Field Staff

Diego A Peña serves as the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer for the Colombia Avanza project under the Child Protection Unit. His main role is to lead Colombia Avanza´s comprehensive M&E plan and provide technical and operational support to the project´s director. Diego has over 10 years of experience in social policy and inclusion, previously working at the Study Group on the Economic Impacts of Climate Change, the National Planning Department of Colombia, and the District´s Planning Secretariat. 

Libia is the Technical Support Officer for the Colombia Avanza project under the Child Protection Unit. She works to prevent and eradicate child labor in coffee-growing areas of the country. Libia has more than 15 years of experience in the construction of policies, plans, and programs that benefit the population. She is an economist with a master’s degree in urban and regional planning with a specialization in senior management.

María Albarrán is the Communications Specialist for the Palma Futuro project under the Child Protection Unit. She leads the planning, designing, and implementation of the communications strategy of Palma Futuro. María is a political scientist, journalist, simultaneous interpreter, and translator with experience in radio and television. In 2018, María was a finalist for the New York Festivals Radio Awards for an interview with a victim of Boko Haram, in the category of Best Cover of an Ongoing Story. María holds a master’s degree in journalism, discourse, and communication from the Complutense University of Madrid.

Vanessa Ardila is the Grants Manager for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She provides oversight and administrative support to the three core partners of the project. Vanessa’s professional experience has focused on the social development sector, first in the National Federation of Coffee Growers for eight years and later with international development programs for nine years. She studied business administration and marketing, earned a master's of science in Coffee Economics, and is a certified coffee taster.

Sergio Correa Asmar serves as the Partnerships and Investments Director for the Cacao for Development (C4D) program and as the Country Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Colombia under the Economic Development and Health Unit. For the C4D program, Sergio is responsible for its financial inclusion component, in order to ensure that smallholder cacao farmers can access reliable and affordable financing, as well as for setting up a fund that will ensure the continuity of the program. For the F2F program, Sergio is responsible for its overall execution according to USAID standards. He has experience working for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations in monitoring and evaluation, project management, investment banking, logistics, and finance. 

Omar E Aza is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Colombia under the Economic Development and Health Unit. Omar`s primary role is to identify and work with organizations that will receive volunteers under the country’s project strategy. He ensures that volunteer assignments correspond to the scope of work and meet F2F and partners’ standards. Omar has more than five years of work experience in foreign trade logistics and two years of experience in agricultural research.

Claudia Calvo is the Procurement Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has 14 years of experience with procurement and acquisition processes in USAID and the U.S. Embassy in Colombia. Claudia specializes in logistics coordination, the standardization and adaptation of procedures, and logistics of supply chain management.

Maria Camila Morales is a Program Assistant for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She was previously a volunteer for the education project Cerros de Cambio and was a teaching assistant for her faculty in the Analysis of Internal Conflicts course in college. Maria received a BA in international relations. 

Erwin Cárdenas is Tolima’s Technical Liaison for the Colombia Avanza project. He is a lawyer and specializes in administrative and constitutional law and project management, with most of his professional career linked to the public sector. Erwin served as the contractor of the Ministry of Labor for the Departments of Huila and Caquetá and the contractor of the Ministry of the Interior in the role of territorial liaison for hydrocarbon strategy in the departments of Tolima and Huila. 

Miguel Castellanos is the Systems Information Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. He is part of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning team and is a systems engineer. In the professional field, Miguel has experience as an administrator, monitoring systems and working on follow-up systems for social projects. He has worked on programs for vulnerable populations with topics such as displaced persons, victims of emergencies, Venezuelan migration, and rurality as an International Organization for Migration official in Bogotá. Miguel graduated from EAN University. 

Marycela Castilla Angarita is the Regional Manager of the Santanderes Region for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She oversees the integral management of the project, incorporating a regional perspective, and articulating and strengthening relations with private, public, community, and social actors in the region. Marycela has 16 years of experience in the design and implementation of quality management systems, strategic planning, and prospective and organizational strengthening models. She has experience coordinating International Cooperation Programs in Norte de Santander, focusing on the migrant, returnee, and host population, and in managing strategic alliances and institutional relations with stakeholders on the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Marycela has a master's degree in Strategic Thinking and Perspective. 

Claudia Castro is the Human Resources Manager for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has experience working as a human resources director in the technology and education fields. During this time, Claudia worked in cultural transformation, change management, and organizational development for seven countries in Latin America. She graduated with a degree in law, completed a postgraduate program in human resources management, and obtained certification as a practitioner in change, culture, and organizational development.

Enith Castro is an Accountant for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She is a public accountant with a specialization in taxes and auditing.

Camilo Celis is the Capacity Development Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. He is an academic and technical advisor with 10 years of experience in teaching, education (leadership and public policy), and project management. Camilo supports the institutional strengthening of local agencies in Juntos Aprendemos. He has a B.A. in political science from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and a master’s degree in political analysis at Universitat Oberta de Catalunya. Camilo is an alumnus of the Teach for All Global Network and in 2022 he was selected for the Leading Education Leadership Program (in partnership with the Georgetown University Latin America Leadership Program).

Melady Corredor is the Administrative and Financial Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Colombia under the Economic Development and Health Unit. Melady´s main responsibilities are to provide financial, tax, legal, administrative, and logistical support for the Farmer-to-Farmer team in Colombia, as well as the preparation of financial reports under local, USAID, and U.S. regulations. She is an accountant with extensive experience in local accounting and tax compliance. 

Maria del Pilar Orjuela is Tolima’s Technical Liaison for the Colombia Avanza project under the Child Protection Unit. She worked for more than a decade with victims of armed conflict, youth, and rural women from the public and private sectors. Maria is a political scientist with a master's degree in political studies and has a broad interest in addressing the social challenges of her region and country. 

Marcela Forero is the Technical Officer for the Caribbean Region for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has been a technical lead, senior ELT consultant, curriculum specialist, and educational content creator. Marcela has extensive experience in the design and implementation of educational projects in the official sector in Colombia. She has led various professional development programs for teachers, as well as coordinated and trained different work teams. Marcela has also participated in the design of educational materials, such as the National English Curriculum, ECO 2.0 (Kids and Teens), and ECO Climate Change Edition. She is a professional in Education, Gender, and International Development at the Institute of Education, University College London in England.

Lorena Villada Guzmán is the Social Communications Intern for the Colombia Avanza project under the Child Protection Unit. She studies social communications at the Universidad Politécnico Grancolombiano and has a special interest in writing, photography, graphic design, the dissemination of ideas and stories, and the creation of content for social networks.

Eduardo Bejarano is the Project Director for the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector project and the Senior Technical Advisor for Palma Futuro and Colombia Avanza under the Child Protection Unit. In his position with the ports project, he focuses on improving compliance with national laws related to internationally recognized labor rights in the port sector of Colombia. He joined Partners in 2018 as the first director of Colombia Avanza, as well as the director of the Palma Futuro Project. Eduardo holds a master's degree in political economy from the University of Essex, as well as in public policy and administration (MPA) from Colombia University. 

Ana Maria Hernández is the Technical Support Officer for the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector project under the Child Protection Unit. She first worked for Partners as a consultant for the Colombia Avanza project. She is a professional in government and foreign affairs with a master´s degree in Social Responsibility and Sustainability. Previously, Ana worked at the Ministry of Labor of Colombia for six years, where she acquired relevant experience in the Colombian labor sector, mainly in the formulation of labor public policies and social dialogue.  

Juan Felipe Jiménez, is a Project Director for the Colombia Avanza project. For three years, he advised the Ministry of Labor on the eradication of child labor and the structuring of the Colombian Network Against Child Labor. Juan Felipe was also an International Labour Organization consultant on a decent work policy proposal and for more than 15 years, has been a consultant on different social finance projects. Juan Felipe has a degree in finance and international relations and an MBA. 

Angélica Leguízamo is the Deputy Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Colombia under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She is in charge of coordinating field staff and operations, maintaining constructive and long-term relationships with partner and host organizations in the country, and monitoring results to ensure their alignment with the Global F2F strategy. Angélica is an economist from the University of Los Andes in Bogotá, with an MSc in social research methods from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has extensive experience in territorial investment project management and has previously served as a coordinator of the project "Promoting Innovative Models of Agribusiness" in an alliance between the Colombian Farmers Association (SAC) and CAF - Development Bank of Latin America; a director of project execution and evaluation for the Agency for Territorial Renewal (ART) of the Colombian Ministry of Agriculture, and as an advisor for territorial investment both in the Ministry of Public Finance and the National Planning Department of Colombia.

Juan Mahecha is the Communications Manager for the Juntos Aprendemos program under the Education Unit. He is a skilled communicator and community builder. Juan has also implemented capacity-building processes in storytelling and communications, as well as facilitated community inclusion processes with marginalized groups. Juan has a background in computer science and a master's degree in business administration.

Nicolas Mantilla is the Migration and Education Specialist for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Education Unit. He is a lawyer and since 2018, has been working for the care and inclusion of migrant children and adolescents. Nicolas has worked for organizations such as ICBF, UNHCR, Save the Children, and the Presidency of the Republic, where he was responsible for the construction and implementation of the Temporary Protection Statute for Venezuelan Migrants. He is a professor of continuing education and a member of the Center for the Study of Migrations at the Universidad de los Andes. Nicolas has a master’s degree in political and international studies. 

Mauricio Mendoza is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Colombia under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He supports local Colombian organizations by linking them with technical experts from the U.S. and facilitating knowledge-sharing. Mauricio brings a wealth of experience to the F2F program including extension service tools, technical application of agriculture, and food security best practices.  

Leyla Montaña is the Finance and Administration (F&A) Director for the Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the project’s finance and administrative areas, including human resources, accounting, sub-award management, security, and financial reports. Leyla is a public accountant with over 15 years of professional experience in implementing development projects in Colombia with resources from the United States and Colombian governments, including projects under contracts and cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agencies.

Andrea Morales is the Administrative Assistant for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She is a professional in business administration, with experience in administration and finance and its components. Andrea's experience includes the execution of logistical tasks while ensuring compliance with relevant rules and regulations (travel, purchases, and supplier management). 

Adriana María Moreno is the Accountant for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She has broad experience in financial and operational auditing, internal control, accounting, and financial areas. Her professional experience includes over 11 years of experience in an array of economic sectors of the Colombian government, nongovernmental organizations, international cooperation agencies, and the private sector. Adriana is a certified public accountant and holds two postgraduate diplomas in auditing.

Massiel Nayibe Moreno is the Human Resources Coordinator for the Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. During her more than seven years of experience, she has worked in finance and insurance. She has most recently worked in the humanitarian sector in human resources coordination and management positions. Massiel is a business administrator, and specialist in occupational health management, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in human resources management. 

Alexis Naranjo is the Deputy Project Director for the Palma Futuro project under the Child Protection Unit. He first joined Partners as a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer of the EducaFuturo Project. Alexis is an Ecuadorian sociologist with 20 years of experience leading program management and implementation of U.S. Department of Labor-funded cooperative agreements. He has developed a deep understanding of education and social issues in Ecuador and other Latin American countries, particularly working with vulnerable populations, including children and youth, women, Afro-Ecuadorian people, and Indigenous groups.

Carlos Neisa is the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Senior Specialist for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He has over 19 years of professional experience related to the M&E of economic development and social programs, including expertise in data management, designing quantitative tools, capture platforms, and geographic information systems. 

Angélica Nietois the Social Compliance Specialist for the Palma Futuro project under the Child Protection Unit. She has over 15 years of experience in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating public policies in social inclusion, employability, and territorial development in different agencies of the Colombian Government, such as the National Planning Department and the Social Prosperity Administrative Department, as well as international consulting services. Angélica also has expertise in formulating, developing, and measuring high social impact strategies and promoting administrative efficiency and diminishing inequality. She is a result-oriented economist, with a master’s degree in economics from Javeriana University in Colombia, and economic development and growth from Carlos III de Madrid University.

Lizeth Gómez Niño is the Contracts and Compliance Manager for the Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She is responsible for awarding and monitoring contracts and grants signed by the project, as well as legal review and compliance with the regulations established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Lizeth has more than seven years of experience in the management of grants and procurement processes for projects related to the strengthening of grassroots organizations and vulnerable populations in several Colombian regions. She has previously been a part of USDA-funded projects in Colombia, such as the Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS Colombia), the Justice for Sustainable Peace Program (JSP Program), and the Conservation and Governance Program in the Amazonian Piedmont (C&G Program). Lizeth is a lawyer specializing in human rights and international humanitarian law and received a degree from the Universidad Externado de Colombia.

