In the first semester, everything fell apart when she was involved in a car accident as a passenger. Waking up in the hospital completely paralyzed from the waist down, doctors predicted that she would never walk again. Despite facing the challenges of severe blood loss and injuries to her pelvis and spine, she made a resolute decision to reclaim her life. Determined to overcome the odds, she embarked on a journey to regain mobility and rebuild her life.
After a year of intense Physical Therapy that very few can endure, she was able not only to resume walking again, but to graduate in 3.5 years Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with dual degrees in Finance and International Business. She was also accepted to the internship program with the US Chamber of Commerce and was hired by the American Express Financial Advisors under their exclusive program.
Despite her academic achievements, Natalia struggled with feelings of inadequacy, weakness, and unworthiness. Unable to participate in sports, run, or dance like her peers, she grappled with mental hurdles. Seeking to overcome these challenges, she entered and excelled as the First Runner-up at the Hawaiian Tropic International competition, paving the way for a thriving international modeling career. Recognized as an exceptional talent in modeling, she was granted a green card and subsequently obtained US citizenship.
Natalia has been represented by renowned agencies like Elite Models Management, Elite Celebrities, Wilhelmina Models, and Fashion (Italy). Her portfolio includes cover features and appearances in publications such as Playboy, Maxim, FHM, and Health, among others. She is a proud member of SAG/AFTRA, having showcased her talent in films like “Swordfish,” “Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles,” and “Boat Trip,” as well as numerous television series like “Baywatch” and “Cannonball” and “Wall Street Warriors.”
Natalia is also a seasoned entrepreneur with leadership experience across multiple industries. She is the Co‑Founder of SGG World, parent company of Verda Family Office (SFO), where she oversees global family investments and strategic initiatives. She also serves as President & COO of Cytta Corp (OTCQB: CYCA), driving innovation in safety and security technologies, and leads Cytta Labs Venture Studio, focused on scaling breakthrough technologies and taking them to the public markets.
Natalia’s commitment to philanthropy is evident in her involvement with various charitable organizations. She established Legacy of Safety Foundation, has been a board member of Kick4Life.org since 2013, and provides advisory support to entities such as Best Buddies (Kennedy Shriver Foundation) and Water.org, among others.
Natalia’s passion lies in empowering individuals to forge their unique legacies and cultivate wealth through her ideology of TrueWealthTM. TrueWealthTM encapsulates her philosophy that while amassing wealth and realizing personal aspirations is vital, true richness stems from giving back to the community and fostering genuine prosperity. Natalia embodies this principle in her own life and endeavors to instill this ethos in others, guiding them to embrace a holistic approach to wealth and fulfillment.
Natalia calls Beverly Hills home, where she balances her commitment to helping others and managing her varied business ventures. She is a graduate of the Beverly Hills Police Department Citizens Academy and Team Beverly Hills, and remains an active member of the community, dedicated to service and civic engagement alongside her entrepreneurial and philanthropic work.
Natalia Sokolova’s narrative embodies remarkable strength, passion, and resilience, serving as an enduring source of inspiration. Her ongoing journey defies odds and showcases the attainability of the seemingly impossible. Through sharing her experiences, Natalia endeavors to empower individuals, demonstrating that transformative change and impact are achievable through consistent dedication and incremental progress.
