Juanita Lopez [she/her]

Rise on Boards+ | Cohort 2

Juanita is the Stewardship Coordinator at STARS, a non-profit helicopter air ambulance service based in Calgary, Alberta. Originally from Colombia, she has been passionate about community development and intersectional justice from an early age. Inspired by her parents' experiences as immigrants, and as a woman of colour, Juanita is motivated to help transform the systems and spaces that have historically excluded or underserved marginalized communities. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Global Development, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sustainable Development at the University of Sussex.

Her academic work, paired with her professional experience in the non-profit sector, has deepened her commitment to inclusive, community-led change. Whether she’s building relationships with donors and allies at STARS or expanding her understanding of equity through continued education, Juanita leads with curiosity, compassion, and a strong commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. She hopes to continue growing as a relational and accountable leader, one who not only takes up space but also makes space for others, particularly voices that are too often excluded from decision-making tables.