At CLDP, I can honestly say that I feel empowered to apply my unique perspective, education, skills, and desire to give back as a public servant, where I am lucky enough to get to work to create and foster conditions for economic growth and opportunity for communities at home and abroad. My culture also instilled in me selflessness, which sparked my desire to be part of something greater than myself and eventually directed my career path to the Department of Commerce. Growing up where I did, I was always made aware of the fact that I was different, so because of that I am very proud to be a Latina with Salvadoran, Puerto Rican, and Mayan heritage. I feel very fortunate to have grown up with many strong female leaders who encouraged me to push myself to succeed, but the greatest inspiration in my life has always been my father who immigrated to the U.S. I grew up in Orange County, California, with two older brothers, loving parents, and several pets. I later studied abroad in Vienna, Austria, where I earned a Master of Art’s in International Relations focusing on Irregular Migration. I went to college in California and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a focus on Business Law and a minor in International Politics. There I started the Wonder Women Club to teach Georgian girls and women about global women’s history.

Before joining CLDP, I served as a volunteer for the U.S. I have worked at CLDP for almost four years, primarily focusing my efforts on the South Caucasus, Eastern Europe, and Latin America regions. My name is Nicolette Mena, and I am an International Program Specialist at the Commerce Department’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP). By Nicolette Mena, International Program Specialist, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)

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