Lawyer, scholar, and advocate among others, Anna Mae Lamentillo wears many hats—and she does so in the name of development and inclusivity
From a child grappling with a speech impediment to a globally recognized advocate, Anna Mae Lamentillo is a powerful reminder that our struggles are fuel and not pitfalls. Today, she is reshaping the future of cities, technology, and digital equity in ways that are anything but conventional. Her path proves that determination and vision can break boundaries—whether in the boardroom or the streets of Manila.
RELATED: Anna Mae Lamentillo Offers the Country a Deal Towards Lasting Change
A Tale of Overcoming
Growing up in the historically marginalized Karay-a ethnolinguistic community, Anna Mae had no choice but to become resilient. As a child with a stutter, she often felt the pressure to do more—to prove herself. Speaking was tough, but what she lacked in fluency, she made up for in determination. Numbers became her language, and problem-solving her safe space.
Years later, as she walked the halls of Oxford University, Anna Mae reflected on how those early obstacles had shaped her drive. “Back then, my favorite subject was math, and speaking was a challenge due to my diction problems. The idea that this young, hesitant child would one day study at Oxford seemed like an impossible dream,” she shared. Now, she is facing the fight to address global issues, from lackluster urban planning to digital exclusion.
The Academic Blueprint
Anna Mae’s story is grounded in education, and her Development Communication degree at the University of the Philippines Los Baños propelled her journey. Graduating cum laude, she mastered more than the art of communication, but its usage for speaking up for underserved communities, using words as tools for change.
Her academic curiosity took her further—first to Harvard Kennedy School, where she earned her Executive Certificate in Economic Development, then to UP Diliman for her Juris Doctor Degree. “Lifelong learning is a personal advocacy for me,” she said. “I believe in the importance of further education to enrich one’s knowledge, experience, and capabilities.”
There’s a powerful truth to Anna Mae’s journey: education isn’t just about learning—it’s about transforming, a force that reshapes perspectives and communities. No longer is it just about what you know but who you uplift with it.
Reimagining the Metro
In 2023, Anna Mae introduced Reimagine Manila, an initiative designed to turn the metro’s status quo on its head. Her vision was clear: a city where spaces are within reach—15 minutes apart, to be exact—where everything required for a day’s work is a mere walk or bike ride away. For those who live in the heart of it, this kind of accessibility is certainly long overdue—a breath of fresh air in a city often riddled by its gridlock.
Such was her advocacy after obtaining her Master of Science in Cities at the London School of Economics (LSE), where she explored how cities can be reimagined not only to address issues brought about by urbanization but also to foster a more inclusive and environmentally resilient place for all.
Reimagine Manila was her most ambitious project yet. It piqued public attention for all the right reasons: making places more accessible, pedestrian-friendly, and public transport-friendly. But it was the unique thrust—doing all this to better the lives of the children, the elderly, and the differently abled individuals—that sets her vision apart.
The Digital Thread Connecting Cultures
A true multi-faceted woman, her vision doesn’t stop at cities; she’s equally passionate about building a digital world where no one is left behind. She created NightOwlGPT, an AI-powered platform aiming to preserve endangered languages and bridge communication gaps. In a digital world, it’s not just tech for the sake of tech, but fostering inclusivity to the isolated due to their language or where they come from.
She makes it clearer: the future is for empowering people with tools that connect them—tools that collapse barriers and not create them. “Access to the internet is a basic human right,” Anna Mae said, a true advocate of inclusivity and digital literacy.
Forward with Tech and Tenacity
Lamentillo’s commitment to change stretches past the ordinary into a real-world impact. Through the Build Initiative Foundation, she’s creating inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of background or ability, can thrive. It’s a mission grounded in sustainability and digital empowerment.
The Foundation is a nonprofit that tackles global issues with AI-powered solutions. GreenMatch, for instance, connects carbon-offset seekers with grassroots environmental projects, while Carbon Compass helps people track and reduce their carbon footprints, making sustainability something a lot more personal and actionable.
Tech is a tool for social change, and Lamentillo’s work shows how innovation can flip the script for the better. “Our mission is to harness the power of technology and innovation to build a more sustainable, inclusive future,” she expressed. She’s making it happen.
Now pursuing a Master of Science in Major Programme Management at the University of Oxford Saïd Business School, she dives into the science of managing megaprojects with AI. From transportation systems to climate resilience, Anna Mae is studying how to steer large-scale initiatives that can reshape economies and—most importantly—lives. “To be sitting here today, studying at Oxford, feels surreal,” she said.
Photos: ANNA MAE LAMENTILLO
The post Anna Mae Lamentillo is Breaking Boundaries in Infrastructure, AI, and Urban Development appeared first on MEGA.Anna Mae Lamentillo is Breaking Boundaries in Infrastructure, AI, and Urban Development
Source: Insta News Pinoy
0 Comments