Valeria Gomez Palacios is a public policy professional passionate about a human rights approach to development with experience working with Latin American governments, the nonprofit sector, and multilateral organizations. She holds a Masters in International Affairs with expertise in Economic and Political Development and a regional focus in Latin America from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). 

Valeria currently serves as a Consultant for both the Governance Laboratory (Govlab) and the Center on International Cooperation (CIC). At the Govlab, she advances civic engagement and democratic governance through action-oriented research. As a Consultant for CIC, she serves as the Network Coordinator for the Peace in our Cities Initiative, which works with mayors and partner organizations worldwide to reduce urban violence in cities.

Previously, she worked at the Organization of American States to promote access to justice for marginalized communities in Latin America. During her graduate studies, she was a Consultant for the Inter-American Development Bank’s Innovation and Citizen Services Division on a project to promote public sector innovation and served as a Research Assistant for Amnesty International Regional Director at Columbia Law School and the Women, Peace, and Security Program at Columbia’s Earth Institute. 

Given her work to promote democracy and social development in Nicaragua, she was selected as a European Commission/One Young World Peace Ambassador. Her work as a civil society advocate was featured in the book How to Make A Difference, given her work to promote human rights legislation. Valeria also serves as a Program Manager and Civil Society Representative to the United Nations for her organization Global Emergency Response and Assistance, which provides community assistance to those affected by conflicts.