Dr. Odette Lara-Morales, Ph.D., MA (ARU-UK), B.Com (UAT-MX), is the Voices of Future Generations Children’s Initiative (VoFG CI) Programme Manager and an Associate Fellow at the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL). She is also a Lecturer in Indigenous Entrepreneurship at United College, University of Waterloo, and a Project Officer with the United Nations Association in Canada. She holds a Ph.D. in Marketing, Enterprise, and Sustainable Tourism and has extensive experience in higher education and international research. She has taught management courses at the Faculty of Business and Law at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, UK, and has designed and delivered courses such as Indigenous Rights in Global Context at United College, University of Waterloo. Her academic work intersects sustainability, business, and Indigenous governance, with a strong emphasis on ethical and community-driven approaches to economic and environmental resilience.

As a Nahua Indigenous descendant from Mexico, Dr. Lara-Morales is deeply committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the areas of ecological and cultural preservation, gender equality, and poverty reduction in Indigenous communities. She actively contributes to initiatives that promote sustainable development through policy engagement, capacity-building programmes, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Beyond her academic and professional roles, Dr. Lara-Morales is a dedicated mentor and advocate for youth leadership. She works closely with young people, equipping and inspiring them with the skills needed to drive social change. Passionate about fostering the next generation of leaders, she strives to create opportunities that empower youth to build sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities.