible, which allowed people to witness me stepping more into my authentic self. I still do that every day as I post.
I have also learned to diversify my content and show more sides of my personality. At one point, I felt like I was getting stuck only creating content about career, especially after the Deloitte article came out. I wanted to show that although I am a confident and sometimes provocative speaker who shares intellectual takes on corporate America, confidence, and societal observations, I am also a fun, bubbly, and very goofy person in real life. I am such a talkative person that once I start talking it’s almost impossible to stop. Whether I am sitting next to a stranger on a flight or walking into an event by myself, I am always open to connecting with new people.
I think it is important for people to realize that as a Black woman, I am many things. I have many sides to me, and I cannot be placed into a single simple box.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about my legacy will come from the fact that I am a 26 year old Black woman who has garnered a lot of visibility and attention this past year. And the truth is, I am human. I am not a one sided coin. I am fun, wild, rambunctious, and a little unhinged. I also happen to be very intellectual. I am a Black woman in STEM. I am deeply spiritual. I believe in what some might call the woo woo of life. I have a big heart, and I also speak my mind freely. I am not afraid to be heard, and I aim to share my thoughts with kindness first and foremost.
But I also understand that when I, as a Black woman, speak freely, especially as someone with growing visibility, people can project things onto me. Sometimes those projections are subconscious. People may try to paint you as rigid or difficult simply for being direct, assertive, or proud of what you have accomplished.
That is not just what I do. It is who I am. I created the Rising Visionaries Network as an intentional space for intellectuals seeking authentic connection in South Florida. And more than that, it is a space transparently and unapologetically led by a young Black woman. The truth is, women like me, with my background and visibility, are rare. The fact that I am running this group by myself is rare. There are not many people like me. And no one is me.
At the end of the day, the most important part of my legacy is that I am proud of myself. I am also blown away by the community I have begun creating through the Rising Visionaries Network, which I launched just two months ago. As someone who moved to Miami last year, I know I belong here. I consider myself a Miami woman. But I also recognize that in a city with strong existing circles, it can be easy for people to feel like outsiders. Sometimes even people who have lived here their whole lives do not feel like they fit a specific image or are part of the in crowd.
My goal with the Rising Visionaries Network is to break through those barriers and remind people that regardless of where you come from or what you look like, you are a visionary. You are an intellectual not just because of what you know, but because of how you think, how you feel, and the energy you bring into a room. Your story, your perspective, your creativity, your presence – all of it matters. And I want to build a world where people are not just seen but valued for that.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.meetup.com/rising-visionaries-network/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cierradesmaratti
- Other: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cierradesmaratti
Website: https://www.cierradesmaratti.com/
