Lola was born in Panama, immigrated to Ireland in 2015, and joined Momentum as the Diversity Inclusion & Belonging EU Project Specialist four years ago. She brings over 20 years’ experience and a wealth of knowledge in the fields of inclusion, community empowerment, entrepreneurship, fashion, and volunteering. Settling into her new life in Leitrim without existing social and support networks made her sympathetic to the isolation many newcomers to Ireland feel. Her solution was to throw herself into her local community, joining local groups and volunteering her time for causes that matter to Lola.

Lola is an advocate for social justice. Over the last ten years, she has worked with various Leitrim authorities in projects that advance the integration of new communities in Ireland. She sits on the board of the Leitrim Volunteer Centre and is currently Deputy Chair of that board. Furthermore, she’s the representative for Carrick on Shannon in the Secretariat of the Leitrim Public Participation Network. She supports Leitrim Pride as an ally committee member as well. Most recently, she founded the women’s group Liatroma Women’s Collective which aims to advocate for and empower all women living in Leitrim.

All of her life experience and volunteer work is a beautiful foundation to her role as Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging EU Project Specialist at Momentum.  In her time off, Lola enjoys volunteering in causes that matter to her. She also enjoys being a foodie so trying new cafes or restaurant is a must! If you love to bake then swap recipes with her as in a previous life, she was the owner of a bakery. She shares her zest for life with her husband, and her loving cat Glenn.