For a long time, I thought the only way out of poverty was through a corporate job. Growing up in a poor family with no connections and limited access to opportunities, my view of success was narrow. That belief is why I pursued a business degree, imagining myself in a corner office someday. But life had other plans. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, I followed my heart into the impact space, where I discovered meaning in creating opportunities for others and shaping programs that change lives.
Studying Business gave me tools in strategy, management, and critical thinking. Those skills became the foundation of my career, even though the path I took looked very different from what I first imagined. My journey led me into government service, nonprofit leadership, and youth development programs that open doors for underrepresented communities.
My first role in the provincial government showed me how public service can directly shape everyday lives. I worked on community projects and one of the early highlights of my career was being entrusted to draft a letter to the people of El Salvador when their government sought lessons from our province on mining. That letter, along with the other materials we prepared, contributed to a historic outcome. In 2017, El Salvador became the first country to ban metal mining, a landmark victory for water protection and community health (read more here).
That experience changed me. It proved that purposeful work can have ripple effects far beyond borders. Since then, I have committed myself to three areas that guide me to this day: education, environment and youth development.
Some of the work I am most proud of includes:
- Building partnerships with schools and universities to advance intercultural education and leadership programs.
- Developing systems and programs that advocate for environmental agendas and sustainable development.
- Designing education-to-employment programs such as internships, exposure events, and mentorship opportunities for underrepresented students.
Today, as Client Manager at Dream Opportunity, I design and lead initiatives that connect underrepresented youth to high-income, meaningful careers. From early-career pipelines to professional development workshops, my focus is on making opportunity visible, accessible, and sustainable.
My strengths include program design, partnership building, stakeholder communication, career development, and community-centered strategies. But more than any skill, what drives me is values-based leadership and the belief that impact should always outlast positions and titles.
If there is one thread that ties my journey together, it is this: I create pathways that lift people up while keeping the bigger picture of both people and planet in mind.