OUR STORY
A professional immigrant who
built a path in the U.S. — now
helping others do the same.
Future Horizons was born from experience, persistence, and the belief that no immigrant should have to navigate their journey alone.
What started as one woman’s pursuit of education, professional growth, and opportunity became a mission to help others confidently build their future in the United States.
Isabel Peñaloza
Founder & Lead Mentor
My name is Isabel Peñaloza Araujo. I was born and raised in Machala, Ecuador, and I am proud of my roots.
I am the founder of Future Horizons Advising, Coaching and Mentoring.
I arrived in the United States in 2021 on an F-1 student visa. Later, I obtained an H-1B work visa and eventually became a U.S. permanent resident through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW), a process I completed on my own, saving thousands of dollars.
I am the daughter of small-scale farmers from the province of El Oro. I studied at Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL) in Guayaquil, Ecuador, where I earned my degree in Mining Engineering during the 2020 pandemic.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to work at Fruta del Norte, the largest gold mining operation in Ecuador, owned by Lundin Gold.
That same year, I applied to the University of Nevada, Reno to pursue a master’s degree in Mining Engineering. Although I was accepted, the only assistantship opportunity available was in Metallurgical Engineering. I accepted the opportunity and became both a research and teaching assistant, allowing most of my educational expenses to be covered while earning more than $18,000 in scholarships during my two years of graduate studies.
I built the guidance I wish I had when I first arrived in the United States.
Today, I work at one of the largest copper mining operations in the world while serving the community through projects that support the professional and personal growth of immigrants in the United States.
WHAT WE BELIEVE