Danièla Degraux, Global Engagement

PSYDEH’s dynamic staff is one of the reasons why we are a paradigm-changing Mexican grassroots organization.  

Our team is much more diverse than our peers, with people from all over the world representing diverse professional backgrounds. Having a multi-disciplinary team is by design; it is one of our Value Propositions. We thrive because of the diversity of our staff, partners, and allies. 

We hope you enjoy this personal interview with Danièla Degraux, Global Engagement.

What did you study in college or in life? How do you explain your career and professional interests?

I first graduated from EHSAL, Brussels, where I obtained my degree in International Business. 10 years later, I obtained a Master’s in Comparative and International Politics at the KU Leuven. I wrote my thesis about Peace journalism during the Afghan War.

What languages do you speak?

I’m Belgian Mexican. I was raised in Brussels in French and Spanish but studied in Dutch and English.

I’m currently based in Mexico City where I collaborate part-time with PSYDEH. I focus on Global Engagement, especially on the Dutch, French, and English-speaking markets. I’m also co-leading the second edition of “Se Dueña de Tu Voz” (Own Your Voice) with Alejandro Enríquez, PSYDEH’s Field Trainer.

What do you like most about Mexico?

What I love the most about Mexico is the magic and authenticity of the different places in and around Mexico City. Moreover, I feel emotionally attached to the country through my Mexican family, especially my grandmother.

Who is the woman you admire the most and how has she impacted your life?

Among others, my grandmother is one of the women I admire most – for her strength in life as well as for the intense love she was always able to transmit to her granddaughters whether they were united during the holidays, or separated at other times.

Why did you decide to invest in PSYDEH and its work?

I have always been conscious about how the environment you are born in impacts the opportunities you get in life, and in that sense, I feel lucky. For this reason, as well as opportunistic timing, I decided to join the civil society organizations. By giving Mexican Indigenous women a voice, we defend international values like gender equality, women empowerment, and solidarity. In addition to wanting to promote these values, I’m attracted to PSYDEH because of its ground-up approach to sustainable development.

What impact do you want to make with PSYDEH?

Every collaborator within PSYDEH is different on so many levels. We come from opposite parts of the world, have different backgrounds, education, visions, personalities… With our collaboration, I hope to add my own uniqueness to our fight against economic, social, and gender inequality.

Follow Danièla on LinkedIn.