# Paola Villarreal > Mexican computer programmer and innovator **Wikidata**: [Q71239983](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q71239983) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paola_Villarreal) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paola-villarreal ## Summary Paola Villarreal is a Mexican computer programmer and innovator recognized for her work in computer science and data analysis. She is best known for using her technical expertise to address social justice issues, having held significant roles at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCYT). ## Biography - **Born:** October 5, 1984, in Mexico City - **Nationality:** Mexican - **Known for:** Innovation in computer programming and data science for social advocacy - **Employer(s):** American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Snap Inc., Xamarin, Laboratorio para la Ciudad, Harvard University - **Field(s):** Computer science, software engineering, data analysis ## Contributions Paola Villarreal has built a career focused on the practical application of computer science to solve complex real-world problems. At the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), she utilized data science to analyze and visualize information related to social justice and civil rights. Her work in the public sector includes a tenure at the Laboratorio para la Ciudad in Mexico City, where she contributed to projects aimed at improving urban life through technology and data-driven innovation. Furthermore, she held a significant role at the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías (CONAHCYT), Mexico's primary agency for science and technology policy. In the private sector, she contributed to the engineering teams at Xamarin, focusing on mobile software development, and later worked at Snap Inc. Her contributions are defined by a unique ability to translate complex technical processes into tools for public benefit, particularly in the realms of data transparency and civic engagement. This multidisciplinary approach has allowed her to lead projects that bridge the gap between technical software engineering and social advocacy, resulting in her recognition as a global innovator. ## FAQs ### Q: Who is Paola Villarreal? A: Paola Villarreal is a Mexican computer programmer and data scientist known for her work in social justice and public policy. She has worked for major organizations like the ACLU and was named to the BBC 100 Women list in 2019. ### Q: What awards has Paola Villarreal received? A: In 2019, Paola Villarreal was honored as one of the BBC 100 Women, a list recognizing influential and inspiring women from around the world. This award highlighted her contributions as a computer programmer and innovator. ### Q: Where has Paola Villarreal worked? A: Villarreal has held positions at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Snap Inc., and Xamarin. In Mexico, she has worked for the Laboratorio para la Ciudad and the National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCYT). ## Why They Matter Paola Villarreal is a significant figure because she demonstrates the power of "tech for good." By applying her skills as a computer scientist and programmer to the non-profit and public sectors, she has influenced how data is used to advocate for civil liberties. Her work with the ACLU provided a template for how data-driven analysis can support legal and social advocacy. In Mexico, her involvement with CONAHCYT and the Laboratorio para la Ciudad helped modernize the way the government interacts with technology and urban data. Her recognition as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2019 highlights her status as a global leader for women in STEM. She serves as a vital link between the fast-paced world of private software development (seen in her work at Snap Inc. and Xamarin) and the mission-driven world of public policy. Without her influence, the integration of sophisticated data analysis into Mexican civic innovation and international civil rights work would be less advanced. Her career path encourages other developers to apply their technical talents to address systemic social challenges. ## Notable For - **BBC 100 Women:** Named to the prestigious list in 2019 for her work as a programmer and innovator. - **Social Justice Advocacy:** Served as a data scientist for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). - **Public Service Leadership:** Held a key role at the Mexican National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies (CONAHCYT). - **Civic Innovation:** Contributed to the Laboratorio para la Ciudad, an experimental office for urban creativity in Mexico City. ## Body ### Professional Career and Employers Paola Villarreal has a diverse professional background spanning international tech companies and public service. - **ACLU:** She worked with the American Civil Liberties Union, focusing on the intersection of technology and civil rights. - **CONAHCYT:** She served at the Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencias y Tecnologías, Mexico's primary entity for science and technology. - **Private Sector:** Her experience includes roles at Xamarin, a mobile app development platform, and Snap Inc. - **Public Innovation:** She was part of the Laboratorio para la Ciudad in Mexico City, an experimental office for civic innovation and urban creativity. - **Academic Affiliation:** Her career includes an association with Harvard University (Berkman Klein Center). ### Recognition and Influence Villarreal's work has gained international recognition for its impact on technology and society. - **BBC 100 Women:** In 2019, she was included in this list for her contributions as a programmer. - **Digital Presence:** She maintains a significant online presence via her website (paw.mx) and Twitter account (@paw), where she has over 23,000 followers as of 2023. - **Global Reach:** Her Wikipedia presence spans multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian, reflecting her international influence. ### Technical Expertise As a computer scientist and programmer, Villarreal's skills encompass software engineering and data analysis. Her work often involves using these tools to analyze complex datasets to provide insights into social and urban issues. She has been categorized as a software engineer and computer scientist within the industrial and service sectors. ## References 1. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pawmx/) 2. [Adios CDMX.](https://paw.mx/post/120455687914/adios-cdmx) 3. [BBC 100 Women 2019: Who is on the list this year?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-50042279)