From Chaos to Community: Young Man’s Mission to Empower Others
At just 21, Matias Saenz has already lived a lifetime. Born in Seattle, his childhood took a dramatic turn at age 12 when his family relocated to Ecuador for his father’s entrepreneurial venture. What followed was a whirlwind of experiences, from political instability and natural disasters to personal struggles and ultimately, a powerful drive to empower underserved communities.
“It was a leap of faith,” Matias recalls of the move to Ecuador. “We had a pretty normal life in Seattle, and then we just jumped into Ecuador, which was a chaotic, third-world country. The first year was intense – political instability, earthquakes, volcanoes, riots, people banging on our doors.”
This baptism by fire shaped Matias profoundly.
“I’ve always been impacted by my surroundings,” he explains. “The culmination of all those life experiences has led me to believe in a certain philosophy: always trying to empower humanity and uplift everyone as much as possible, especially those who are underrepresented and underserved.”
After spending eight years and graduating high school in Ecuador, Matias sought new horizons in Spain, hoping to pursue affordable higher education. However, the economic climate and a traumatic assault just months after his arrival forced him to re-evaluate his path.
“It became clear to me that I wanted to create and mold my own future with intent, instead of simply reacting to the things that were happening to me,” he says.
That realization brought him back to his birthplace: Seattle. Discovering North Seattle College (NSC) proved to be a turning point.
“It was a lifesaver,” he says. “That was the first step to ultimately pursuing my ultimate goal of doing impact entrepreneurship.”
Since enrolling, Matias has consistently excelled academically, earning a spot on the President’s List every quarter. While navigating his education at NSC, Matias has drawn inspiration from his great-grandmother, a pioneering figure in Ecuadorian television, who instilled in him the belief that any dream is attainable. He also found a way to combine his multilingual skills with his passion for helping others by becoming a certified Spanish medical interpreter at Seattle Children’s.
“I saw immigrants who had come to the U.S. and were having medical issues but couldn’t communicate with the care providers,” he explains. “Families would often thank me during appointments, sharing how, in past visits with no interpreter, they were completely lost about what was happening with their child's care. They didn't understand the treatment plans or next steps, and crucial details went unaddressed.”
Because of experiences like these, Matias felt a responsibility to act. He developed Alma, a free AI-powered app designed to help immigrant families navigate the complexities of the American healthcare system. “It’s tailored to the immigrant perspective” he says, “It integrates large, multi-language models to offer personalized advice and includes a feedback system to help hospitals track and improve their interpreter services, which is beneficial if you’re someone who is new to the country.”
Matias' commitment to service extends beyond technology. He also founded a nonprofit, Horizontes Brillantes, which provides mentorship, resources, and guidance to underserved youth. The organization also helps students achieve their dreams, from connecting aspiring firefighters with necessary resources to enrolling recent immigrants in English classes.
“Many children of immigrants and underserved youth are so focused on putting food on the table and just surviving,” Matias explains. “Through Horizontes Brillantes, we identify ways to help them go beyond surviving to pursue their dreams.”
His entrepreneurial spirit is also evident in his involvement with Proactiviti, a successful startup he launched with his family, which connects Latin American programmers with U.S. clients. He recounts a particularly impactful experience:
“I hired an indigenous person from a very remote village in Ecuador who learned programming on his own. His new job brought him incredible economic benefits. He was able to buy a home for his mother, take care of his brothers, and essentially assume financial responsibility for his entire family. Seeing his life transform showed me the power of technology to change lives.”
Despite his already impressive accomplishments, Matias has ambitious plans for the future. He aims to scale the Alma app nationwide, continue expanding his family’s startup, Proactiviti, and is currently applying to four-year universities, including the University of Washington (UW) and Ivy League schools, among others. He also founded the Finance Club at NSC, growing its membership to 80 and leading a club team to victory in a business case competition at the UW, which earned them an invitation to tour Russell Investments' headquarters, speak with the CEO, and apply for summer 2026 internships.
“Resilience and innovation are contagious,” Matias says. “When you uplift one person, you uplift a whole community. That’s what I want to dedicate my life to.”
Matias credits NSC for providing the support and opportunities that have propelled him forward.
“If it wasn’t for North Seattle, I wouldn’t have had the same opportunities to grow and take these steps forward,” he says. “It has been my life-saving moment in many ways.”
Looking ahead, Matias envisions a future in healthcare, striving to make it more accessible and affordable.
“All giants in healthcare can fall. With the right tools, technology can break down barriers, reduce costs, and make care accessible to everyone, and I’m committed to building those tools.”
From the chaotic streets of Ecuador to the supportive community of North Seattle College, Matias’ journey is a testament to resilience, innovation and a deep commitment to empowering others. He is a young man on a mission, and the world is watching.