February 8, 2017 Update: Silvia had a successful expedition and became the First Peruvian woman to summit Mount Everest. Her work and story has been recognized by many outlets such as Fortune, CNET and USA Today. She recently began a new role in the Product Organization at Xoom, a PayPal company. There, she works to empower remittance recipients by offering products that help them better move and manage their finances. Silvia’s life-changing journey led her to a role that even better aligns with her passion in continuing to empower others.
---
This post was originally published April 12, 2016
This month, we are featuring Silvia Vasquez-Lavado as part of our Women Leaders at PayPal series. Silvia is the Principal of Enterprise Technology at
PayPal, the Founder and CEO of
Courageous Girls -- a group that uses adventure and nature to help heal women who have been sexually abused -- and was recognized as one of Fortune magazine’s 2015 Heros of the Fortune 500.
Q: Your background and childhood played a major role in who you are today, why you came to work for PayPal and the non-profit you founded. How so?
A: I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. My childhood was challenging, both personally and because of the political environment in my country. As a child, I was sexually abused -- something that affected me deeply and turned me into a very introverted and shy person. At the same time, Peru was going through a period of hyper deficit and dealing with the guerilla communist movement The Shining Path. When my parents found out about the abuse, we decided it was time for me to leave the country and start fresh.
Where did you go?
I got a Fulbright scholarship and moved to the U.S. for college, where I studied accounting and international business at Millersville University in Pennsylvania. When I graduated, I moved to California. As a foreigner, I didn’t have the flexibility that others had -- I had to prioritize getting my Green Card and needed to find a company that would sponsor me so I wouldn’t have to go back to Peru and face my painful past. After I got my Green Card, an opportunity at eBay opened up. I had long wanted to move into the technology sector because I knew I could use technology to help empower others. Before accepting the job, I took some time off to travel back to Peru to be with my family and spend time meditating and healing with my mom. It was time for me to overcome the shame of my past and heal before this next chapter in my life.
What came out of my time meditating in Peru was that I needed to be walking among the mountains. For me, nature has always been a place of introspection, a place where you gain perspective about the world around you, and where you can heal.
A short time after, I came back to the States and accepted the position at eBay, but took a week before starting to go to Nepal and climb Base Camp Mount Everest. Base Camp takes two weeks to trek, but I knew I had to make it in under a week. When I got to Base Camp, it felt magical. You’re standing there, surrounded by the Himalayas and realize you’re a tiny speck amongst the vast world. There, standing on top of Kala Patthar, I made a promise to myself to accept and even embrace my past, rather than fight it. I also promised myself that I would come back to summit Mount Everest, but that before I did, I would do two things: First, I would become a mountaineer and second, I would come back with a social cause.
Did you make good on your promises?
I did. Since then, I have summited six of the seven tallest summits in the world, and if I make it to the top of Everest when I begin my trek in just a couple weeks, I will be the first Peruvian person and the first Gay women to climb all seven of the world’s tallest summits.
The second part of my promise was equally important to me, to come back with a cause close to my heart. I founded
Courageous Girls, a group that uses adventure and nature to help heal women who have been sexually abused, and am bringing five of the girls with me to Base Camp when I go back in April. My experience trekking to Base Camp in 2005 was so powerful and positive, gave me confidence in myself and made me realize the power I have within. I want these girls to be able to experience the same thing, and to realize that they have a team of people who were there to support them in their journey. After spending a night at Base Camp with the girls, I will continue on my own with the goal of summiting Everest.
Did you always know you wanted to be a mountaineer? Growing up, what did you want to be?
When I was really young, I wanted to be an astronaut -- probably because I wanted to be alone and the thought of being up in space seemed comforting. Because of the abuse during my childhood, I was very shy and introverted, but I wanted to give back and to help others who had the same painful experiences that I had. And because of the poverty I saw all around me growing up in Peru, I knew I wanted to lead a life of service. Growing up, I never thought I would become a mountaineer.
Was there a defining moment in your life that you think helped you to get to where you are today? Joining eBay and
PayPal was a defining moment in my life because I saw how a tech company could open up the world and connect people globally. The mission of eBay, and now PayPal, has long been to enable and empower people, and it’s amazing knowing that the work you do and the company you work for can enable things that are important to you on a personal level. For example, in many developing countries, people have mobile phones but no easy access to a bank or ATM. Working for a company that enables people around the world, even in some of the most remote locations, to have access to a bank and money, is empowering. I’m lucky to work for a company with a mission that is close to my heart.
What advice would you give your younger self?
To not lose track of the things you want no matter the ups and downs and obstacles you will undoubtedly face to get there. We all face obstacles in our lives, and many of us give up on the things we want in the face of challenge. Throughout my life, I’ve overcome many hardships -- from abuse, to divorce to the loss of the first nonprofit I founded, Gracias Foundation. The journey hasn’t been easy. I would also tell my younger self to take more risks, to not be afraid to fail and to not be afraid to ask -- the worst you can get is a no.
So what keeps you going?
Several things keep me going -- some come from within and others come from the support I have externally. First, the promise I made to myself at Base Camp years ago is one thing that keeps me going. Second, perseverance, having faith in myself and where I come from, and knowing that no matter the obstacles or challenges, I will keep moving forward toward my goals has also helped me stay focused. And finally, the support of the community, my co-workers and close friends help drive me forward.
So what’s next for you?
I leave for Everest with Courageous Girls on April 1. We hope to get to Base Camp by April 13. Then the girls, a group of Nepali and American survivors, will turn around and head home the next day, and I will begin my trek to the top of Everest.