40 Under Forty 2022: Carla Delacruz Davila

Photo | Erika Sidor Carla Delacruz Davila

Photo | Erika Sidor 40 Under Forty, Class of 2022 winners (from left) Joel Kent, Carla Delacruz Davila, Maggie Becker, and Benjamin Barner pose at the construction site of the new Doherty Memorial High School in Worcester (special thanks to Sherri Pitcher and Fontaine Bros., Inc.)

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By Timothy Doyle

Carla Delacruz Davila, 39

Title Program coordinator, diversity & student success; case manager, coaching program
Company UMass Chan Medical School, in Worcester
Residence Southbridge
Birthplace Guayama, Puerto Rico
Colleges Becker College, Springfield College

Click here to read about the other 40 Under Forty, Class of 2022
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Medical school is one of the most demanding endeavors in education. UMass Chan employs people to help students overcome the mental and emotional challenges of its program and stay on track to graduate. Such a job takes tremendous strength and compassion. This is the job Delacruz Davila excels at every day: coaching students by creating a safe space, listening to them, and giving valuable feedback so that they may succeed in their chosen field.

She takes great joy in seeing students she has helped succeed and graduate. Her desire to help people does not stop there. She is the co-founder of The WellStorm Inc. a Southbridge organization which provides assistance with mental health, food insecurity, and homelessness. The organization’s first project, The Bridge Fridge, launches in September. She has volunteered her time to help with organizations advocating for veterans, women, parents, and students. Delacruz Davila, a proud Latina, wants to be a role model for young people, because growing up she did not see role models that looked like her, other than her mother. She wants to inspire young people by giving voice to and empowering the voiceless.

If you want to live on the equator or in Antarctica? Antarctica, as I wouldn’t have any neighbors. LOL!

What will Central Mass. will be like in 10 years? I try not to predict the future, as many things can change overtime, but I am always hopeful for a better tomorrow!

If you gave a keynote at a college graduation, what advice would you give? Pay attention when things go well, pay extra attention when they don’t, and watch how people react to it.