2020
Nicoleta Paladi
- Age: 27
- | She/her/hers
Region:
Country of Origin:
Country of Residence:
Expertise Areas:
A world where girls and women can decide for themselves who they want to become is a gender-equal world. When our voices and visions are amplified in unison, we can create a just and more compassionate world where everyone can thrive.
- Nicoleta Paladi
Bio
Nicoleta Paladi is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. Her graduate project for NLC revolves around developing cities’ abilities to innovative in order to tackle the most pressing challenges of this century. She also works as a research assistant, investigating AI policymaking in developing countries, digital rights and inequalities. Before coming to Notre Dame, Nicoleta worked as an educational consultant in Nepal, and then for the Cybersecurity Programme Office at the Council of Europe. She is passionate about impacting technology’s potential for good and bridging the gender divide.
Nicoleta graduated from the American University in Bulgaria with BA degrees in political science and international relations and also in European studies. As a student, Nicoleta completed high-level internships at UNDP, the Moldovan Embassy and Consulate in Romania, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. An award-winning youth leader, Nicoleta was creating educational projects for youth and girls since she was 17 years old, in Moldova. Her efforts and advocacy led her to represent Moldova’s youth at global political conferences on democracy-building, European affairs, and social issues.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
My pursuit for gender equality was ignited by the inequalities that I have experienced growing up in Eastern Europe. Afterwards, while I was pursuing my bachelor degrees, I developed a scientific understanding of the pervasiveness of gender inequality in all the spheres of our lives. This has allowed me to put together the personal and the professional, and to fully grasp the multi-layered nature of the problem in front of us. By turning my pain into ambition and perseverance, I decided to embark on a journey of self-development. Ultimately, this would allow me to better serve this world, women and girls especially. As a tech for good advocate and professional, I am to uncover and tackle some of the biggest barriers that women face towards digital access, skills, and empowerment.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
As a gender equality advocate, my biggest win relies in the multitude of connections that I have built with the women and girls that I mentor and advise. While training dozens of girls, I became more aware not only of their struggles, the ones of the world, but also mine. The deep trust and connection that we have established fuels my advocacy and mentorship daily, and inspires me to become an established professional, ready to take on the challenges of gender equality.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
I am obsessed with reading, traveling, nature, dogs, and deep conversations.
Languages Spoken:
- French and Russian (intermediate); Romanian (Native); English (Fluent)
Publications:
