Claudia Saavedra is a social entrepreneur, policy advocate, and global speaker whose work at the intersection of education, equity, and international policy has empowered hundreds and influenced thousands. As a first-generation American and college graduate, she is passionate about building systems that expand access to opportunity—and she’s been doing it since the age of 15.

At just 15, Claudia launched a college access initiative serving underserved youth, ultimately impacting over 400 individuals. By 20, she was elected to the Board of Trustees at County College of Morris, where she championed inclusive educational programming. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Rutgers University, Claudia earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Public Administration with a full scholarship as an Honors Living-Learning Community Scholar.

Claudia’s policy work spans from grassroots advocacy to global platforms. She has collaborated with the United Nations, Peace Boat, and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), leading a three-part campaign at Rutgers University and advancing a citywide resolution in Newark, NJ in support of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Her policy writing for Cargill has addressed diverse topics including food labeling, biotechnology, immigration, women’s equality, and global taxation.

A sought-after voice in global forums, Claudia has spoken on stages including the Aspen Ideas Festival and has been recognized by institutions such as Google (for Hispanic Heritage Month), The Rockefeller Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the Aspen Institute. She is an Aspen Institute Fellow, Dalai Lama Fellow (an organization authorized by the 14th Dalai Lama), Resolution Project Fellow, Management Leadership for Tomorrow Fellow, and Braven Fellow—a testament to her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to social change.