We Are Smith Assembly

Social innovation, movement, and rhythm. These are the tenants of my life, literally, emotionally, and spiritually. I was raised in a household of feminist women, in my home of Heredia, Costa Rica. They fought, and continue to fight, for women’s rights, gender equality, and the rights of vulnerable peri-urban communities. My passion for social justice is fueled by that upbringing from those amazing women, especially my grandmother, Marta Campos Mendez, whose tireless work for the women and workers of my country is a constant source of inspiration for me and my desire to help build a better world. Movement has been a cornerstone of my life. Initially taking me from Costa Rica to MIT for my education as a mechanical engineer and then around the world for the work I do. Movement has facilitated the great diversity of people with whom I’ve collaborated, the continuum of perspectives from which I’ve learned, and the various teams that I have organized and led, and the diversity of projects I’ve worked on. I’ve built pedal powered machines in indigenous communities without electricity or running water and developed patented catalysts in a state-of-the-art European research laboratory. This is some of the most valuable experience I bring to Smith Assembly. I play with, practice, and teach Latin rhythms and dance. Expressing this side of myself fuels the creativity for everything else I do in life. The rhythms of my artistic dance movement allow for ease and flow into the vast amount of travel that I do and help keep me grounded in all my work, from sustainable technological innovation to justice work. I am never happier than when I am dancing.