Who was/is your Role Model and why?

I admire any woman that intrinsically motivates me to become a better, more complete version of myself. Fortunately, not everybody possesses the same qualities, but different people possess distinct qualities that are each worth embracing. As such, there is not just one single woman I regard as role model. Depending on the qualities one seeks in a role model, different women come to mind. When it comes to academic qualities, for example, I would name Ester Duflo, Nobel Prize laureate of 2019. This is because of her commitment to supporting scientifically informed policy making to mitigate world poverty, the great achievements she has made to serve that purpose, along with her ability to inspire students with the same enthusiasm she has when speaking about her research. When it comes to leadership qualities, I view Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s prime minister, as a role model because of the great effort she makes to address problems that really matter, such as combating climate change as well as gender inequality. What makes her truly stand out to me is her ability to combine an effective and empathetic leadership style, being able to show a large degree of empathy as well as solidarity with the country’s population throughout crises. 

What advice would you give your 17-year-old self, reflecting on your personal or professional  challenges, experiences or successes?

Don’t worry too much about the opinion of other people. There will always be someone who doesn't like what you’re doing or the way you're doing it. You should not allow that to hold you back in the development of your own, unique personality neither let it influence any choice you make. Let yourself be guided by your own curiosity and find what it is you have a true passion for, what motivates you to keep going and what truly makes you happy. At the end of the day, that is all that matters. And, as long as you are happy, people that genuinely care about you will be as well.