Elite fencing champion Nataly Michel represented Mexico in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. She joins Global Fund for Children as a Global Ambassador and plans to use her athletic background as a vehicle to encourage gender justice and youth power within the Americas.

“I believe that God, the universe, or the world has blessed me a lot and given me great joy, but at the same time I had great challenges, and I would like to help so that boys and girls do not experience those challenges. I look forward to working with children and young people to help influence the future of Mexico and the world.”

Nataly discovered fencing when she was ten years old and has since been smashing gender stereotypes in the world of sports. Today, she is considered one of the most important fencers in Mexican history. Her sports career includes 11 national championships, the first of which she won at the age of 14, making her the youngest athlete to achieve such a title. In 2016, Nataly had the opportunity to represent Mexico at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Nataly hopes to use her story and background as a source of inspiration for grassroots partners and the children and young people they serve. Her message is to dare to dream and to never give up.

“I would love to share my story; I was successful many times, but I also failed many times. I went through moments, good and bad, that helped me grow, and I understand that resilience, discipline, and self-love help you move forward – even when you have ‘failed.’”