Valeria Berumen Ornelas
Nos sembraron miedo, nos crecieron alas.— Vivir Quintana
Valeria is an experienced journalist and communicator with more than 20 years of experience in various Mexican governmental institutions, media and international agencies. Throughout her career, she has specialized in human rights and public interest issues such as combating discrimination and racism, promoting the inclusion of refugees and children and adolescents' rights.
As part of Impacto Social Metropolitan Group, she is passionate about discovering how we can use the tools of innovation, creativity and communication to drive social change—she believes that if something is not communicated, it does not exist.
Her areas of expertise:
- Communications
- Public Relations
- Campaigns
- Human Rights
- Spokesperson and Media training
Experience
Valeria was a journalist for a decade, with a focus on politics and human rights.
At the National Council to Prevent Discrimination (CONAPRED), she served as Social Communication Leader where she coordinated crucial projects, such as the development of designing a uniquely accessible website for people experiencing disabilities. She was also instrumental in the production of a viral video titled Racismo en México. In addition, she represented Mexico as national coordinator of the campaign “SinTags: La discriminación no nos define” in the No Hate Speech Movement organized by the Council of Europe.
Valeria was also Deputy General Director of Dissemination, Information and Interlocution of the Executive Secretariat of the National System for the Integral Protection of Children and Adolescents (SIPINNA), where she used her knowledge and experience to train journalists and public officials on how to advocate using a children’s rights lens in more than 20 states of the country.
Before joining ISMG as senior director, she was a public information associate at the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Mexico where she launched their institutional Twitter account and participated in the creation and organization of initiatives such as “Palomazo por los Refugiados”, in pro bono alliance with W Radio—this project drew the participation of more than 20 artists.
In Community
As a journalist, Valeria initiated and collaborated with NGOs to promote freedom of expression, fight impunity and advance the professionalization of people working in the media.
She enjoys meeting new and diverse people, spending time with her friends, family, partner and her two adopted dogs. She loves all kinds of artistic expressions—especially ones that celebrate the rich, cultural heritage of Mexico, which is why she has a large tattoo of a Frida Kahlo painting.