Deynira Calderon
Education: International business and finance
Current Passion: Teaching myself how to sew
Fun Fact: Hobbies open doors! I was sewing at Mount Royal University’s Maker Studio when my curiosity inspired me to connect with other nearby students. The result? They were Enactus members working on a StrandUP project that reduces textile waste. I was then appointed as the lead designer to teach members how to make tote bags from used clothing – it was an honour to showcase our work at Enactus Canada’s 2019 regionals!
“Do not hide your talents, share them. The more you share them, the more experience you’ll gain while helping others.”
Why Trico Studio:
The special ingredient that makes the Studio so unique is its thriving culture where different minds work to actualize their potential and prioritize community prosperity versus financial gain. My first exposure to the Studio was when my classmates and I pitched sustainable business plan ideas to one of its non-profit community members who strived to grow in Malawi.
Daily Motto:
I am proud to be a part of two changemaking projects with Enactus that are near-and-dear to my heart: EmpowerU and StrandUP. Through EmpowerU, we teach students financial literacy through innovative facilitated exercises and resources. During the unprecedented and challenging times facing Calgary today, I am motivated to find new ways to engage our students. My mission is to empower them to continue to pursue their dreams while staying united together. It’s an honour to share my successes and failures while I get to know them; their resilience is a victory and teaches me new lessons every day. A notable experience so far was helping one of our students plan her business launch, which included the development of a microloan system and the allocation of licenses and certifications needed for a successful launch.
Fuel for Inspiration:
As a child, I watched my parents emerge as rising stars in their community by volunteering at church, collecting food for the food bank, supporting catastrophic relief efforts and more; they taught me to share what I have and not the leftovers. I never knew the impact they made until I grew up and realized how they touched the hearts of many – this transformed how people respected and viewed them in the community. Currently, I know that my goals are just a few drops in the ocean, but I know these drops will make a difference one day.