KELEN QUINTANA

Hometown: Miramar, Florida
School: University of Florida
Majors: International Relation and Women’s Studies
Placement: The Office of Sen. Edward Markey

Kelen Quintana was born and raised in Miramar, Florida. She was raised by parents who both immigrated from Havana, Cuba, and she cherishes her Cuban cultural heritage and draws strength from it. As the first person in her family to attend University, Kelen highly values her education and seeks to expand her worldview and consider different perspectives. Kelen recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of the Arts in Women’s Studies and International Relations with a regional focus on Asia and a specialization in Japanese language. She has gained internship experience working with her state and local governments, as well as pursuing non-profit leadership roles. Kelen was also heavily involved in the University of Florida campus organizations, holding leadership positions in the University of Florida’s Hispanic Student Association and Women’s Student Association. She plans to continue her education by pursuing a Master’s in International Affairs and Development, specializing in human rights and gender development. Kelen’s background as a Cuban-American inspires her to work in the human rights and international development sectors. Her ultimate career goal is to work on gender development projects for developing nations at United Nations Women and the U.S. Department of State.

As a CHCI Intern, Kelen hopes to strengthen her knowledge of U.S international relations, understand the inner workings of the foreign affairs committee, and aspires to gain experience as a public servant that she can transmit into the rest of her career.