Angelica Ochoa is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She coordinates MEL teams from the core partners and oversees the monitoring protocols for program performance indicators. Angelica is a professional in governance and international relations with 10 years of experience in project management, social consultancy, markets, and MEL activities. Angelica focuses on results and management with interdisciplinary teams and mixed investigation methods. She has a master’s degree in government and public policy.

Gloria Ortiz is the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Director for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She has over 18 years of professional experience related to livelihoods and conflict, landmine victims, vulnerable populations, children and youth, land tenure, food security, agricultural production, environmental management, and rural, social, alternative, and economic development, among others. Ortiz brings significant experience, having served as the M&E lead for international nonprofit organizations with a presence in Colombia in programs related to economic development and humanitarian assistance, and financed with resources from the Colombian government, private funds, and international cooperation, particularly USAID. 

Johana Paez is an education professional for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Education Unit. She is a social worker with the ability to design pedagogical strategies and implement training and technical advice processes. Johana has more than 10 years of experience coordinating and implementing educational, social, and community development projects that focus on childhood, youth, and family, as well as community and gender. She has a specialization and a master’s degree in child and youth social problems from the University of Buenos Aires. 

Lina Paola Ladino is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. Lina has experience in implementing, overseeing, and monitoring projects that are funded with international cooperation resources and in the implementation of good practices to improve interventions. She is an economist and has a master´s degree in public policy. 

Gustavo Payán is the Chief of Party (COP) for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. Prior to his work with Partners, Gustavo was the deputy COP and technical advisor for Asegurando la Educación, a former Partners project focused on promoting safe learning environments in Honduras. Gustavo has over 17 years of international development experience in both field and home offices, working for projects that promote education, youth and workforce development, and local capacity development. He has led and supported the design, implementation, and management of initiatives, including projects and learning communities, in Central America, Eastern Europe, the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Cyprus. Gustavo holds master’s degrees in public administration from the Harvard Kennedy School and in international development from Brandeis University.

Yolainy Peralta is the Administrative Assistant for the Caribbean Region for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has administrative experience at the Universidad del Norte in the corporate travel office where she tracked travel requests and quoted, managed, and controlled purchases. Yolainy also has pedagogical experience obtained at the university, where she was part of the Terra volunteer project, which seeks to raise awareness among children about the environment through environmental education. Yolainy graduated with a degree in business administration from Universidad del Norte. 

Pablo Ramirez is the Chief of Party for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He managed ethical sourcing programs for Starbucks in coffee, cocoa, tea, and dairy. Pablo also served as the director of procurement for Chipotle Mexican Grill where he implemented its responsible sourcing programs. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Illinois in Chicago and a Master of Agribusiness from Texas A&M. 

John Jairo Verano Ramírez is a Cacao Specialist Leader for the Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. His role includes communicating, coordinating, and executing project activities, including conducting research and providing technical assistance to producers and their associations on commercial and agronomic issues of productive lines supported by C4D. John has 12 years of experience in the cacao subsector focused on improving the living conditions of cacao-producing families. He has previously worked at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Cacao para la Paz project. John has also assisted farmers' nonprofit organizations in the national territory.

Mónica Rentería is the Research, Monitoring, and Learning (RML) Coordinator for the Palma Futuro project under the Child Protection Unit. In her role, she implements monitoring processes and verifies data. Mónica first joined Partners as the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator for the EducaFuturo Project. She is an Ecuadorian computer science engineer with 12 years of experience leading the implementation and management of M&E systems. Mónica has also developed a deep understanding of social projects related to child labor monitoring and evaluation.

Catherine Ramos Restrepo is the Finance and Administration Director for the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector, Colombia Avanza, and Palma Futuro projects under the Child Protection Unit. She has 15 years of professional experience, serving as an advisor to the president of the Colombian Pension Administrator – Colpensiones, the vice minister of the interior, and the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit. Catherine is a lawyer with a postgraduate degree in administrative law from the Externado de Colombia University. 

Alejandra Rivera is the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos program under the Child Protection Unit. She has experience as an advisor for public policy evaluation, statistics, and knowledge management in the public sector in Colombia. She uses her skills in collecting, managing, processing, and transforming data into knowledge, providing strategic information to make decisions. Alejandra has a BA in economics, a specialist degree in statistics, and an MSc in applied economics.

Luis Ernesto Ramírez Rodríguez is the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist for the Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He has project management experience in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on business intelligence, creating dashboards in Plotly/Dash and Power BI for exploratory data analysis (EDA), and developing regression and classification models to implement business solutions. Luis holds a master’s degree in marketing from Universidad de los Andes and a specialization in production and logistics from Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas.

Claudia Rojas is the Grants Manager for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She is a lawyer with many years of experience in international cooperation.

Felipe Rojas is the Technical Director for the USDA-funded Cacao for Development (C4D) project under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He has 11 years of relevant experience in the development of projects focused on improving the living conditions of rural populations in vulnerable conditions in Colombia. Previously, Felipe served on the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB-FOMIN). He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in international business. 

Milena Sánchez is the Finance Specialist for the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector project under the Child Protection Unit. She supports the development and monitoring of the monthly cash flow of the assigned projects, oversees the accounting follow-up of the projects, and performs the financial reports of the execution of expenses and income of each project. Milena responds to requests for clarification or additional information from the home office in the process of validation and approval of the financial reports submitted. Milena has more than 13 years of experience in accounting and five years working in the field with projects in different international cooperation agencies such as the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 

Manuela Sandoval is the Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has experience in the design, coordination, and scaling of education and social inclusion projects with an emphasis on gender, sexual and reproductive health, culture for peace, and educational transformation. Manuela has 15 years of experience working as an advisor and consultant for public and private organizations in different regions of the country, leading training processes, systematization of experiences, and human development. She is a psychologist, holds a master’s degree in educational and social development, and is certified in dialogic teaching strategies. 

Walter Tenorio is the Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships Officer of the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector project under the Child Protection Unit. He works to manage and establish relationships with the different stakeholders in Buenaventura, including private businesses, unions, civil organizations, and local government entities. Having more than 22 years of experience as a port executive, Walter contributes to the project in technical and administrative matters related to port issues. He is an industrial engineer and graduated from Universidad del Valle specializing in quality and productivity management. 

