Bernie Navarro was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Peru on June 16 and confirmed by the Senate on December 18, 2025. A Puerto-Rican resident of humble Cuban heritage, Ambassador Navarro is an accomplished entrepreneur, educator, and civic leader who has built a career bridging finance, real estate development, and community empowerment.
Ambassador Navarro is the founder and president of Benworth Capital, a private equity and licensed mortgage lending firm with offices in Coral Gables, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico. He also established BEN Development, a real estate company focused on residential construction and community revitalization. Earlier in his career, he founded HomeMortgage, a full-service mortgage financing company that achieved substantial growth before being acquired by the leading U.S. lender. He previously held leadership roles at premier financial institutions including Citibank Mortgage, General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Mortgage, and JP Morgan Chase.
Beyond business, Ambassador Navarro has profoundly impacted his communities through education and civic service. He founded the Latin Builders Association (LBA) Construction and Business Management Academy, the first charter high school in the U.S. established by a professional association with a skills-first educational approach. He served as a Governor-appointed member of the Board of Trustees for Miami Dade College and later served as Chairman. Miami Dade College is the largest institution of higher learning in the United States. During his tenure, he chaired the Presidential Search Committee and served as a founding board member of the Idea Center, the College’s innovation hub. Miami Dade College awarded him an Honorary Bachelor of Arts and Letters in 2021. Ambassador Navarro has also served on the University of Miami’s Real Estate Advisory Board. He has served on numerous appointed and elected civic and business boards, bridging public service and private sector leadership.
A published author and recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to business, education, and civic life, Ambassador Navarro holds a bachelor’s degree in International Finance from the University of Miami and a graduate degree in Government from Harvard University.