Volunteer Committee Head, Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI)
Mexico
Pilar Parás is a distinguished leader in the field of civil society and philanthropy, with more than 25 years of experience advancing social impact across Mexico and Latin America. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from ITAM, where she was awarded the 2014 Professional Merit Award in the social category.
Pilar has dedicated her career to strengthening civic engagement, building cross-sector networks, and advancing public policy initiatives that drive meaningful change. She has served as both a board member and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (CEMEFI), and currently coordinates the steering committee of EnCausa, an initiative focused on connecting individuals with social causes.
She serves on the boards of several prominent organizations, including Hispanics in Philanthropy, IXIM A.C., Centro Comunitario Santa Fe A.C., and Appleseed Mexico. She is also the current President of the Board of Acción Ciudadana Frente a la Pobreza.
Pilar has been actively involved with Fundación Merced A.C. for over two decades, serving in multiple leadership roles including six years as Chair of its Board. Her regional and international engagement includes serving as Vice President of RedEAmérica. She is also a co-founder of Proeducación IAP, where she has held roles as Executive Director, Board President for ten years, and now continues to serve as a board member. Additionally, she contributed for six years as a member of the Private Assistance Board of Mexico City, representing the Education and Community Development sector.
Throughout her career, Pilar has been a driving force behind collaborative movements and initiatives such as Juntos por la Educación, Muévete por la Educación, UnidOSC, Ensamble, and Iniciativa Manifiesta, helping to align diverse stakeholders around shared goals for social transformation.
Pilar is a strong advocate for the power of collaboration, education, and civic participation as catalysts for change. She is also a devoted wife and mother of three, and is known for her ability to build meaningful connections that foster trust and amplify social impact.