Paula has been working as WYA Program Officer and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the past two years. Under her leadership, WYA Latin America (WYALA) has gained over 3,000 new WYA members, over two hundred certified members, twenty-nine trained advocates, and nine new WYA Chapters and WYA National Committees including Argentina, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela. The Human Dignity Curriculum was also launched and piloted in Honduras, Paraguay, and Peru. In the past year, WYALA engaged almost 3,000 young people through various youth events and educational activities. Paula is also a FEMM Certified Teacher.
Paula was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She completed a law degree from Universidad de La Sabana. Paula has received recognition as a distinguished student in law school, for being the first in her class and having the highest GPA in the entire university. She also previously worked with the Mayor’s Office of Bogota City where she oversaw over fifty cases in the Human Rights Office and provided legal advice to various victims in Colombia. Paula has also been involved in peace education in Colombia where she worked directly with children affected by the war in Colombia.
Paula will begin as President of the World Youth Alliance in September 2022.