Diana Terreros is an Administrative Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has experience working in international cooperation programs (USAID) that have allowed her to plan, review, organize, and coordinate administrative and purchasing processes. Her professional experience as an administrative analyst, administrative coordinator, and business administrator has also given her the capacity to formulate strategies, review needs, and monitor key indicators. Diana has a diploma in international business and degrees in business administration and project management from Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios.

Luis Fernando Toro Sánchez is the Organizational Capacity Development Officer for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the EducationLabor Unit. Luis has extensive experience of more than 15 years in planning, management, execution, monitoring, follow-up and evaluation of programs and public policies. He is an economist with a postgraduate degree and certification in evaluation, project management, and the measuring and strengthening capacities of social organizations. 

Jorge Torres Vallejo is the Research, Monitoring, and Learning Officer for the Palma Futuro project under the Child Protection Unit. Jorge is an economist with nearly 10 years of professional experience in social policy execution, public policy design, planning, and data monitoring. Prior to joining Partners, Jorge led the implementation of the COVID-19 social recovery strategy of Bogotá for the District Planning Secretariat and directed the economics research department of Bogotá’s Habitat Secretariat. Jorge has also served as a researcher for the Department of National Planning, the Department of Social Prosperity and the Ministry of Housing of Colombia. He has been a scholar of KOICA-CIAT, Santander Bank, and the Government of Taiwan. Jorge holds an MSc in economics from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia and an MA in public policy from the University of Reading.

Alejandro Torres is the DCOP for the Juntos Aprendemos program under the Labor Unit. He previously served as the Project Director for the Palma Futuro program. He is an economist with over 18 years of professional experience leading public policy projects, project management, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems. Prior to joining Partners, Alejandro served as the director of planning at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism (MCIT) of the Government of Colombia and contributed to strengthening the Colombian Government’s M&E System by leading the national evaluation agenda at the Department of National Planning. There, he leveraged technical assistance from international organizations, such as the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality (UN Women), and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). Alejandro holds an MSc in urban management and development from Erasmus University Rotterdam and BAs in economics from Externado University in Colombia. 

Silvana Torres is the Capacity Development Director for the Juntos Aprendemos project under the Child Protection Unit. She has experience in the public sector with international cooperation, strengthening social organizations and national and territorial institutions, reports, data analysis, and tools for social change. Silvana is a teacher and researcher specializing in Colombian conflict studies, reconciliation, and peace building. She has a master’s degree in philosophy and a specialty degree in State, Public Policy, and Development.

Paola Trujillo is the Senior Technical Director of Juntos Aprendemos under the Education Unit. She worked in the Ministry of Education as the National Director of Educational Quality for preschool, primary, and middle schools; Deputy Director of Skills Development; and coordinator of place training and trainer of the Todos a Aprender program. Paola has been a primary, secondary, and university teacher. In addition, she was the Education Director at Parque Explora, highlighting educational innovation. Paola is a pedagogue from the Complutense University of Madrid, a teacher with a specialty in primary education from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and has a master’s in mathematical didactics from the University of Granada, Spain. 

Catalina is the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer for the Advancing Labor Compliance in Colombia’s Port Sector project under the Child Protection Unit. She has over 12 years of professional experience in designing, implementing, and operating M&E systems for development projects in Colombia from project initiation to closeout stages. Before joining Partners, Catalina worked as a monitoring leader and operating advisor for the National Land Agency, where she was in charge of the M&E of five cooperation agreements from donors including the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Catalina has a master’s degree in development studies from the University of Bath. 

Rosa Almonte is the Country Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in the Dominican Republic. She supports the operation and coordination of the program, connecting experts in the agriculture and environmental sector from the U.S. with local NGOs, government agencies, agriculture enterprises, environmental organizations, and local farmers to develop projects for rural livelihoods and increase the quality of life of farmers. Rosa assures best practices of sustainable agriculture and maintains an environmental management conservation focus on youth and future generations. 

Franki Linarez is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in the Dominican Republic. He supports volunteers’ assignments in the country, connecting hosts, community leaders, and volunteers. Franki oversees the F2F program in monitoring and evaluation activities, assuring best practices of sustainable agriculture and environmental management conservation.  

Rosa Samboys (Rossy) is the Administrative Assistant for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in the Dominican Republic. She oversees the administrative and financial areas of the F2F program. Rossy is responsible for carrying out daily office tasks and managing administrative payments related to the program, keeping records, delivering monthly financial reports, and supporting field officers on in-country assignments. 

José Eduardo Cano Ozaeta is the Country Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guatemala under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He is responsible for the coordination and administration of all in-country program activities for F2F and the Cabras para la Prosperidad (CABRO) project in Guatemala. José designs and implements country projects, represents the F2F program, and coordinates with USAID, other stakeholders in Guatemala, and other countries in the region. He has over 25 years of work experience in the field of food security, agriculture chains, environmental management, and rural social and economic development. 

María Eugenia Díaz is the Field Coordinator for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guatemala under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She supports the activities of goat production in rural areas for Cabras para la Prosperidad (CABRO), an F2F and Fundación Mario López Estrada Project in Highland, Guatemala. María is responsible for developing strategic plans and conducting market research, coordinating with local communities and U.S. volunteers, developing volunteer scopes of work, managing seven local community leaders to ensure smooth project implementation activities, and representing the F2F program as indicated by the country director.

María Julia Tahuite Castillo is the Administrative and Financial Assistant for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guatemala under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She supports and carries out monthly financial matters, coordinates everything related to hotel and taxi reservations in volunteer visits, and oversees items related to the administrative area of ​​F2F and the Cabras para la Prosperidad (CABRO) project. María also provides support in different areas to the members of F2F. 

Hans Mejia de Leon is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guatemala under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He supports the hosts and handles and runs the assignments at the field level for F2F projects funded by USAID. His primary role is to connect volunteers and farmers. Hans brings project environmental knowledge and experience working in the field with local community members.  

Otto Rivera is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guatemala under the Economic Development and Health Unit. In his job, he acts as the link between volunteers, hosts, and partners. Otto identifies hosts’ needs, assists during assignments in the field, provides follow-up on impacts, and coordinates fieldwork with hosts. He brings knowledge and the experience of working in the field with small-scale farmers in Guatemala and Costa Rica. Otto is an agricultural engineer with an emphasis on sustainability and natural resources management, and graduated from EARTH University in Costa Rica.

