DIEGO TOLEDO BUGARINI

Diego is a dynamic young professional with a proven track record in project management, partnerships, and fundraising across international NGOs and social enterprises. With experience leading diverse initiatives—from coordinating high-impact grant proposals to mentoring students in human rights projects—Diego combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to social justice. Diego has a degree in International Relations (UCC), and has participated in an exchange program at Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Bogotá.

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Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I grew up in Argentina as a first-generation college student in a family without university degrees or professional networks. My journey is one of perseverance and curiosity—shaped by the values of patience, resilience, and empathy.

From an early age, I felt the need to contribute to a more just and equitable world, which eventually led me to study International Relations. During college, I got involved in a wide range of projects, from grassroots initiatives to research, teaching at university, and working with nonprofits.

Getting my first (paid) job wasn’t easy—without previous connections and not living in Buenos Aires, I faced barriers. But I was lucky enough to be interviewed by an amazing and kind leader, Kristin Antin, who saw potential in me and hired me to join her team at HURIDOCS. That was a turning point in my career. From there on, I worked with multilateral organisations like the OAS and UNDP and later specialised in human rights, climate action, and the nonprofit sector, contributing to fundraising, project implementation, and knowledge management.

Alongside this, I’m a yoga and Pilates instructor and find so much joy in teaching and community- building. I actually discovered many leadership skills by having the courage to pursue this career path as well!

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

From my point of view, these are hard times to be living in Argentina. We’re still in the turmoil of political polarisation, making it difficult to reach fundamental consensus on the kind of nation we want to be and to establish clear, shared priorities for our government representatives to pursue. There’s a persistent challenge of deep social inequality and unequal access to opportunities. Though inflation rates have been reduced and “controlled,” we haven’t overcome economic instability. The job market is shrinking - especially for young people, whether professionals or not- and opportunities for quality, well-paid jobs are limited. Talented people who have the chance often leave the country to build a better life abroad.

The last few years have also been hard for the national public education system, especially universities, which are underfunded.

Addressing climate change and protecting the environment are also critical challenges. Although Argentina has enacted important environmental laws - like the Forest Law, the Glacier Law, and the Fire Management Law - governments have not effectively implemented many of these. Much of this has to do with our economic models and development strategies. The current government has a public attitude that downplays environmental issues, withdrew Argentina’s representation from COP29, and downgraded the Ministry of Environment to an Undersecretariat.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

Growing up in a family without professional networks, I had to learn how to navigate the professional world on my own. Breaking into competitive internships, securing international roles, and building a career in the social impact sector hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced financial limitations, lots of rejections—like almost everyone—and the uncertainty of defining a clear path without a mentor.

I’ve handled these hurdles by staying patient, seeking support where I could, learning from each setback, and focusing on my long-term vision. Exploring different roles, settings, and topics has been an asset - it’s helped me better understand what excites me most, what I’m good at, and how to connect all of that. Volunteering and giving back have also helped me stay grounded.

There was a time when I overworked a lot to gain experience until I burned out. I can’t say I regret it, because I’ve learned so much, but I realised at a young age that our health and wellbeing must come first.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

Having a mentor is key for unlocking the perspective, guidance, and encouragement I often lacked growing up. It’s a chance to learn from someone who’s walked a similar path, who can challenge me to think strategically, and who can share knowledge that isn’t easily found in books or courses. For me, a mentor is a sounding board and an ally in building a fulfilling career in the social impact sector. It’s just great to have someone holding your hand along the way, who gets to know you and can offer insights based on both the personal relationship you build and the life experience they can share.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Patience is a superpower. In a world that pushes for quick results, I’ve learned that meaningful change - both personal and collective - takes time. To create a strategy, to reflect and identify lessons, to build meaningful relationships- everything takes time. To be patient is also to be kind- to yourself and to others. Progress may feel slow, but persistence and trust in the process can create opportunities beyond what we imagine.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

I recently started volunteering for a high-impact local NGO called FUNDEPS. FUNDEPS is a human rights organisation that has been working in Córdoba for over 15 years. They are great at working with communities, other organisations, and institutions to make concrete, long-lasting changes in policy.

Among other things, FUNDEPS has played a vital role in promoting citizen participation around environmental causes — like protecting San Roque Lake, which provides drinking water to over a million people, supporting the implementation of the IVE Law (Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy) across the state, and conducting research, capacity-building for grassroots organisations and advocacy for access to public information on key human rights and public policy issues.

What I love about their work is not only their kindness and their inclusion of young people, but also their human rights and federal perspective, creating an impactful agenda that connects local needs with national and international trends.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

I’m not a gender specialist, but I know we’re experiencing setbacks in the fight for gender equality. The national government’s dismantling of gender policies - including closing key programmes and the institutional dismantling of the former Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity - has deepened inequalities and exposed women and people of colour to greater levels of violence and precarity. 

It’s concerning to see state mechanisms for the protection and promotion of rights being weakened. That’s why it’s urgent to sustain and strengthen the feminist and community networks that continue resisting at the local and subnational levels. From my point of view, current government leaders are also legitimising violence and hatred against the LGBTQ+ community through their public discourse - steps backward in the fight against homophobia and transphobia. People living with HIV are also facing challenges in accessing the resources and medicines they need.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

This is a hard one. 

"Take it easy, one step at a time, giving the best you can give each day of your life." To me, this is about kindness, authenticity, self-respect, and commitment. It’s more of a mantra than a motto. 😅 

A motto I like is "Nadie se salva solo." This is a deeply rooted idea/idiom for many people in Argentina. It doesn’t have an exact English translation - maybe the closest would be "unity makes strength"- but the meaning is a little different. It’s a reminder that we need others not just to thrive, but to survive. In times when we’re paradoxically isolated by social media, valuing relationships from an instrumental point of view and struggling to secure the best life conditions for ourselves, it’s important to remember that to be fulfilled as human beings, we all need each other. You can have your desires and ambitions as an individual, but solidarity and social awareness are equally important.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I would love to found an NGO at some point in my life. I already have some ideas in mind. I want to connect my passion and respect for yoga with a programme that supports young and elderly people experiencing mental health challenges. In a country with so many economic hardships, mental health services are often seen as a privilege - but I believe we must change this mindset and start recognising mental health as a vital part of human and economic development. I have received generous support from therapists during difficult times in my life, and that has helped me realise how important mental health is and has ignited in me a desire to give back.

Q: How is technology utilised for social impact in your country? For example are there mobile apps that support gender equality, inclusion, understanding of cultures?

Technology is a powerful tool for activism and social change in Argentina. Apps like "Botón de Pánico" have helped to protect women at risk of gender-based violence. Social media platforms are widely used for raising awareness, mobilising protests and connecting communities. However, access to technology is still unequal, which remains a challenge.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add?  

I’m grateful for the chance to be part of this programme. I want to thank Lucia Sucari, from Argentina, who was my mentor during the first month of the programme, and Miles Templeman, who stepped in from there, and is doing a great job as my mentor! I hope my story encourages others to keep learning, stay hopeful and continue working towards a more just and equitable society.