Emelie is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s in Political Science with two certifications in Human Rights and Political Transitions, and African Languages and Culture at the Florida International University Honors College. She currently serves as the president of IGNITE FIU, a bi-partisan political advocacy organization training young women to run for office. Previous to transferring to Florida International University, Emelie graduated from Miami Dade College with an A.A. in International Relations.

Prior to joining CHLI, Emelie interned for Centro Emergenica de Mujer and La Defensoria Municipal del Niño y del Adolescente in Cusco, Peru. There, she provided aid to young mothers and children to legally escape domestic and sexual violence by offering resources such as psychological treatment, legal guidance, judicial defense and information on where to find safe housing with the help of local lawyers. She then utilized her knowledge on gender-based violence in her research on human trafficking and human smuggling laws that govern the Western Hemisphere for the Department of State through her university’s Diplomacy lab. Her experiences sparked her passion in fighting for good governance and ridding societies of gender-based violence.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Emelie is a first-generation Cuban American. Her passion for good governance and human rights led her to pursue her major and seek prosperous opportunities that uplift her and her community.