Kelvin Craig is Guyana’s Country Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (F2F) in Guyana under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He is responsible for the coordination and administration of all in-country F2F program activities. His primary role is to design and implement country projects in collaboration with host organizations from the public and private sectors. Kelvin brings to the project a wealth of analytical knowledge, project preparation, project management, and monitoring and evaluation skills.

Shirlene Croal is the Administrative Assistant for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guyana under the Economic Development and Health Unit. Shirlene’s responsibilities include providing financial and administerial support to her team, including to the country director and field officers Jermaine Joseph and Quincy Scotland. 

Jermaine Joseph is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer Program (F2F) in Guyana under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He assists the country coordinator in designing and implementing F2F assignments, in collaboration with program stakeholders. Jermaine is also responsible for the identification of technical needs and participation with organizations and individual value chain participants, such as farmers, processors, and exporters. In addition, he is responsible for F2F volunteer arrivals to Guyana and the development of clearly defined and detailed volunteer scopes of work to ensure that projects and volunteer assignments correspond to the work plans of the F2F program. 

Quincy Scotland is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Guyana under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He assists the Country Coordinator in designing and implementing F2F assignments, in collaboration with program stakeholders. Quincy is also responsible for the identification of technical needs and participation with organizations or individual value chain participants, such as farmers, processors, and exporters. In addition, he is responsible for F2F volunteer arrivals to Guyana and the development of clearly defined and detailed volunteer scopes of work to ensure that projects and volunteer assignments correspond to the work plans of the F2F program.  

Wilnise Alabre is the Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She supports daily office activities pertaining to administration and finance for the program. Wilnise has over 10 years of experience in the development sector, including previous work for Global Communities and the International Medical Corps. 

Ruth Climat is the Technical Director for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. Ruth is a medical doctor and has expertise in planning and project design, data collection and research, community health promotion, behavior change, and community and clinical-based management of malnutrition and related diseases. She has been working in the medical and nutrition field for over 10 years and has a master's in human nutrition. 

Marie-Claude Dartilus is the Finance and Administration Director for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She provides leadership and direction to RANFOSE in the areas of accounting, finance, forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and training. Marie-Claude gives guidance in close collaboration with the Chief of Party and the Project Manager in all aspects of operations. She is a Certified Profession Accountant (CPA) with 23 years of experience, including more than 11 years with the United Nations Development Program in financial, budget, and treasury management. Marie-Claude holds a bachelor’s degree in administration and accounting sciences and an International Finance Certification from the Chartered Institute of Public Financial Management in the United Kingdom.

Marie Yolande Eugene is the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She is a seasoned professional with more than 10 years of experience managing global funds and U.S. Government-funded strategic information projects, as well as HMIS and LMIS projects in Haiti, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. Marie Yolande has led various qualitative and quantitative research in the economics, social, and health sectors. She holds a bachelor's degree in economics and science, and a master's in public health. Marie Yolande speaks fluent Haitian Creole, French, and English.

Vania Jean is the Nutrition and Health Officer for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She is a general medical practitioner and conducted her social service at King's Hospital in Haiti. Vania received a certificate in investigation methodology granted by the Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti, as well as a certificate granted by the GHESKIO centers following an intensive training on the management of COVID-19. Then, she worked as a general practitioner at the Pharmasept Medical Clinic. Vania graduated with a degree in medicine from the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina de Cuba.

Sergo Metellus is a Driver for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He has previous experience working with Partners on the Nutrition Security Project. Prior to joining Partners, Sergo worked at the Haiti/USAID Mission.

Rodias Norice is a Guard for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He serves as a liaison for the office to the local branch of the bank, supports the procurement of goods for the office, and prepares monthly reports for generator usage.

Berenisse Pierre is the Accountant for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. In this role, she supports the finance and administration director in decision-making. She has worked for over 11 years in the field of finance and administration in the private sector. 

Yves-Laurent Regis is the Chief of Party for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He started as the Technical Director of Partners' Nutrition Security Program and is a trained agricultural engineer specializing in plant science with more than 25 years of experience in the management, monitoring, and evaluation of programs benefiting communities. Throughout his development career in Haiti, Yves Laurent mobilized resources, monitored budgets, and led projects in health, food and nutrition security, education, and governance. He developed fruitful relationships through partner engagement and knowledge management to achieve meaningful change in agriculture, nutrition, and health program initiatives. 

Miliadaire Valcin is a Guard for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. In addition to maintaining office safety day and night, he is responsible for maintaining the grounds and supporting procurement processes for miscellaneous items.  

Benita Valsaint serves as Office Maintenance for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She ensures the cleanliness and maintenance of the office, flags any issues, and manages the inventory of miscellaneous and cleaning products. 

John Wood is the Logistician for the RANFOSE program under the Economic Development and Health Unit. He is an experienced driver and logistician with more than 20 years of experience providing logistic support to public and nonprofit organizations, including CARE International, Global Communities, and an earlier project implemented by Partners. 

Marsha Johnson is the Country Director for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Jamaica under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She coordinates program activities that support agriculture stakeholders under the themes of rural adaptation and resilience and livestock and aquaculture. Marsha brings well-rounded knowledge of the sector, having worked alongside and spearheaded initiatives on the crops, livestock, and tourism value chains in Jamaica.

Garett Lewin is a Field Officer for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Jamaica under the Economic Development and Health Unit. His primary role is to act as an intermediary between volunteers and hosts in facilitating the completion of an assignment. Garett brings experience in the agricultural field, having worked previously with both the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and the Ministry of Education in Jamaica. An ardent permaculturalist, he is passionate about implementing systems that involve rural adaptation and resilience.  

Simone Williams is the Administrative Assistant for the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Jamaica under the Economic Development and Health Unit. In her capacity, she works in close coordination with the Country Director and Field Officers to provide administrative and financial responsibilities and assist with organizing resources for field assigned activities to improve office support. 

Luis Aguirre is an Administrative Officer in the Mexico Awareness Raising Project on the 2019 Labor Reform. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and Public Administration from UNAM and is a specialist in finance from the same university. Previously, he served as a coordinator for digital services projects in the Coordination of the National Digital Strategy at the Office of the President of the Republic. In that role, he contributed to coordinating notable projects such as online birth certificates and online professional credentials. Additionally, he worked on Human Rights issues related to identity at RENAPO within the Ministry of the Interior. Luis brings valuable experience in project coordination from both the public and private sectors.

