For Aspire alumni Valentina Lazaro and Nicolás Mejía, PyCon US 2026 represented more than a professional achievement. It was an opportunity to share their work with one of the world’s largest technology communities while representing Bolivia on a global stage.
Held annually in the United States, PyCon US is the largest conference dedicated to the Python programming language, bringing together developers, researchers, educators, students, and technology professionals from around the world. Through presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities, participants exchange ideas, showcase innovative projects, and contribute to the growth of the global open-source community.
This year, two Aspire alumni from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, earned the opportunity to attend and present their work at the conference, demonstrating how emerging leaders are using technology to solve problems, strengthen communities, and create impact beyond their borders.
From Aspire to the Global Python Community
Both Lazaro and Mejía attended PyCon US 2026 through highly competitive selection processes that recognized their technical expertise and commitment to the technology community.
Lazaro, an ALP 2023 alumna, was selected as both a speaker and a recipient of a Travel Grant awarded by the Python Software Foundation and the PyLadies Foundation. The opportunity enabled her to travel from Bolivia to the United States and share her research with an international audience.
“Being selected both as a speaker and as a travel grant recipient was an exciting milestone. It allowed me to travel from Bolivia to the United States, present my research, connect with inspiring members of the global Python community, and experience one of the most influential technology conferences in the world” she mentioned.
Mejía, an ALP 2025 Cohort 2 alumnus, also attended PyCon US through a scholarship that supported his participation in the conference.
“This support made it possible for me to participate in an event that would otherwise have been difficult to access, and it was a very meaningful experience both professionally and personally” he emphasized.
For both alumni, the conference provided an opportunity to learn from global experts, connect with fellow innovators, and demonstrate the talent emerging from Bolivia’s growing technology ecosystem.
Using Technology to Solve Real-World Problems
While both alumni presented at the same conference, their projects addressed very different challenges.
Lazaro’s presentation, “How Can Python Help Detect Early Signals in University Mental Health?”, focused on using technology to identify potential mental health risks among university students. Her research explored how early detection systems can help institutions recognize warning signs and provide support before challenges escalate.
My advice to other alumni is to actively look for opportunities and not hesitate to apply, even if they feel competitive
“Sharing my work with others and seeing their interest in the topic was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience” she reflected.
The presentation generated meaningful discussions about how the approach could be adapted across different institutions and communities, highlighting the potential for technology to contribute to student well-being on a larger scale.
Meanwhile, Mejía’s presentation, “Build Interactive Web Applications with Python: Streamlit and Supabase in Action”, focused on making technology more accessible to developers.
His session demonstrated how complete interactive web applications can be built using Python, Streamlit, and Supabase without requiring advanced frontend development or infrastructure expertise.
“It was an incredible experience to share this with the international Python community” he recalled.
Together, their presentations reflected the versatility of technology, showing how Python can be used both to address social challenges and to empower innovation through accessible development tools.
Continuing to Lead Beyond the Classroom
Both alumni have continued building leadership experience beyond their academic achievements.
Lazaro recently graduated with honors in Information Systems Engineering and currently works in the insurance industry, where she develops AI-powered solutions and improves business processes through Microsoft technologies. She also remains actively involved with Aspire as a Community Leader, organizing city events and supporting alumni engagement initiatives in Bolivia.
Mejía currently works as a Junior Business Intelligence Analyst at SPARTAN DE BOLIVIA SRL while contributing to the growth of local technology communities. His involvement includes supporting community initiatives and helping empower women in technology through Women Techmakers Santa Cruz.
For both alumni, leadership extends beyond technical expertise. It includes creating opportunities for others, strengthening communities, and sharing knowledge that can benefit future generations of innovators.
Advice for Future Aspire Alumni
Although they participated in different Aspire cohorts, both Lazaro and Mejía credit Aspire with helping prepare them to pursue international opportunities. Through the program, they developed leadership skills, expanded their global perspectives, and gained confidence in their ability to contribute to conversations beyond their local communities.
For Mejía, Aspire played an important role in encouraging him to pursue opportunities such as PyCon and submit applications that once felt out of reach.
“The Aspire Leaders Program played a key role in strengthening my leadership skills and gave me the tools and confidence to pursue international opportunities and submit strong applications,” he said.
Reflecting on their journeys, both alumni emphasized that growth often begins with the courage to take the first step, whether that means applying for a scholarship, submitting a conference proposal, or sharing an idea with the world.
“Many students and young professionals struggle with imposter syndrome, as I did, or fear that they are not good enough to apply for opportunities like these. However, I believe it takes courage to invest in yourself. Even when you feel afraid or uncertain, you have to be the first person to believe in your potential.” — Valentina Lazaro
“My advice to other alumni is to actively look for opportunities and not hesitate to apply, even if they feel competitive. It’s important to stay engaged in communities, contribute to projects, and build a network, as these often open unexpected doors.” — Nicolás Mejía
