The Real Me:
Beyond the Resume
A narrative that traces and connects the roots of who I am—my story, values, and the voice behind every part of this site.
A narrative that traces and connects the roots of who I am—my story, values, and the voice behind every part of this site.
While my home page introduces what I do, this page shares why I do it — the personal story, values, and experiences that go far beyond what you’d find on a resume.
Rooted in my upbringing between North Carolina and Peru, and shaped by the chosen families and communities who have lifted me up, my story is one of resilience, connection, and a deep commitment to building a better world for everyone. As a dual-citizen with rich global experiences, I’ve learned the power of truly understanding others, communicating beyond language barriers, and including every voice in the policies that shape our lives. This belief — that caring for neighbors locally and globally makes the world stronger — fuels my passion for public service. And because creativity is at my core, I express all these parts of who I am through my work and this website — from the storytelling and design to the writing, pictures, coding, and colors. Every detail here is an authentic reflection of me and how I understand myself.
Explore the sections below to dive deeper into the foundation, approach, mission, expression —and beyond— that guide my journey (and this website).
I was born and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, and have called DC home since 2022. Growing up in North Carolina was a gift—I was surrounded by stunning natural beauty, from rolling Piedmont hills to weekend trips to the Blue Ridge Mountains, and rich history that felt alive everywhere. The beauty in my home state is also one of the earliest influences that made taking care of our planet feel like a personal responsibility rather than an abstract concept.
In addition to growing up in a beautiful state, I was incredibly fortunate growing up with a stable, loving family foundation and opportunities that many don't have. Annual trips to Peru to visit extended family weren't just vacations—they were formative experiences that gave me global perspective from an early age and deepened my connection to my heritage. As a Peruvian American, spending every summer there showed me how different life could be around the world.
An unexpected turning point during high school changed everything and taught me what resilience truly looks like. Those formative years shaped who I am today in ways I'm still processing with each new milestone. Through it all, I learned that the people in my life are everything to me. The communities that supported me through those challenges showed me the incredible power of connection and belonging—a foundation that continues to drive everything I do today. My belief that we can build a better world is entirely grounded in community and the incredible good that flows from it, a conviction forged through my own experience of being lifted up by others when I needed it most.
My multicultural foundation in Raleigh shaped my understanding of community care during high school, where I learned about supporting local economies and small businesses. This personal experience of showing up for neighbors helped me recognize how the same principles of care, support, and interconnectedness apply whether supporting individuals or understanding broader economic systems. These local experiences naturally expanded my curiosity about the world beyond my hometown.
My desire to embrace challenges and the unfamiliar led me to complete the Global Perspectives Certificate Progam and study abroad three times—in Cuba, Prague, and Paris. Each journey reinforced that local issues have global impact and we all share responsibility for caring for our planet. While my Spanish helped me connect across cultures, learning French taught me that bridging differences requires more than language—it demands empathy, curiosity, and humility.
These experiences of community and global connection guided my academic and professional path, though I didn't realize it at the time. My love for AP US History and Environmental Science in high school sparked my decision to major in political science and pursue environmental work, ultimately leading me to discover my calling in public policy. After working for the Town of Apex building their first sustainability program, my global perspective gave me the confidence to take a leap of faith—signing a DC lease and giving myself two months to find a job, which landed me a position on Capitol Hill that would have made my 18-year-old self incredibly proud.
After a year on Capitol Hill, I returned to school full-time to study public policy. Having just graduated, I'm refocusing my career on what I believe is the most urgent challenge of our generation: climate change. I'm drawn to understanding how different jurisdictions approach climate change because as we're waiting for the world to respond, organizations at every level are being faced with the challenge right now.
My graduate studies reinforced this focus through empirical evidence—to create the kind of platform that moves the needle, change must begin at the grassroots level. Climate policy sits at the intersection of community-centered values, strategic communication, and systemic change—bringing together local experience and global awareness to address the challenges people feel every day while building the broader systems we desperately need.
I believe policy only works when it’s grounded in relationships—when people see themselves in the solutions being shaped. That’s why I’m just as invested in the how as I am in the what. Whether I’m breaking down complex policies into digestible formats or building trust across stakeholders, I approach my work with a clear goal: to bring people together around shared values, spark action, and make climate solutions feel personal, not abstract.
The same instincts that guide my approach to policy—connection, clarity, and creativity—are just as present in my personal life. I’ve always been drawn to creating and bringing people together in every way possible. Whether it's hosting dinner parties, curating shared playlists, or organizing community events, I love creating spaces that spark joy and invite people into meaningful moments
That instinct shows up in my creative work, too. I find joy in capturing travel moments through photography, experimenting with video editing, or building websites that tell stories visually and intuitively. My creative projects—whether professional or personal—are never just about aesthetics. They're about evoking a feeling, building a bridge, or starting a conversation.
I’m especially energized by projects that blend storytelling with strategy—newsletters that keep communities informed and inspired, social media content that meets people where they are, or outreach campaigns that don’t just inform, but resonate. I see communications as a tool not only to convey information but to build trust, foster belonging, and create emotional stakes around the issues that matter most.
Every piece in my portfolio, from a visually engaging explainer to a personalized travel vlog for friends, reflects my belief that effective communication requires both analytical rigor and imaginative storytelling. Through strategic communications and creative expression, I’m constantly exploring how to make people feel something.My life extends far beyond my career and public service commitments—I'm a collection of passions that keep me curious, growing, and grounded. Whether you're interested in connecting professionally or simply think we might get along, I'm always open to meaningful conversations!
Running has taught me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. I've completed three half marathons and am training for my fourth, using movement as a way to become the strongest, healthiest version of myself. Every training cycle reminds me of this fundamental truth about my own resilience.
Astrology offers a beautiful framework for understanding people—and as someone who tries to understand everyone as deeply as possible, I find it endlessly fascinating. I'm a Virgo sun and rising with an Aquarius moon, and I love how astrology gives us shared language for exploring ourselves and others in new ways.
Music has been my constant companion since childhood—from singing and piano to picking up ukulele during the pandemic. Whether I'm at concerts, dancing with friends, or creating collaborative playlists and mixtapes, music is how I connect with myself and others in the most authentic way. Check out my Spotify profile for a little sample of what I listen to ♫ ♪
These passions are part of the "beyond" that fuels my creativity and connection in everything I do. If any of this resonates, I'd love to connect!
"The people crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones that do."