Azucena Aguirre Crespo is the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the project Improving Gender Equity in the Mexican Workplace.

Since 2006, Azucena has been involved in addressing social issues such as HIV, violence, crime, and workplace inequalities. Her professional performance has focused on the design, management, monitoring, and evaluation of national and international projects. She has collaborated with institutions such as the National Institute of Public Health, the Instituto Mora, FUNSALUD, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Azucena is a Doctoral Candidate in Political and Social Sciences - International Relations at UNAM (2021), holds a Master's degree in International Cooperation for Development from the Instituto Mora (2010), and earned a Bachelor's degree in Administration from the Universidad La Salle (2006).

Violeta Azcona Reyes, Regional Coordinator for Partners of the Americas for the GEM Project in Jalisco, is an expert in Human Rights, Gender Equity, and Inclusion. With a doctorate in Inclusion, Public Policy, and Research, and master's degrees in Politics and Public Management and Neurolinguistic Programming, she has excelled in key roles in the public, private, and social sectors. Her experience includes prominent positions in the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in Jalisco, as well as roles in consultancy and in the airport industry. As the founder and president of two Civil Society Organizations, her ability to coordinate projects in various fields demonstrates her versatility and commitment to social development.

Marissa Beltrán Beltrán has degrees in Law and Business Administration, as well as a Master’s degree in Business Law from the Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juárez, She´s currently studying the Master of Personal and Business Image Consulting at Imatge Consulting & Co. and the Master of Public Administration at UTEL in collaboration with CIFAL Málaga and UNITAR. She has different diplomas in diferrent areas such as Human Rights, Violence, Positive Discipline, Gender Perspective and Mainstreaming Human Rights in Companies, among many others. She´s ECO217.01 certified. Delivery of human capital training courses in a face-to-face group, by CONOCER, as well as certified in Positive Discipline in the Family, by the Positive Discipline Association, and she has a Diploma in Education Sciences from the Escuela Normal Superior "José E. Medrano R."

She worked for the last two years as Coordinator of the Centro de Asesoria y Formacion of Competitividad Laboral in Desarrollo Economico de Ciudad Juárez A.C and has also collaborated in the Instituto Chihuahuense de las Mujeres as Legal Advisor and instructor, as well as instructor in Cenaltec.

She is currently working on the Partners of the Americas project Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Workplace in Mexico. It has ten years of experience in the delivery of workshops such as the prevention of gender violence, human rights, gender sensitivity among others, focused on the search for eradication and gender violence, as well as administration, computing, customer service, English and health and safety.

Saskia Cabrera Padilla is the Program Coordinator for the Mexico United 2026 Project under the Labor Unit. She is a lawyer, business administrator, and specialist in public management and government with experience working in human rights, equality, gender, transparency, protection of personal data, and disciplinary procedures. Saskia received her master’s degree in public administration. 

María Caro is a Senior Communications Specialist in the Mexico Awareness Raising Project. She joined Partners after 10 years of collaboration in the public sector, including roles in the Digital Government Unit in Mexico's National Digital Strategy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Center for the Digital Society at the University of Guadalajara, and the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO).

Since 2012, she has been involved in projects related to digital communication, design of digital public services, and the development of projects based on disruptive technologies such as blockchain and augmented reality. María holds a master's degree in information technology management from ITESM and completed undergraduate studies in government administration and public policies at the University of Guadalajara. She also has a diploma in strategic political analysis from CIDE and various certifications as a product owner and user experience designer.

Ingrid Ceballos is the Director of the Mexico Awareness Raising Project. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from UNAM and pursued a master's degree in global health and demography at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. She previously served as the Director General of International Affairs at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, where she acted as the Mexican Government's point of contact for the implementation of labor chapters within trade agreements, particularly the USMCA (T-MEC) and its Rapid Response Labor Mechanism. Before that, she worked at the Ministry of Public Education on governance issues with education sector unions and contributed to the agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals from the Office of the President of the Republic. Ingrid has accumulated over 14 years of experience in managing projects and initiatives in both the public and private sectors.

Lorena de la Barrera De la Barrera Lorena de la Barrera De la Barrera, a Ph.D. candidate specializing in the intersection of dignity, ecofeminist ethics, and artificial intelligence, is now the coordinator of the Mexico Unidos 2026 Project under the Partners of the Americas.

With a strong academic background from institutions like Tecnologico de Monterrey, Science Po-Paris, Carleton University, and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. In line with the mission of Partners of the Americas to connect people and organizations across borders to serve and change lives, Lorena has a history of serving as an international technical advisor for various governments, institutions, and organizations. Her focus has always been on creating social impact, which aligns perfectly with the organization’s commitment to service and partnerships.

Her experience in coordinating and creating a portfolio of projects on democratic governance for the United Nations System from 2009 to 2012 and again from 2016 to 2019, demonstrates her ability to drive impact, one of the core values of Partners of the Americas. Lorena’s work on national security and sustainable international development issues for the federal executive and on consular protection issues at the Mexican Consulate in Arizona reflects the organization’s focus on resilience and respect. Her early career as an analyst at the OECD and her numerous contributions to national and international seminars and conferences on democratic governance, sustainable development, and cybersecurity, further underscore her commitment to empowerment and sustainability.

As a published author in national media, official United Nations reports, and specialized book chapters in international law, Lorena embodies the vision of Partners of the Americas to empower communities and individuals through volunteerism and partnerships1. Her leadership in the Mexico Unidos 2026 Project will undoubtedly contribute to realizing this vision.

Fernanda Flores is the Labor Specialist for the Mexico Awareness Raising Project at Partners of the Americas. Her primary role involves developing clear and easily understandable written content about the New Labor Justice Model. She also designs and implements strategies and programs to complement and strengthen the institutional activities of government entities, project implementing partners, unions, resource partners, and business organizations.

Before joining Partners, Fernanda served as the Director of Guidance and Consultation at the Liaison Unit for the Implementation of the Labor Justice System Reform at the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. Her professional experiences include working as a legislative advisor in the Senate of the Republic, Director of Normativity, Public Policies, and Gender at the Attorney General's Office, and Coordinator of the Public Defender's Office in matters of administrative responsibilities at the Ministry of Public Function.

Fernanda earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pedregal and holds a Specialization in Labor Law and Labor Justice from the Federal School of Judicial Training of the Federal Judiciary Council.

