Paula Mendes

Background

About Paula Mendes

Grants & Stewardship | Diversity & Inclusion Facilitator | Travel & Tourism Specialist With a career spanning education, the tourism industry, and now philanthropy, I bring a multidisciplinary perspective to community engagement and organizational development. I’m passionate about connecting people, purpose, and possibility. My career has been anything but linear—and that’s exactly what I love about it. From tourism and marketing to inclusive education and community philanthropy, every chapter has strengthened my belief in collaboration, compassion, and meaningful impact. In my current work, I help connect mission-driven initiatives with the funding and relationships that help them grow. I manage the full grants and stewardship process—researching opportunities, tracking outcomes, and building lasting partnerships rooted in trust and gratitude. Before stepping into the nonprofit world, I supported neurodiverse students in education, and earlier in my career, worked in tourism, sales, and destination marketing—developing partnerships, managing client relationships, and promoting authentic, sustainable experiences. Across all these experiences, my focus has remained the same: creating connection, celebrating diversity, and helping people and organizations thrive. Let’s connect!