Mailyn Salabarria

Growing up in Cuba under a communist dictatorship, as the proverbial child of the state, Mailyn was shaped by a government that controlled every aspect of her life. She fled Cuba in 2001, seeking freedom in America. Today, she is a living testament to the power of turning a life of oppression and censorship into a career of advocacy and public speaking, and the critical role that liberty plays in shaping our futures.

With a law degree from Havana University and a master’s in mass communication and journalism from Florida International University, Mailyn’s diverse background has helped her become a multifaceted consultant and communications professional, public speaker, advocate, and leader. 

As a passionate believer in free markets and limited government, Mailyn engages with all audiences to help them understand how easily freedom can slip away if it is not protected. 

Through her firsthand experience, she paints a vivid picture of what life under totalitarianism looks like, reminding us all, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.” 

She is a 2016 graduate of the Leadership Program of the Rockies, a finalist in the Defenders of Capitalism 2016 program, a 2024 Heritage Academy Fellow, and a 2024 American Federation of Children Hispanic Leader in Education fellow. 

Mailyn is a nomadic entrepreneur and serves as a public speaker for The Dissident Project, Ladies of Liberty Alliance, and Young America’s Foundation. She is also a writer and frequent political commentator for media outlets, both in English and Spanish, and volunteers her advocacy with freedom and free-market-oriented organizations worldwide. 

Her life’s motto is “The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”