Beyond the work
The record behind the projects
The rest of the story that does not fit on a project page: the awards and fellowships, the years of student and civic leadership, the degrees, and the training that shaped how I work.
Voices from the Global South
2026Batten Latinx Network Conference · University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Organized as Graduate Relations Representative of the Batten Latinx Network.
U.S.–Costa Rica Relations
2025Fulbright Central Virginia Chapter · Charlottesville, VA
State of Open Data in the Costa Rican Government
2024"El Poder de los Datos" — MIDEPLAN & Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data · Costa Rica
Including gender identity and sexual orientation variables in the Judicial Branch's administrative systems
2023Abrelatam & ConDatos 2023 · Uruguay
Presented jointly with activist organizations from Costa Rica and Guatemala.
Open Data in the Judicial Branch: Innovation in Access to Public Information
2022Escuela Judicial (Judicial School of Costa Rica) · Costa Rica
State of Open Justice in Costa Rica
2021Abrelatam & ConDatos 2021 · Virtual
Fulbright Scholarship
2025Full funding for graduate study in the United States, covering tuition, living expenses, airfare, and relocation, for a total value of roughly USD 185,000.
Batten Family Bicentennial Scholars Fellowship
2025University of Virginia. Valued at roughly USD 80,000.
Graduation with Honorific Mention, Licentiate in Public Administration
2020University of Costa Rica. GPA 9.45 out of 10.
Graduation with Honorific Mention, Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
2018University of Costa Rica. GPA 9.03 out of 10.
First Place, Student Debate on Municipal Public Policy Evaluation
2017XI Congress of Red-e-Mun, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, México. Also invited as an international speaker at the same congress.
International Studies Office Scholarship (two awards)
2018University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, for a study abroad semester.
Other graduate admissions & scholarship offers (2025)
- University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy, MPP, admitted with a partial scholarship of USD 70,000.
- Carnegie Mellon University, Heinz College, MS in Public Policy and Management, admitted with the Heinz College Strategic Partner Scholarship covering 50% of tuition.
- University of Texas at Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Master of Public Affairs, admitted with a partial scholarship.
- Türkiye Scholarships, full scholarship for a Master's in Public Administration at Hacettepe University, declined upon accepting the Fulbright Program.
Graduate Relations Representative
2026Batten Latinx Network, University of Virginia
- Organized the "Voices from the Global South" conference, connecting Latinx graduate students with speakers and issues from the Global South.
Municipal Council Candidate
2019 to 2020Acción Ciudadana Party, Coronado
- Ran as the youth representative on the ruling party's formula for the Municipal Council in the 2020 elections, working with local representatives and designing a development plan for the local government.
- Served on the party's national team for Economy and State Reform and led local campaign work.
International Fundraising & Awards Coordinator
2019 to 2021APO FU Foundation, Malawi and San José
- Led the international fundraising process, designing proposals, strategies, and alliances to fund projects.
- Built a new business model and operating strategy for the foundation's education and fundraising work in Costa Rica.
Student Leadership, University of Costa Rica
2014 to 2018Association of Students of Public Administration and related bodies
- President of the Association of Students of Public Administration and Deputy Coordinator of the Council of Students of Economic Sciences (2017).
- Student representative in the 2018 curriculum redesign of the Public Administration major, and in the School and Faculty Assemblies.
- Member of the Open Government and Innovation Commission of the UCR Student Federation, and moderator of public innovation workshops at Abrelatam Costa Rica.
Community & Civic Engagement
2015Various municipalities and national programs
- Member of the Local Management Team of the Municipality of Vázquez de Coronado, contributing to the Cantonal Plan for Local Human Development and the Municipal Strategic Plan.
- Moderated participatory workshops for DINADECO's National Community Development Plan and for the MEP and UNESCO Education Policy for Sustainable Development.
Master of Public Policy, concentration in Leadership and Public Policy
May 2026Frank Batten School of Leadership & Public Policy, University of Virginia
- GPA 3.80 out of 4.00. Fulbright Scholar and Batten Family Bicentennial Scholars Fellow.
- Trained in the Adaptive Leadership framework (Ronald Heifetz).
- Coursework in impact evaluation, economics of public policy, regional economic modeling, poverty reduction and aid policy, and applied policy projects.
Licentiate and Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration
2018 to 2020University of Costa Rica
- Licentiate (2020), GPA 9.45 out of 10, graduation with honorific mention, specialization in Public Budgeting and Finance.
- Bachelor of Arts (2018), GPA 9.03 out of 10, graduation with honorific mention.
Study Abroad Semester, School of Government and Public Affairs
January to June 2018University of Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia
- International Studies Office Scholarship recipient (two awards).
- Coursework in policy analysis, the right to the city, and public management practice.
- Power BI Course (2022)
- Python Fundamentals Course (2022)
- Creative Coding Course, CIID Copenhagen (2021)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Preparatory Course, PMI (2021)
- Public Budget Specialist, CICAP (2020)
- Certified in Behavioral Economics, IDB INDES (2020)
- Central American Course on Formulation and Design of Public Policies, ICAP (2019)
- Certified in SCRUM Fundamentals (2017)
- Certificate in Public Management, University of Costa Rica (2014)
- Member, Colegio de Ciencias Económicas de Costa Rica, Associate No. 046725