Lela joined the ILS team as a legal assistant and interpreter in the summer of 2021 after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a B.A. in Philosophy and Spanish. Lela was first exposed to Spanish at the OLG Immersion program in Dubuque and continued her language studies through college. During her time at Vanderbilt, she had the opportunity to develop her language skills through study-abroad programs in Peru and Spain and volunteer work with immigrants and refugees in the Nashville area. In her free time, she enjoys reading philosophy, watching telenovelas, and baking decadent desserts for her family. She is considering a career in immigration law and is excited to be back at Catholic Charities!