Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Stephanie De Avila Montaña, MPH '26, Aims to Support Reproductive Justice in Latin America

Stephanie De Avila Montaña, MPH ’26, is dedicating her graduate studies to advancing reproductive justice for women in Latin America, with a particular focus on Colombia, a region she describes as overlooked and underserved. A Colombian‑Canadian raised in Calgary, she combines personal heritage with academic training to address systemic health inequities. Her journey into public health began unexpectedly during a research stint at Boston Children’s Hospital, where she engaged in community‑based participatory research on positive parenting. The experience sparked a broader interest in health systems, leading her to Harvard’s expansive graduate ecosystem, where she could draw on resources across twelve schools. Montaña highlights a pivotal elective class taken on a whim that solidified her career ambition. “That one class and that one adviser really helped me do that,” she says, underscoring how a single academic experience can redirect professional trajectories. The class’s project aligned with her passion, confirming reproductive justice as her focus. The implications are twofold: her advocacy may elevate policy attention and resource allocation for reproductive health in Latin America, and her story illustrates the power of interdisciplinary education to cultivate leaders who can bridge research, community engagement, and systemic change.