Carmen Paredes credits her time studying with Penn State World Campus as the foundation that shaped her leadership and problem-solving approaches — skills that have helped her start and lead two businesses. An entrepreneur from Paraguay, Paredes serves as the CEO of Ruruka, a company that transforms industrial waste into sustainable solutions, and Marajá, an artisanal chocolate brand.
Paredes’ strong work ethic and self-discipline helped shape her path as an entrepreneur. When deciding to pursue higher education, she chose Penn State World Campus so she could
earn a top-tier degree from a U.S. university while remaining in Paraguay.
Online education offered the flexibility that Paredes needed. During her time as an online learner, Paredes still felt a strong connection to the Penn State community.
“What truly stood out was how Penn State made sure that online students felt just as much a part of the university as those on campus,” Paredes said.
In 2018, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a minor in political science. The resilience, discipline, and willingness to try new things that online learning required equipped her with the skills needed to build such a successful career as an entrepreneur.
Paredes catalyzed the skills from her undergraduate studies into actions as the CEO of her two companies. Those experiences now guide how she leads and makes decisions for the two impact-driven companies.
“In many ways, online education mirrors entrepreneurship, where success is entirely driven by your commitment and execution,” Paredes said. Online education “helps develop many soft skills along the way.”
Leading with purpose
Through her company Ruruka, Paredes addresses environmental challenges by transforming residual mud into reusable sources. The process focuses on sustainability-driven innovation, applying economic and systems-level thinking to create solutions that balance environmental responsibility with long-term sustainability. Under her leadership, Ruruka has gained international recognition for its impact-focused approach.
As CEO of Marajá, Paredes leads an award-winning artisanal chocolate venture rooted in responsible production and local development. The company emphasizes quality and community impact, reflecting her commitment to building businesses that create value beyond profit.
Milestones and recognitions
Beyond her work as CEO, Paredes has earned recognition for her impact across the industry.
In 2023, she received the Inter-American Development Bank–FEMSA Award, honoring her work through Ruruka in innovative solutions with water, sanitation, and solid waste across Latin America and the Caribbean.
The accolades did not stop there. Her work earned her more international recognition when she was named a Top 100 entrepreneur in the 2024 Entrepreneurship World Cup.
Paredes was recognized with the Penn State World Campus Outstanding Alumni Award in 2024. This award was presented to her for her leadership and engagement as an alumna.
In 2025, Paredes continued to gain international recognition for her work with her companies. She was named to MIT Technology Review’s Innovators Under 35 LATAM list, where she was recognized as “Pioneer of the Year” for her impact-driven leadership with her company, Ruruka. She was also selected for the Exponeur Fellowship at Expo Osaka 2025, where entrepreneurs from around the world were invited to present their solutions addressing global challenges. In Paraguay, she was further honored as Entrepreneur of the Year — Innovative Venture, recognizing the national impact through purpose-driven business development.
Today, Paredes stays connected with the Penn State community by creating opportunities for current students and recent graduates. She has hired Penn State interns through her companies, saying it was a wonderful experience for both her and the interns. Paredes serves as an inspiration to anyone driven by passion.
Her time as a Penn State World Campus student helped lay the foundation for the leadership, adaptability, and problem-solving skills she carries into her successful career today.
This feature is part of “40k alumni: 40 stories celebrating 40,000 graduates,” a series marking the milestone of more than 40,000 Penn Staters earning their degrees online through Penn State World Campus.