Katya Garcia has more than three years of experience and studied at the American School Foundation of Monterrey. Katya’s interest in social justice and civic engagement began early in her academic career. In January 1999, she worked as a participant coordinator for the State of the World Forum for Emerging Leaders that took place in Monterrey and a few months later she received a scholarship to participate in the week-long conference for the State of the World Forum/European Business Summit in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She then continued her studies at one of Latin America’s finest schools, Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, where she earned a BA in Communications. In 2005, the university selected her to study abroad at Teikyo University in Maastricht, Netherlands, where she studied foreign affairs, international political terrorism, and culture and gender studies. She became a consultant soon after earning her BA. Then in 2007, Katya co-founded Paz Es, a nonprofit organization that promotes a peaceful environment in the community by generating, supporting, promoting, and participating in positive actions. She became Director of Communications and Public Relations for Paz Es, working directly with Mexico´s most recognized media and private companies such as Televisa, Multimedios Televisión, El Norte newspaper, Cemex, Xignux, and Cervecería Cuahtemoc Moctezuma.

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Host Organization: U.S. Peace Corps