A native of Venezuela, Daniel was raised in Florida by his single mother, a fashion and interior designer who brought him with her to every job she did. When he wasn’t learning design from his mother, he was focused on school and the arts, excelling in dance, music and visual arts.

A distinguished scholar, he was offered full scholarships to several universities, all of which were rescinded upon discovery of his status as an undocumented immigrant. Nevertheless he persevered, eventually receiving the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke scholarship which allowed him to transfer from Seminole State College of Florida to American University, where he graduated top of his class in International Relations and Music Theory.

Daniel went on to become the first openly undocumented immigrant to intern at the William J. Clinton Foundation as well as the youngest executive on Russell Simmons’ team where he served as Social Media Director. While serving as Chief of Staff to Russell Simmons’ Political Director, Daniel co-founded The Soze Agency, a worker-owned social-impact creative agency made up of entrepreneurs, activists, storytellers, artists and strategists who create strategies for the future, immersive pop-up experiences, expansive social movements and high-profile, large-scale public events.

As Partner and Creative Director at The Soze Agency, Daniel led campaigns such as #IAmAnImmigrant; which brought together celebrities, influencers, and organizers to highlight the beauty of immigrant communities; and Change Fashion, an exhibition highlighting the impact of the fashion industry on our environment and communities across the globe.

Daniel continues to use the power of personal narrative and his experience as a gay, formerly undocumented immigrant to lead conversations about culture, design, activism, immigration and social impact through keynotes, media interviews, lectures and panel discussions. He has been featured on MTV, moderated panels at Harvard University, and lectured at American University.

At the end of 2019, Daniel left The Soze Agency in order to further pursue his creative interests. As a Civic Media Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Innovation Lab he has founded Hard Reset Studios to use the power of design to affect social change through fashion, art and the built environment. He also currently leads creative design and strategy for the #IStandWithImmigrants Initiative.

He currently resides in Atlanta with his 2 Mini Schnauzer puppies named Raj and Rowan.