Christian Riquelme

BA Public Relations, Wartburg College

Originally from Chile but raised in Costa Rica, Christian’s journey has been one of storytelling, sustainability, and social entrepreneurship across borders. He earned his degree in Communication and Public Relations, at Wartburg College in the U.S., and has since dedicated his career to using media and business as tools for social change.

Christian has worked extensively in marketing, branding, and documentary filmmaking, telling stories that amplify cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and community empowerment. His projects have taken him across Latin America, collaborating with organizations such as Southwest Airlines, CATIE (Latin America’s oldest international postgraduate program in agriculture and natural resources), indigenous artisans, and sustainability-driven enterprises.

As co-founder of Wearsos, a social enterprise upcycling retired airplane seats into sustainable fashion, he has merged circular economy principles with economic opportunities for women in rural Costa Rica. His impact-driven work earned him a fellowship in the U.S. Department of State’s YLAI program, recognizing his contributions to business for social good.

Christian’s passion for education and leadership development is deeply rooted in his experience as a UWC alumnus. He designs and leads programs that challenge participants to think critically about global issues while fostering a deep cultural connection.

When not crafting campaigns or filming documentaries, you’ll find Christian hiking, exploring regenerative business models, or blending creativity with tech. He firmly believes that education is the most powerful tool for change.