Greater Boston
Over the past decade, Carlos has helped reshape pathways into public service by leading campaigns that expanded paid internships across Congress, the White House, the State Department, and state government, contributing to nearly $150 million in federal funding. But his work has never been about internships alone. It has been about understanding how institutions decide who gets access to opportunity and how ordinary people can redesign those systems so talent, rather than privilege, determines who gets to rise. Today, Carlos serves at Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership, where he develops emerging leaders while continuing to explore how institutions create, distribute, and sustain opportunity. His work bridges research, storytelling, and real-world policy change, offering audiences both a behind-the-scenes look at how systems actually work and practical lessons on how to change them. Originally from Colombia, Carlos immigrated to California with his family in search of a safer future. After experiencing poverty, foreclosure during the 2008 housing crisis, and multiple unpaid internships, he founded Pay Our Interns with less than $2,000. What began as a grassroots campaign evolved into a national movement whose research, policy solutions, and organizing have influenced lawmakers, scholars, journalists, and emerging movements across the country. Carlos has testified before Congress and state legislatures, advised nonprofits, foundations, and public agencies, and been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, NBC Latino's Top 20 Changemakers, Aspen Ideas, Echoing Green, Camelback Ventures, and Hispanics in Philanthropy. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, NPR, CNN, and dozens of other national media outlets. Whether speaking to elected officials, university leaders, nonprofits, philanthropists, or students, Carlos challenges audiences to rethink one fundamental question: Who gets to rise, and what would it take to redesign opportunity so more people can? *Any posts, views, or statements are mine and not those of any of my current or past employers.*
Gleitsman Leadership Fellowships are awarded to students with a strong background in—or strong potential for—leadership in social activism. Gleitsman Leadership Fellows are committed to tackling complex social problems by enabling, empowering, and inspiring collective social action. Founded thanks to the generosity of the Estate of Alan Gleitsman.
I manage the Equity Fellowship Program which provides generous scholarships to top-tier students from all backgrounds who plan to devote their careers to understanding and dismantling barriers to equity across society. The fellowship supports students who focus on issues in: - the United States Black community, - the United States Latino community, -other marginalized populations. The program strengthens the capacity for public leadership through reflection, mentorship, and skill building. Learn more: https://cpl.hks.harvard.edu/equity-fellowship
Pay Our Interns (POI) is the nation’s leading organization fighting to ensure that all people, everywhere have equitable access to professional career paths through the implementation of paid internships nationwide. In the time span of five years, POI made history by successfully pushing Congress to pass $150 million in funding for Congressional, White House, and State Department interns. This funding has created over 30,000 paid internships. POI is supported by Lumina Foundation, Democracy Fund Voice, Schmidt Futures, New Profit, Echoing Green, Camelback Ventures, College Futures Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and many more. Carlos’s efforts on Capitol Hill led him to be named a Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree, Echoing Green Global Fellow, Camelback Ventures Fellow, a Top 20 Changemaker by NBC Latino, and an Aspen Ideas Fellow. Previously he organized janitors and worked at the White House and the European Parliament. His work has been highlighted by The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, NPR, Rolling Stone, NBC Latino, Fox News, Bloomberg Law and USA Today. If you’re passionate about making our institutions more reflective, want him to come speak at your school/conference or want to help support Pay Our Interns, email him at [email protected]
The Líderes fellowship cultivates a diverse group of mid-career Latino/a/x in philanthropy and nonprofits to promote systemic change through racial healing in a safe environment that supports their ability to advance equity in the field while strengthening their professional development and fostering new relationships. The program works towards the creation of a philanthropic sector that truly represents the communities it serves.
I was a previous grantee of Lumina Foundation's Racial and Equity Fund. I was then invited to be part of the committee responsible for selecting grantees for 2022. My duties entailed reviewing proposals and making recommendations on who should be funded. In 2021, the committee ended up investing $3 million in nine organizations.
Part of the Civic Lab, an initiative at New Profit that invests in and supports entrepreneurs building civic trust and an inclusive democracy in America. The fellowship also came with $100,000 in funding.