Growing up in one of the regions of greatest need in the Highlands of Guatemala has shaped my character and taught me about perseverance, thus I’m a firm believer that leadership is not only about motivating and inspiring others, but it is also a road to self-development.
My journey to becoming a young change-maker started at a very young age, when I was faced with the reality that as the seventh child of a numerous family, my prospects of getting a formal education were very limited. But I did not let my family’s economic situation define my future, instead I learned to be resilient and cope with the many adversities that came in my way while pursuing a professional career.
I was determined to become a role model for youth in my family and my community, so I started working full time jobs while attending school at night, until I was able to finish college. During my first internship at one of the largest Central American companies based in the country, I discovered the value of service. Even though I was assigned to the Administrative Department, I did my best to connect with other areas of the company, by making myself available to assist with clerical work in other offices. This enabled me to network with a wide array of recognized and accomplished professionals that not only taught me technical skills but also furthered my leadership abilities. I reflect on that particular experience because it marked a turning point in my career and personal life. Encouraged by that experience, I decided to apply for an academic international scholarship. Following many interviews and tests, I was selected from a pool of over 500 candidates, as the youth ambassador of my country to the US Department of State-funded Global UGRAD program. As such, I was assigned for a one-semester exchange at American University at Washington, D.C. During my time at AU, I was able to showcase my leadership abilities in an international platform and engage in community service with several nonprofit organizations and grassroots campaigns.
Participating in this program gave me a better understanding of how other young people around the world learned to tackle their development challenges through self-cultivation and leadership. My journey as a UGRAD scholar added a different perspective to my professional career and allowed me to immerse in policy making and public administration. After this enriching experience I decided to take a step further into my leadership journey and alongside fellow youth leaders, I founded a youth network that advocates for meaningful participation of young people in important decision-making spaces while also serves as a platform to develop economic growth opportunities for young people in the region.
Since its inception on June 2019, the youth network has carried out training sessions for improved citizen participation and education in which a total of 300 young people participated. The network has recently expanded with two new chapters across other departments in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Our prioritized overarching results are 1) Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship; 2) Reproductive Health and Gender Equity; 3) Education; and 4) Citizen Participation.
I strongly believe that young leaders are able to provide transformative and purposeful changes in society; that is why I strive to be resilient, determined and service my community by empowering young change-makers to create a positive impact.