After decades as a working artist, I’ve come to realize that creative careers are often shaped by moments that seem small at the time.

For me, one of those moments happened as an art student at UNC-Chapel Hill, when my professor, Carla House, told me, “You have a voice. You need to go with it.”

I have always believed that the most meaningful things we build are not buildings or programs, but communities.

Growing up in Medellín, Colombia, I was a competitive swimmer and water polo athlete with the Colombian National Team. Sports taught me discipline, resilience, and the power of teamwork. They also taught me something I carry with me to this day: People thrive when they feel connected to something larger than themselves.