​Born to Venezuelan parents in Florida, Montañez grew up in an artistic household with a musical background. Her love for music brought her to various opportunities at the GRAMMY Camp in Los Angeles, Jazz at the Lincoln Center High School Academy, and performing on the Harry Connick, Jr. talk show, Harry.

 

Her exposure to travel shaped her global perspective and her love for journalism. Through firsthand encounters with natural disasters and their human repercussions, her experience has shifted her focus to the climate refugee crisis.

 

A highlight of her recent academic journey was a service learning experience in Senegal, where she documented the impact of desertification on villages in the Sahel region. Throughout the program, she participated in desert land regeneration efforts and documented the environmental changes.

 

During her time as an intern at Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism in Johannesburg, South Africa, she worked on health and social justice stories for the Health Beat TV show. Additionally, she created content for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

 

She earned a Bachelor of Music in jazz instrumental performance from The City College of New York, where she also pursued a major in international studies and a minor in journalism. Montañez received a Master's in Journalism from Craig Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY and is currently a FOX 5 NY Trainee.