Marco Cisneros Espinoza: Turning Resilience into Leadership and Community Impact

Title: Founder & CEO

Organization: Viva Insurance Services

Age: 36

Marco Cisneros Espinoza was born in Ciudad Manuel Doblado, Guanajuato, Mexico and immigrated to the United States in 2004 at the age of 14. As a DACA recipient, he found in education the key tool to transform his future and create new opportunities through hard work and discipline. His journey was not easy. He lost his parents at a very young age and, without financial support, assumed full responsibility for funding his college education.

Despite these challenges, he persevered with determination and graduated with honors from Arizona State University, earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media and Communication Studies. Driven by his desire to serve the community, Marco obtained his auto, home, and health insurance licenses in the state of Illinois, launching a solid career in the insurance industry.

In 2023, one of the biggest insurance associations, Big I Illinois recognized Marco as Agent of the Year 2023, an honor awarded for his professional ethics, leadership, and dedication to his clients. After facing professional challenges that marked a turning point in his career, Marco made the decision to become an entrepreneur. In July 2024, he founded Viva Insurance Services using his personal savings, including funds from his 401(k) retirement plan. Although he had to rebuild his book of business from scratch, he relied on his experience, reputation, and strong industry relationships to do so successfully.

Today, the agency operates in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana and employs five team members, including college students to whom he provides meaningful professional growth opportunities. His vision is clear: to deliver accessible and reliable insurance solutions, create jobs, and expand his company into new states. Marco’s story reflects resilience, leadership, and a  genuine commitment to advancing the community he serves.