Grisel Olivo

Grisel Olivo, UnLocal’s new Director of Development, is responsible for guiding the organization’s long-term capacity-building and sustainable funding strategies. She leverages her broad experience and knowledge in social science, public health initiatives, and fundraising to enhance UnLocal’s diverse immigrant-serving programs.

Grisel was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and raised in New York City. She holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from New York University. Her professional achievements include establishing a city-wide residency program for aging artists and creating an open-source model for free outdoor community yoga with coaching for new teachers. She is also a co-founder and Board member of We Are Hyper, Inc., a cross-cultural think tank focused on human-centered socioeconomic development and advancing Japan-USA relations.

After spending transformative years as an educator in Japan, Grisel returned to the U.S. and became a strong advocate for human rights and sexual health rights and justice. She played a crucial supporting role in planning and implementing an international women’s summit in Zimbabwe in 2023.

In her free time, Grisel nurtures her mind and body through yoga and hiking, and channels her creativity through art. Her passion for human rights, diverse experiences, and commitment to societal progress remain at the heart of her personal and professional life.