Just a little about me . . . Helena Falla Añez!
With Shark Kevin Harrington
With Author Raymond Aaron
With Blogger John Chow
Early Life and Education
I was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. My parents were also born in Colombia. My Dad, Héctor Eduardo Falla, was born in Mariquita, Tolima and my Mom, Ana Rosa Añez, in Bogotá; however, my relatives came from Spain and England.
While attending the Translation and Interpretation School at Universidad del Rosario, the Youth for Understanding Exchange Student Program awarded me with a scholarship to attend Terre Haute South Vigo in Terre Haute, Indiana where I received a second-High School Diploma. And under the Community Scholarship Program, I obtained a Liberal Arts/Legal Bachelor of Arts degree from The College of Art and Sciences at American University in Washington, D.C.
Career
I acquired my professional experience working for a bank, various legal offices, an adoption agency, a human capital consulting firm, an actuarial corporation, an international organization, a couple of satellite communications retailers, a private sector building management and hospitality service provider, a Fortune 500 global power company, a labor union, a hands-on concrete contractor, a real estate investment trust, a college, and a United States government independent agency in the Washington Metropolitan area.
Since 2017, I have been managing my own business.
Community Service
From an early age, I have been serving my communities. While growing up in Bogotá, I devoted part of my weekends to teaching underprivileged communities to read and write.
When I moved to the Washington Metropolitan Area, I participated in “El Festival Latino” wearing one of Colombian’s typical attires, and later became one of founders and Vice-President of Casa de Colombia in Washington, D.C.
I became an Assistant Teacher for the Spanish Catholic Center After School Program and also undertook the Sunday Adult Program teaching English as a Second Language.
I volunteered for the Organization of American States, Martha’s Table, and Georgetown University Hospital serving the local community in different roles.
I served on the Board of Directors of the American Adoption Agency, and the Bryn Mawr and The Towers Condominiums.
Personal Accomplishments
I made many people realize their dreams: becoming a legal documented person in the United States, obtaining their first jobs, becoming entrepreneurs, purchasing their first home and even entering college for the first time.