Lauren is an academic and social entrepreneur specialising in law, innovation, and social justice. She is from the town of Tilarán in the Northern part of the province of Guanacaste. Lauren has embraced the cause of transforming the Costa Rican prison system. Her passion for social change and education led her to found the Fundación Nueva Oportunidad in 2012, a pioneer organisation designing processes for socio-labour insertion and rehabilitation for inmates in Costa Rica.
In her role as Director of Fundación Nueva Oportunidad, Lauren co-founded ‘Unlock’ alongside a group of inmates, a circular economy business unit operated by inmates at the UAI Reynaldo Villalobos prison facility. This innovative management model is a regional example of designing local solutions with the potential to achieve systemic change.
Lauren has also served as a lecturer at the Escuela de Administración at the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica for over a decade, teaching courses in areas such as law, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and actively collaborating at the Centro de Desarrollo Gerencial. Her expertise also extends to consulting in social innovation, innovation management, and entrepreneurship development. As a consultant, she has advised small businesses and public institutions in adopting sustainable practices and participatory design processes.
Lauren has received numerous accolades, including the title of Ashoka Fellow and Global Shaper of the World Economic Forum. She has also been honoured by programmes such as the Young Leaders of America Initiative and Forbes Central America and has shared her expertise as a speaker at TEDx talks, as well as at various national and international events. Her work remains deeply rooted in the promotion of public policies that prioritize equity, dignity, and access to justice—especially for excluded populations.
Lauren holds a degree in Law from the Universidad de Costa Rica and a degree in Business Administration from the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica, with a specialisation in innovation and additional studies in criminology and human security. Lauren also holds a Master’s in Penal and Legal Sociology from the University for International Cooperation, along with several specializations in innovation.
Her interdisciplinary approach integrates criminology, human-centered design, behavioral science, and innovation methodologies, allowing her to design systemic interventions in areas such as circular economy, gender-based violence prevention, and youth entrepreneurship. Her greatest inspiration is the construction of more just and equitable societies—driven by the firm belief that a better world is possible.
I am inspired by the possibility of building a world where no one is left behind. Witnessing people who have been marginalised reclaim their voice, dignity, and autonomy reminds me why this work matters. I am also moved by the collective resilience of women, youth, and incarcerated individuals who, despite adversity, imagine different futures. My commitment is rooted in the belief that change is possible when we lead with empathy, deep listening, and collective action.Lauren Díaz Arias