UNICEF & Environmental Projects

Daniela is an undergraduate student at Yale University majoring in Environmental Studies. Born and raised in Costa Rica, Daniela has founded several environmental initiatives that leverage art and education as powerful tools for change. In 2022, Daniela's first environmental children’s book on single-use plastics was published by EUNED (largest university press in Central America) and UNICEF. This book, now available in over 60 libraries, has also been adapted into an animated video. She is currently working on her second children’s book for the Global Environment Facility of the World Bank, which aims to educate children on the importance of biodiversity. Daniela has also founded and led a youth storm drain painting contest in Costa Rica in partnership with the Rotary Club Curridabat, Costa Rica, to raise awareness on one of the ocean’s pollution sources. At Yale, she is the co-founder and co-president of the Yale UNICEF chapter, and helped design Yale’s first-ever course fully focused on ocean conservation. Her professional experience includes internships with National Geographic’s Ocean Education team, the Global Environment Facility of the World Bank (where she advised the CEO on developing their youth engagement strategy), and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego.