Today we’d like to introduce you to Alejandra Abusada.
Hi Alejandra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my career path as a clinical psychologist in Peru, I was always fascinated by how humans felt and behaved. While studying psychology I realized that there were so many people in need of psychological services, specially women in underserved communities. My passion to generate impact through development and philanthropy started 10 years ago when I created my non-profit organization called Mami Linda, with my work I was impacting the lives of hundreds of women and their families through education and access to mental health services. Then I pivoted my carrer to philanthropy and human development, that’s how I ended up doing a masters in human development at University of Pennsylvania. After that I explored the international development work in Washington DC for four years, which lead me to interact with different populations in Latin America and appreciate the power of philanthropy to complement the complexity of gaps in government services. After that I pursued my passion for philanthropy, being part of boards of different organizations in LATAM such as Foundation MIR in Dominican Republic and Sahf in El Salvador. At my last job I was the Director of development of Miami Dade College Foundation, in which I fundraised millions of dollars for the largest college in the United States, and recently I am starting my new job as Vice President of Supreme Twins Foundation, a health oriented organization that seeks to provide art and behavioral therapy to neurodiverse children that can’t access services through insurance.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Yes. It’s been definitely a ride… I always had my passion for philanthropy and fundraising but getting to approach it as a career path was definitely not easy. It takes courage to face what you really love and what you are good at to be able to make a living out of it. It’s also difficult to remain focus and grounded when there are so many inequalities in the world we are living. We must understand that we can’t change the world but we can definitely put our grain of sand and that is what matters.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am very well known in the philanthropy and non-profit space. Ive managed to get involved in different organizations worldwide. Foundation MIR in Dominican Republic, Salvatorean American Hispanic Foundation and of course doing fundraising for Miami Dade College, as Director of Development for the past almost three years. Now my current work is being Vice President of Supreme Twins Foundation and getting to advocate for access to mental health. I am very well known as a fundraiser, I have managed to close gift of more than six figures in moments where the economy has not been very favorable. I take pride in showcasing the amazing work that the non profits that I am involved do and help them to connect with the right people/ corporations to continue their mission.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I consider myself as a specialist at taking risks…. I always believe in this quote “if not me, who? if not now, when?” this inspires me to do things even when I am not sure, to take that leap, to close my eyes and trust. It has not been easy to decide I want to work in philanthropy as a career as many people kept telling me that it was not really a career. But at the end Ive learned that you have to trust yourself and the influence you have to do good in this world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aleabusada/?hl=es
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandra-abusada-m-a-ed-25ba0b154?trk=people-guest_people_search-card
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEzZ_BDoVUo
- Other: https://forbes.com.mx/ad-la-apuesta-de-alejandra-abusada-de-proyectos-locales-a-impacto-global/
Image Credits
Hector Alejandro Claro, Adonis Llana
