Chrisse Pineda

Chrisse’s journey to becoming a CPA was anything but ordinary. Growing up in a broken family in a well-known city in the Philippines, she learned resilience and responsibility at an early age. By the time she was in second grade, she could already cook, do laundry, and handle household chores most eight-year-olds wouldn’t even think about.

Entrepreneurial from a young age, Chrisse sold food and drinks during classroom breaks, which sparked an early fascination with numbers. Her name frequently appeared among the top scorers in mathematics competitions, leading her to initially dream of becoming an engineer. However, a high school specialization in bookkeeping shifted her focus, igniting a passion for accounting and setting her on the path to becoming a CPA.

College brought its own challenges, but Chrisse wasn’t alone. She studied alongside her older sister, Chelsea—taking the same course, attending the same classes, and even graduating together. Her eldest brother, Charles, pursued civil engineering, adding to the pressure of high expectations. The weight of these expectations followed Chrisse through college and all the way to the CPA board exam.

Despite the challenges, long nights, and immense pressure, Chrisse persevered. Today, she stands proudly as a CPA, proving that determination and resilience can overcome even the toughest obstacles.