I am a Colombian biologist and environmental engineer with the long lasting aspiration of becoming a leader and leader-booster. During my professional journey the biggest reward of my work has been to take part in transformation the reality of individuals and communities and empowering people to become the best version of themselves. I have realized that there is a hidden art in identifying peoples talents, passions, efforts, dreams, struggles and views, so you can then guide them, appropriately, towards their best versions and they can in turn contribute to collective change.

As president of the Environmental Committee at Universidad de los Andes I started a journey to bring together science and action and gained experience leading a multidisciplinary team that delivered outstanding results in building a sustainability strategy on campus. I continued to lift others through my work with fisherwomen in the pacific coast of Colombia as I empowered them to lead commercial chains and use technology to expande their networks and community dynamics. The greatest reward was the resilience, adaptability and courage these women portray and that soon afterwards lead to initial commercialization processes with renowned chefs in Colombia such as Leonor Espinosa and David Koch. Just recently, I witnessed the results of devoting wholeheartedly to the dream of providing electric nautical mobility for a school in the remote areas of the Colombian pacific. After 4 years of countless challenges, I was able to see my team deliver the first electric school boat set sail in Bahía Malaga bringing hope to 20 kids that will have constant access to education through solar powered transport.

We are facing unprecedented times, twin biodiversity and climate crises are already unfolding in front of our eyes and action is desperately needed. I am eager to gain additional training to become an ice breaker, risk taker and change maker. I am eager to become a voice for those that are unseen and become a change agent that rise women and girls to bring their commitment, compassion, empathy, creativity and resilience to enrich the much needed synergies to solve the worlds most pressing challenges.

Homeward Bound is an amazing opportunity to receive the tools, training and support I need to become an effective, innovative and disruptive leader capable of bridging my understanding of our natural systems and my experience to become a voice for people and planet. I have been selected as one of 100 women that will make part of a 12-month leadership program capable of bringing me closer to my dreams by making me a part of a global network of women who share the same sense of purpose to address the climate, biodiversity and social crisis the world faces today.

Your support is essential for my enrollment and will be exclusively directed towards payment of tuition fee.

Full of love, Natalia