Karen Otavalo 

Hometown: Newark, New Jersey  
School: Science Park High School

Karen Anahi Otavalo is originally from Ecuador and moved to the States when she was 11. Currently, she is the President of her school’s Youth Leadership club where they organize community-centered and creative initiatives that empower youth and support diverse causes. She is also a Youth Advisor for the Joy+Justice National Collaborative (formerly known as National Crittenton) where she has funded and conducted research on key youth-focused non-profits in the state of New Jersey. In the future she hopes to work alongside multilateral organizations to create a more sustainable world for marginalized communities. Participating in the NextGen program was truly life-changing since it introduced her to an incredible network of individuals and renewed her passion to spark positive change in her local community.