Olivia is an honors high school student currently living in Spain. She was born and raised in New York City and southern Italy, and has made Colombia her home away from home at every possible opportunity in her life. Olivia is a true citizen of the world with the remarkable ability to communicate with people of all backgrounds and cultures, and in four different languages. With immense heart, passion and devotion, Olivia has dedicated her young life to helping empower disadvantaged groups worldwide, and very specifically, in Colombia.

Olivia has proactively aided marginalized communities and orphanages throughout Medellin and Bogota, where her mother is from. At age 16, Olivia created MOCA Colombia, and planned, designed, and launched this heart-driven, non-profit organization to meaningfully change people’s lives.

At school, Olivia is deeply involved in her community, and has proudly founded The Women in STEM and Business Club to help empower her female peers. She is the Editor-in-Chief and President of the school newspaper, helping foster excitement about global affairs. Olivia is also a proud member of her school’s Student Council, The Eco Club, Robotics, and Voices for Change Clubs, where she actively promotes fundraising initiatives. In her free time, Olivia finds sanctuary in playing her harp, as well as through baking and cooking, where she eagerly explores the tastes of different cultures from around the world.

Through her two-year Independent Thesis Project, Olivia is researching the economics of chocolate beans and its impact on the agricultural development of marginalized communities in Colombia. Alongside MOCA Colombia, Olivia plans to ensure that small, underserved agricultural communities, such as La Argentina, can receive the help they need to further explore their agricultural standing and chocolate bean cultivation, and thereby help them to become self-sufficient and prosperous.