Adelina González Marín is an ethnologist and holds a master's degree in rural development, dedicating over three decades to advocating and educating on human rights. With diverse certifications in areas such as Lego Serious Play (LSP), Appreciative Inquiry, and Thanatology, Adelina's expertise extends across various fields. Her career highlights include roles such as coordinating the education department at the Center for Human Rights Miguel Agustín Pro Juárez (Center PRODH) and serving as the Deputy Director of Education at the National Council to Prevent Discrimination.

Currently, Adelina serves as a gender and labor specialist in the GEM project led by Partners of the Americas. Additionally, she is a member of the teaching faculty for human rights at the Continuing Education program of the Universidad Iberoamericana Ciudad de México. Adelina has co-authored research papers, contributed to collective publications, and actively participated in the creation of educational materials with a gender and intercultural perspective. Her extensive experience includes immersion in indigenous communities, supporting the organization and training of various social, civil, and governmental actors since 1994. Adelina's expertise covers a wide range of topics, including human rights, indigenous peoples' rights, interculturality, gender, peacebuilding, democracy, and organizational development, among others.

Angélica González Vega is a lawyer, feminist, and advocate for women's human rights. The aim of her work is to promote and defend the human rights of women to enhance their quality of life. She has conducted courses, workshops, and classes on human rights for various groups. Angélica has coordinated campaigns and conducted assessments to make human rights violations visible.

She provides advice and supports organizational processes for working women and women experiencing violence. Currently, Angélica serves as the coordinator for the Metropolitan Area of the Valle de México in the project "Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Workplace - GEM" at Partners of the Americas.

Danae Haro del Río has a strong educational background and a diverse skill set, making her a valuable professional in various domains. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Consulting from the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA).

In her professional journey, Danae Haro served as an Administrative Liaison (Inventory Control) at Secretaria de Relaciones. During her tenure at SRE, she managed property and inventory for Mexico's foreign missions. Subsequently, at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Danae held the role of an Account Payable Analyst in the Financial Management Office. In this capacity, she reviewed, reconciled, audited, and processed invoices and vouchers to ensure timely payments to vendors. Danae also verified the legitimacy and accuracy of payment requests, advising vendors on funds disbursement. Afterward, she took an opportunity as Administrative Management Officer at the Benjamin Franklin Library where she served as senior advisor to the Regional Public Engagement Specialist. She was a grants officer representative, procurement officer and managed budgets for different allocations.

Before POA, she worked at the Embassy of Canada to Mexico as a Human Resources Coordinator, forecasting, planning and managing the salaries & benefits budget for all the locally employed staff in the Mexico network. Additionally, she showcased her editorial skills as a Section Editor for DNA Magazine, curating, selecting, and editing content. Her professional journey showcases her diverse expertise, ranging f

Carlos Alejandro Hernández Romero is a Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst for the Mexico Awareness Raising Project within the Labor Unit. He is an economist from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) with experience in the public sector as a database analyst, focusing on topics related to labor reform and Mexicans abroad.

María José Lazcano - Throughout her 10 years of experience, María José has worked closely with local organizations, regional networks, and in international spaces to position the issue of migration and advocate for the needs of the migrant population and international protection seekers.

Her background in the humanitarian field, International cooperation, development, peace culture, and negotiation has given her the necessary tools to comprehensively address the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in migration situations. María José believes in promoting the benefits of migration and protecting the human rights of all migrants, regardless of their origin, legal status, or circumstances. She believes in the importance of social inclusion and equal opportunities for all migrants, their communities of origin, and host communities.

Through her work in the humanitarian and international cooperation fields, María José has collaborated closely with various stakeholders, including governments, non-governmental organizations, international agencies, and local communities, to design and implement programs and policies that promote the protection and inclusion of migrants

Luis Madrid is a professional in the field of public affairs with 10 years of experience in civil organizations, government, consulting, and international cooperation. He is a political scientist and public administrator from El Colegio de México and holds a diploma in educational policies from the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas. Currently, he serves as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in the Mexico Awareness Raising Project. Previously, he held the position of Program Manager and Policy Advisor at the British Embassy in Mexico. At DAI, as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Analyst, he developed monitoring strategies for the UK Government's Skills for Prosperity Program. At USAID Mexico, he made significant contributions as a Specialist in Information Solutions for Development. As a consultant at Cívicus, Luis specialized in strategic planning and organizational analysis, collaborating with entities such as the Nuevo León Council and the UNDP.

In the educational field, he worked on school-to-work linkage projects with the International Youth Foundation in Mexico and Colombia; he also served as a consultant for ANUIES. Between 2014 and 2018, Luis served as an advisor to the Undersecretary of Upper Secondary Education and the director of the Upper Secondary Education Scholarship Program at the Ministry of Public Education, overseeing the implementation of the 2012 Educational Reform and expanding scholarship coverage to vulnerable groups.

Juan Carlos Mendoza Castro is the Director of Finance and Administration for the following Labor Unit programs in Mexico: the Mexico Awareness Raising Project, Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Mexican Workplace, and Mexico United. Juan is responsible for the overall financial and administrative management of the programs in the country. He is an accounting graduate with 18 years of experience in nonprofit organizations with U.S. donors

Edna Giomara Pérez Ponce is a Finance Officer for the Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Mexican Workplace (GEM) project under the Labor Unit. She is a public accountant by profession, with more than 25 years of work experience, and with more than half of them dedicated to the financial management of projects in social issues and community support, sponsored by national and international funding agents, such as CONACYT, SEMARNAT, SADER, Banamex Social Fund, Inter-American Development Bank, World Bank, and Global Fund, among others. Her experience has allowed her to collaborate and learn from new rules and guidelines for each funder, achieve their objectives in the financial aspect linked to technical compliance with an optimal and transparent exercise of resources, and deliver results.

Luis Alfredo Portilla, the current Associate Director of Operations, oversees program delivery in the Mexico Field Office, managing diverse responsibilities, including compliance, procurement, human resources, grants, and operational tasks. With expertise in government agencies and international cooperation, Luis focuses on human rights, gender, anti-corruption, and the rule of law. He has collaborated in the implementation of large-scale reforms, including involvement in UK-funded programs, and holds certifications in project management and social project evaluation. Luis's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in public administration, emphasizing his strong foundation in legal and administrative principles.

