20 Under 40 | Fatima Perez-Luthi
Written and compiled by LAUREN JURGENSEN | Photos by JOHN BURN
Founder, CEO & Financial Health Coach | The Grind Coaching & Consulting
Agency Owner | Luthi & Associates
From coaching more than 240 individuals and families in financial literacy to raising more than $157,000 for community programs, Fatima is on a mission to disrupt generational cycles of poverty. Her newest venture, Voyage CFO 4U, is a financial wellness platform designed to make financial education more accessible.
As an immigrant and former foster youth, Fatima now uses her experiences to empower others, whether that’s protecting families through insurance, mentoring first-time founders, co-leading Munch Market in NOTO or serving with organizations like Omni Circle, MANA, Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity. Her leadership honors include Woman of Excellence (YWCA NE Kansas), Athena International Honoree, Forge YP Service Award and selection as a Kansas Delegate for GEC 2025.
What has shaped the way you view your community?
I am an immigrant from Mexico. Growing up in Topeka, all I wanted was to leave. That’s what so many of us thought — that success was somewhere else. But life gave me the gift of adversity. It taught me that success has nothing to do with the money you make, the title you hold or the school you went to. It’s about who you are at your core, how you respond when life gets hard, and how you choose to show up for others. Every challenge I’ve faced has been either a gift, a lesson or a blessing, and I believe the same is true for our community.
What advice would you give to young professionals?
Change the way you think about failure and risk. Don’t be afraid to fail. Take risks, but do it with your gut, your vision and your heart aligned. And most importantly, don’t let the fear of what people might say hold you back.
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
When I was working on my residency, my husband and I took a humanitarian trip to Mauritius, a small island off the coast of Africa, to help with marine life conservation. We counted fish, stopped illegal fishing and explored the ocean. On our day off, we hiked to Chamarel Waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall on the island. We rappelled down it and six more waterfalls. On the last one, only about 20 meters high, I decided to jump. I landed wrong and ruptured my ear. It was painful, but it was also exhilarating, and I’d do it all over again.
Click Here to go back to the Jayhawk Area Council’s 20 Under 40
