PaulaOcampo [they/them]

Rise on Boards+ | Cohort 2

Paula Ocampo is a young professional passionate about community building, sustainable development, and gender equity, with a key focus on racialized & queer identities. They hold a B.A. Specialization in Globalization Studies from Western University (2024). Their deep desire to understand the world has led them across diverse contexts, from building houses as a volunteer to curating art exhibits. Growing up in Queretaro, Mexico, Paula witnessed the impacts of systemic inequality. They began their change-making journey with an organization called TECHO, a Latin American non-profit focused on poverty reduction through community-led development. This formative experience inspired Paula to pursue a career in international development, eventually earning a scholarship to study in Canada.

Five years later, Paula has graduated and has gone on to launch and support numerous initiatives focused on gender equity, storytelling, and grassroots organizing. Their experiences in both Mexico and Canada have shaped their approach to global development, centring equity for gender-marginalized youth and access to education. Today, Paula remains eager to keep learning, growing, and stepping into spaces where meaningful change is unfolding.