Former PiLA Fellow Testimonials
“The experience I gained working with Nicaraguans in an NGO promotin education helped me visualize how progress can be and often is achieved.”
-Elan Fox, Endeavor Mexico (remote), 2021-2022
“Working at AIS has been a formative experience. It has exposed me to the world of education and navigating my strengths and in a place that is very different from my past work experience. I find that what makes PiLA, PiLA, is a world view and perspective. It is a group of fellows and NGOs that believe in supporting communities through their local strength and knowledge.”
-Antonia Nichols, Antigua International School, 2019-2020
“I feel that my personal and professional development over these past two years was significant. My Spanish improved to complete technical-professional fluency; I built experience in project management and leadership; I developed a deep understanding of nonprofit management; I learned more about issues of interest such as statelessness in the Dominican Republic; and I formed an irreplaceable connection to Cabarete, DREAM, and the people I met there.”
-Danielle Coony, The DREAM Project, 2017-2018
“My PiLA experience gave me a clear vision of who I want to be as a young leader in global health that generates environments conducive to growth, creativity, trust, and honesty.”
-Maria Ruiz, Hospitalito Atitlan, 2017-2018
“I believe that my experience at Yspaniola has laid the groundwork for a future career with social and community-led organizations. I hope to take the experience and skills that I have learned and apply them in the areas of international education or diversity and inclusion. My time as a PiLA fellow has given me clarity in what I want to pursue long-term.”
-Tiffany Brown, Yspaniola, 2017-2018
“The experience I gained working with Nicaraguans in an NGO promoting education helped me visualize how progress can be and often is achieved.”
-Niki Hrusa Castillo, Project Alianza, 2016-2017
“Whenever I meet PiLA alumni for the first time, I am always struck by their dedication, resilience, and commitment to social justice. PiLA alumni are spread out across the globe, working in diverse sectors, but we all share a common passion and love for Latin America.”
-Michelle Velez, Endeavor Mexico, 2014-2015
“Applying to PiLA and accepting the fellowship at Endeavor was the best decision I could have taken, both in terms of my career and personal life.”
-Iara Guzmán, Princeton ’14, Endeavor Mexico, 2014-2015
Our Community
PiLA's alumni community is absolutely essential to our mission. Working in a diverse set of fields, alumni are able to connect personally and professionally over a shared commitment to sustainable development in Latin America. Many fellows are actively involved in PiLA's programming as donors, volunteers, mentors, and members of a governing body known as the "Fellowship Advisory Council (FAC)". The PiLA network is expanding and is more active than ever, and we welcome participation by all PiLA alumni!
Alumni Association
We invite alumni to update their information here to receive news from the PiLA Alumni Association, overseen by the FAC. Membership in the Alumni Association is free and open to all former PiLA fellows. Benefits of registering for the Alumni Association include opportunities to participate in exclusive networking events, the career mentorship program, PiLA orientation sessions and receptions, and networking via the FAC.