L OURDES CARTAGENA has worked extensively in both clinical and criminal justice fields for twenty seven years. She is an entrepreneur, life strategist, published author, consultant on domestic violence issues, clinician, speaker and founder of Lourdes Empowers™. This organization provides life coaching to women with a history or experiencing trauma, abuse and addiction. As a survivor of domestic violence and addiction and through the extraordinary transformational life God has given her, Lourdes’ mission is to bring healing, help, and hope to women by empowering, encouraging, and inspiring them to succeed.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY in a low-income housing project, she witnessed and experienced domestic violence at a young age. At eighteen, a single mother, her life took a turn for the worst. She developed an addiction to heroin for ten years resulting in a 3 year prison sentence. Upon release from prison Lourdes knew it was time to turn her life around, pick up the broken pieces and use her struggles to help others. She is a credentialed Counselor with the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, Certified in Life Coach and Moral Recognation Therapy. She launched Latin Investors Association (LIA), which is a real estate organization designed to assist minorities invest and achieve wealth.
She has been featured in several documentaries such as “Straight Talk with Randy Kearse”, “Beyond Prison, Probation and Parole”, and “Victim to Victory Film”. She has also co-authored the book entitled “Victim to Victory”, as well as Black Writer Talk Radio.

She is dedicated and committed to helping others heal and evolve through coaching. She continues to educate and help others create a lifestyle that allows for more freedom and create a lucrative income.

Achievements

♦ 1994 Volunteer Service Award by the New York State Department of Correctional Services

♦ 1994 Volunteer Award Fortune Society and Network In The Community

♦ 1998 Received award by the NYS Department of Correctional Services for contributing with distinction to the betterment of services and programs made available to the incarcerated offender.

♦ 2007 Certified in Moral Recognation Therapy™

♦ 2009 Training Provider for the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services

♦ 2011 Received Counseling Credentials

♦ 2011 Criminal Justice Degree

♦ 2011 Member of National Association Drug Court Professionals

♦ 2014 Featured in "Straight Talk with Randy Kearse" Documentary

♦ 2015 Received Life Coach Certification

♦ 2015 Featured in “Beyond Prison, Probation, and Parole Documentary

♦ 2016 Featured in “Victim to Victory” Film

♦ 2017 & 2018 Featured in Women Doing It Big Magazine

♦ 2021 Launched Latin Investors Association Financial Group