Cecilia Navas is the Founder and President of Youth and Democracy in the Americas (Y&D), an NGO with the mission to empower young regional leaders with the opportunity to work with diplomats, politicians, and local government officials. She has prior experience working in the field of advocacy, human rights, and public policy. In 2009 she created a non-profit called A Toy and a Smile as an initiative to help more than 1500 children in Venezuela. Cecilia, with the support of the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States Dr. Luis Almagro, created an event to honor the fallen young heroes of Venezuela, which has taken place at the OAS for three years in a row. She also organized the annual Summit of Youth and Democracy in the Americas at the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and the OAS, with more than 400 regional young leaders in attendance, as well as the annual Forum for the Strengthening of Democracy at Florida International University. Cecilia is a leading advocate for youth voices in the defense of democracy, freedom, and civil rights. She holds a degree in International Business from the Alejandro Humboldt University of Caracas and served as president of the Florida National University Student Government Association.