Yolima Vélez
Yolima Vélez is a seasoned advocate for gender equity and children’s rights, with over two decades of experience designing and implementing programs to protect vulnerable populations in Colombia and beyond. She holds a Master’s degree in Gender Equity from the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and a specialization in Senior Management from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Her work seamlessly integrates strategic leadership, social impact, and a deeply human approach, focusing on ensuring that gender equity and childhood protection go hand in hand. As the founder and president of Fundación Mujeres, Yolima has led initiatives to prevent gender-based violence and protect the rights of children and adolescents in Colombia. She has played a key role in shaping national policies, including contributing to the creation of the Presidential High Counsel for Women and municipal Women’s Offices. Her experience spans academic roles as a university lecturer and hands-on project leadership in diverse Colombian territories, always emphasizing empowerment, social justice, and the translation of rights into tangible protections for marginalized communities. Currently based in the United States for security reasons, Yolima continues her advocacy through local volunteer work at the Cleveland Clinic and the development of psychosocial support programs for migrants and survivors. Her professional philosophy centers on empathy, solidarity, and culturally informed support, turning vulnerability into action and dignity. Recognized three times as Woman of the Year in Meta, Colombia, her career reflects a steadfast commitment to transforming realities and ensuring that equity and protection are not only principles but lived experiences.
• Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha - M.A.
• Woman of the Year
• Cleveland Clinic
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my deep passion for protecting and advancing the rights of women and children. Working in this field requires genuine empathy—the ability to put myself in someone else’s shoes and truly understand their struggles, even if I have never experienced them myself. My capacity for understanding and compassion has been my greatest strength and has guided me throughout my career.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to be true to myself and always lead with empathy. Staying authentic and approaching every situation with understanding has guided my decisions, strengthened my relationships, and shaped the way I lead.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to always strive to see things objectively, while leading with empathy. Even when you don’t fully understand someone’s experiences—for example, why a woman may stay in an abusive situation—approaching the situation with compassion and understanding is crucial. Balancing objectivity with empathy will help you make thoughtful decisions and positively impact those you serve.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is securing consistent funding for nonprofits. Limited resources can make it difficult to expand programs, support staff, and reach the communities that need us most. At the same time, this challenge presents an opportunity to innovate—finding creative solutions, building strong partnerships, and advocating more effectively for the causes we care about.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, integrity, and solidarity. As a Catholic and a feminist, I embrace the balance between my spiritual beliefs and my commitment to advancing women’s rights, even when it may seem challenging to reconcile the two. Acting with confidence, leading ethically, and standing in support of women are central to how I approach my work. Family is also a cornerstone of my life, and nurturing those relationships remains deeply important to me.