We’re looking forward to introducing you to MaCara Santiago. Check out our conversation below.
Hi MaCara, 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 something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Honestly? I’ve been getting lost in juicy fictional drama on my Kindle, and it’s been everything! After being in work mode nonstop, there’s nothing like escaping into a good book and pretending I’m part of someone else’s wild storyline for a while. It’s my favorite kind of plot twist lately and pure joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, my name is MaCara, also known as The Traveling Accountant. I run a boutique accounting firm called Around the World Ledger, where I help U.S. expats, digital nomads, and inspiring global citizens manage their finances and navigate our complex tax system while staying anywhere in the world. I’m passionate about financial literacy, traveling, and entrepreneurship.
But my story doesn’t stop there. As someone who grew up in public housing and foster care, I know firsthand what it feels like to dream big with limited access to resources. That’s why I also created Projects 2 Passports, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teen girls from under-resourced communities to become global leaders through world education, mentorship, and travel opportunities. We’re not just helping girls see the world, we’re helping them see what’s possible through exposure.
What makes both my brand and my mission unique is that they’re rooted in lived experience. I’ve turned my journey into a platform for impact, mixing financial education with global exploration and community empowerment. Right now, I’m getting prepared to speak at the Exodus Summit, and we’re getting ready to start our 1st cohort with Projects 2 Passports, and it’s honestly one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever worked on.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The version of me that felt like she had to do everything alone. The one who wore “strong” as armor, took pride in being the go-to person, and thought rest had to be earned. That part of me helped me survive, build, and push through some of the toughest seasons, but she’s tired. And she’s done her job.
Now, I’m making space for softness, support, and systems. I’m choosing community, delegation, and ease. I’ve learned that I don’t have to carry it all to be worthy or successful, and I’m finally ready to let that part of me go.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that’s held me back the most has been the fear of not being enough. Not smart enough, not polished enough, not experienced enough, not worthy enough to be in certain rooms or take up space. Growing up the way I did, I carried that fear quietly for years, thinking I had to overachieve just to be accepted. It kept me second-guessing myself, dimming my light, and sometimes settling for less than I deserved.
But I’ve learned that fear only grows in silence, and once I started owning my story, my voice, and my value, that fear started losing its power. Now, I remind myself daily, I’m not here to fit in, I’m here to stand out.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to the belief that every girl, no matter where she comes from, deserves to see the world and believe she belongs in it. That’s the heart of my nonprofit, Projects 2 Passports. I’ll keep building it brick by brick, connection by connection, until more girls from communities like I grew up in are traveling, learning, leading, and showing up in spaces they were once excluded from. This isn’t just a project, it’s a promise. And I’m in it for the long haul.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and all my possessions, what would remain is my purpose. My resilience. My heart for community. The impact I’ve made in people’s lives, the doors I’ve opened for others, and the belief I’ve planted in girls who were never told they could dream beyond their block. What would remain is the quiet strength I’ve carried through every storm, and the light I’ve passed on by simply choosing to keep going. Titles fade, but legacy lives on, and that’s what I’m really here to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/yourexpatcfo
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macarasantiago/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@aroundtheworldledger
