Catalina Devandas Aguilar

Catalina Devandas Aguilar is a Costa Rican lawyer and passionate advocate for social justice and human rights, with over two decades of experience in disability rights and inclusive development. Born with spina bifida, she has channeled her personal experience into a lifelong commitment to fighting for the rights of the most marginalized. She began her career international career at the World Bank and has since held senior roles at the Disability Rights Fund and the International Organization for Migration. She served as the first United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2014–2020) and subsequently as Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations at Geneva. She serves on several international boards and holds a law degree from the University of Costa Rica. She is married and the mother of three daughters.