CLAUDIA PELLEGRINO

 

Philanthropist, public communicator, business owner, and journalist. Claudia Pellegrino has worn many hats. She was born in Perú and immigrated to the US at 13. Like many (very) young women, she became a mother when she was 16. Unlike many of those, however, Claudia persisted with her dreams. Armed with a degree in Communications from George Mason University in Virginia, she gained vast experience in social work in both the US and Latin America. Her background as both an immigrant and a young mother gave her the unique ability to empathize with many of her clients.

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Pellegrino’s dedicated work with under-resourced communities, providing training, and connecting vulnerable communities to essential services, led to her recognition as "Volunteer of the Year" by the Mayor of City of Fairfax, Virginia. In 2019, Claudia received the prestigious Sharon Bulova Award for her outstanding leadership and excellence in Fairfax County. She has been featured in El Tiempo Latino as one of the most influential Latinas in Fairfax County, for her contributions to healthcare accessibility in Virginia.

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Pellegrino oversees the Community Outreach and Engagement Unit for Fairfax County and is responsible for providing resources, educating, and empowering underserved communities. She also collaborates with Spanish and English television and radio networks. In addition, she actively supports teen mothers in their pursuit of higher education. Ms. Pellegrino is also currently working on her master's degree in public administration.

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In addition to her professional commitments, Claudia hosts a bilingual YouTube channel called "The Story Behind the Story." On this platform, she shares inspiring stories to motivate and bring hope to her audience through the testimonies of those who have lived them.  She has just published her first autobiography, "Mamá A Los 16," which chronicles her personal journey as a teen mom. By telling her own story, Ms. Pellegrino hopes to show other young women that, despite finding themselves in difficult circumstances, they can still make choices about their own lives and control their own futures.