Ana Laura Araya, Costa Rica

The Power Of Stories Podcast

Ana Laura Araya is the Co-Founder of Soy Niña. She has worked in nonprofit organizations and private foundations since she finished college. Ana Laura studied Journalism and Photography but during the past years she has worked in fundraising, event planning and communications in nonprofit organizations. Currently, she is finishing a certificate degree in Nonprofit Management from Harvard Extension School. Ana Laura is very passionate about the rights of girls.

In this episode, Ana Laura discusses the inspiration to start a non-profit organization focused on young girls, Soy Niña, and the organization’s work to empower girls in vulnerable communities, beginning at age six, and working with girls through ninth grade… her move from Costa Rica to the U.S. at age twelve, how that move affected her life and then, ten years ago, following her intuition and moving back to Costa Rica… the importance of discovering the essence of what makes us unique and of not comparing ourselves to others and … the importance of listening to your heart… reminding us all to believe that girls’ opinions matter, to listen to girls, and to realize that, most often, they know what is best for themselves. (Costa Rica)