Daniela Veloza’s mother emigrated from Colombia to the United States in search of a better life and greater opportunities for her family. Daniela was born in South Florida, growing up in a strong mosaic community of new Americans and ample access to swimming recreation, her favorite pastime.
Daniela has always admired her mother, particularly for her mother’s fearlessness, resiliency, and ambition in making South Florida their new home. Daniela’s early talent in swimming was recognized by a local recruiter, who connected her to sponsorship to compete in Colombian swimming competitions. Motivated by her love for the sport and inspired by her mother’s powerful values, Daniela trained to become a semi-professional swimmer in long-distance events, traveling regularly to Colombia and representing the country in international competitions. She went on to become an 18-time Colombian national medalist, though what she most appreciated from the experience was the ability to connect with her rich heritage.
Daniela identified her early professional passion for the intersection of consumer products and social impact through her undergraduate work-study employment. Daniela served as the manager of the Harvard Shop and was eventually elected as the first chief operating officer for the Harvard Student Agencies, one of the world’s largest student-run businesses with over 600 student employees. Leading her organization to maximize wages and promote employment opportunities for fellow students, Daniela felt empowered to pursue her vision in the private sector.
Daniela built her management career at Bain & Company, where she also dedicated her free time to promoting greater socioeconomic, racial, and gender representation among North American offices and leading pro-bono casework for local Boston nonprofit organizations. Daniela went on to lead strategic planning at Coca-Cola FEMSA in Mexico, where she gained a deeper understanding of other Latin American cultures and the immense social responsibility of the consumer products industry. Daniela graduated cum laude from Harvard University with degrees in economics and philosophy. Following her MBA, Daniela hopes to lead a high-growth consumer brand that services the US Latinx community and cultivates positive social impact across DE&I, sustainability, and wellness.
