David Morales

I’m David Morales.

My story is one of grit, integrity, and gratitude—all tenets of the American dream and the American promise.

My Journey Over the Years

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1940’S—PAPA TOÑO IN THE ARMY

Grandpa infantryIn the 1940s, my grandfather left Puerto Rico to serve in the 65th Infantry Regiment alongside tens of thousands of Puerto Rican men during World War II.

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1947—MAMÁ AND PAPI IN PUERTO RICO

1947 My Grandma and Dad in Puerto RicoMy father grew up in a house made of palm trees and a zinc roof in rural Puerto Rico.

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1959—MY PARENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL

parentsMy parents met and married young in Indiana in the 1950s and began working toward the American dream. They are my role models and my heroes.

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1980—KINDERGARTEN IN DORADO, PUERTO RICO

David kindergartenThrough a series of economic hardships, our family ended up back in Puerto Rico in the late 1970s. We lived in a rural area with lots of vegetation. Although we had the bare necessities, my parents made sure we never lacked food.

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1986—MY FIRST WINTER IN THE USA

1986 My First Winter in the USAMy family moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 1986, and I experienced my first winter—and snow!

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1992—LYNN CLASSICAL FOOTBALL

David Morales footballThanks to my parents, teachers, and my coach, I knew that education and football were my pathway out of poverty and street life. Getting into college became my obsession—a clear way to beat poverty and bring my family along with me.

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1997—BOWDOIN COLLEGE GRADUATION WITH MAMÁ AND PAPI

graduationAfter failing the SATs twice, Bowdoin College was the only college to give me a chance and the financial support I needed to build a future, leverage opportunities, and explore a whole new world I never knew existed.

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2010—SWEARING IN AS A COMMISSIONER IN MASSACHUSETTS

Swearing InGrit, resilience, and hard work enabled me to build a rewarding career in health care policy. In 2010, I was sworn in as Commissioner of Health Care Finance and Policy.

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2012 - Grupo Yagua

2012 Grupo YaguaAs the former lead singer for Grupo Yagua, I sang Puerto Rican boleros and musica jibara to promote traditional Puerto Rican music. My passion for this music inspired me to become one of the foremost collectors of music from Puerto Rico.

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2018—MONEY VS. VALUES

private jetFor a few years, wealth and power consumed me. I wasn’t living in alignment with my values. I wasn’t showing up for my family. In 2018, I gave up a high-paying executive position to be an all-in father, husband, son, friend, and member of my community.

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2021 - Mi Familia

David familyToday, my life revolves around family, faith, and community. I’m proud of the work I do in health care and my volunteer work to mentor young men and women to overcome poverty and build financially stable lives. But my commitment to my faith and my family will always come first.