Dr. Alma Clarisa Rico Díaz is the Project Director for the Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Mexican Workplace project under the Labor Unit. With over 36 years of experience, she has served as the head of multiple Mexican federal and local government offices and has overseen projects for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and DAI International. In 2021, Alma worked as Project Director of the U.S. Department of State-funded Labor Mexico United 2026 project, providing day-to-day leadership and decision-making. As the the Head of Secretariat for Women in the Gurrero State Government, she launched initiatives to fight violence against women and established the Office of the Attorney for the Defense of Women to help develop and implement regulations for labor equality and liaise with unions and employers at the federal government. Alma worked to advance the Mexican Norm for Labor Equality and introduced work-family conciliation actions and paternity leave in the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the Mexican Institute of Social Security collective labor agreements. As a Head of Internal Control Services at the National Social Security Institute, she gained invaluable experience assessing performance measurement and compliance using indicators for audits. Dr. Alma holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a Juris Doctor degree, and an MBA. 

Dr. Alma Clarisa Rico Díaz is the Project Director for the Improving Substantive Gender Equality in the Mexica Workplace project under the Labor Unit. With over 36 years of experience, she has served as the head of multiple Mexican federal and local government offices and has overseen projects for Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and DAI International. In 2021, Alma worked as Project Director of the U.S. Department of State-funded Labor Mexico United 2026 project, providing day-to-day leadership and decision-making. As the the Head of Secretariat for Women in the Gurrero State Government, she launched initiatives to fight violence against women and established the Office of the Attorney for the Defense of Women to help develop and implement regulations for labor equality and liaise with unions and employers at the federal government.

Alma worked to advance the Mexican Norm for Labor Equality and introduced work-family conciliation actions and paternity leave in the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare and the Mexican Institute of Social Security collective labor agreements. As a Head of Internal Control Services at the National Social Security Institute, she gained invaluable experience assessing performance measurement and compliance using indicators for audits. Dr. Alma holds a bachelor’s degree in economics, a Juris Doctor degree, and an MBA.

Daniela Rodríguez Conde, a graduate in Political Science and International Relations from CIDE, currently serves as the Grants Analyst for the Mexico Awareness Raising Project. Her experience includes key roles in academic institutions and international organizations, where she gained extensive understanding of international cooperation and social impact. This strong background and experience enable her to effectively contribute to the evaluation and development of significant projects in her current role.

Verónica Romero studied Psychology at the Universidad Iberoamericana, specializing in Health Prevention Campaigns at the Universidad Hebraica de México. Later, she shifted her focus to Communication, earning a master's degree in Communication and Digital Media from the Universidad de las Américas Puebla. She also pursued photography through the Professional Photography Diploma at the Academy of Visual Arts.

Verónica has worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, branding and advertising agencies, and media analysis companies. She is passionate about photography, visual communication, language, and digital media.

Azucena Sandoval Alcíbar, a Mexican internationalist with over 10 years of experience in cooperation projects, has provided international technical assistance in the PROTLCUEM and the Social Cohesion Laboratory with the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AMEXCID) and the European Union in Mexico. Azucena has served as a project coordinator with an interdisciplinary focus at institutions such as CIDE, working on PIRCE and the National Laboratory of Public Policies; also at ITESM, coordinating the Binational Laboratory for Intelligent Management of Energy Sustainability and Technological Training, an initiative of the Ministry of Energy, the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), and the Tecnológico de Monterrey, in collaboration with various national and international higher education institutions, both public and private, including Arizona

State University and the University of California, Berkeley. Azucena has worked as a liaison coordinator in government entities such as the Ministry of Economy and the Commercial Deputy General Directorate of the FONACOT Institute of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. She currently serves as an Administrative Officer for the GEM project.

Alonso Santibanez is the Deputy Project Director of the Mexico Awareness Raising Project under the Child Protection Unit. Before joining Partners, Alonso worked as a consultant and project manager for international organizations, development agencies, and nonprofit organizations in the fields of labor, poverty, health, and education. Mr. Santibanez earned his master’s degree in public policy at the Hertie School of Governance in Germany and is a graduate of El Colegio de México with a bachelor's degree in international relations. 

Graciela Vargas holds a degree in Business Relations, specializing in Marketing. With over 32 years of experience in the professional field, she has been involved in designing and implementing policies, programs, and strategies related to labor matters for organizations representing workers, employers, cooperatives, and civil society.

Jonathan Zamacona is a Digital Marketing expert and Social Media Analyst at MAP. With 15 years of experience, he has served as a Social Media Manager in the editorial industry for entities such as Diario EL PAÍS and Publimetro Latinoamérica. He has also worked with prominent brands including Pepsico, Grupo Carso, Bacardí Company, Telmex, and Infinitum.

Furthermore, Jonathan held the position of Deputy Director of Digital Strategy in the Government of Mexico, specifically at the Ministry of Labor. He holds a Master's degree in Social Media Marketing from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, as well as a Master's degree in Neuromarketing from UNIR Mexico. Additionally, he has specialized in Digital Transformation and Big Data Analytics.

Rosy Mi Mi is the Finance, Admin, and Field Assistant of the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Myanmar under the Economic Development and Health Unit. Her primary role is to support the F2F Myanmar country director in all finance and administrative matters and programmatic activities for implementing the F2F Tree Crops project throughout the country. This requires bookkeeping, reservations, translating, reporting, and chaperoning U.S volunteers in rural areas when applicable. 

Ai Thanda Kyaw is the Project Director of the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program in Myanmar under the Economic Development and Health Unit. She manages overall operations, including project coordination and oversight, budgeting, staff management, and liaising with USAID and other stakeholders. Ai’s role is to make sure that all aspects of the project, administrative and programmatic, are operating in compliance with Partners' policies. She brings project management knowledge from 10 years of experience in this position and has forged connections with local, national, and regional partners and with skilled professionals in the region. 

Marta Benitez is the Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. She started as a project assistant and her main roles now include the data collection and analysis necessary to support the effective implementation of projects. Marta graduated from the Catholic University of Asunción and holds a degree in economics.

Adriana Closs is the Communication Specialist for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. Her main role is to lead the Community Referrals components, developing awareness and communication materials that can raise awareness and install the public conversation on child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. With more than 20 years of experience in communication dedicated to institutional communication, Adriana has a degree in communication sciences from the National University of Asunción and a master's degree in journalism from the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid and the Official Institute of Spanish Radio and Television in Spain. 

Natalia Flor is the Finance and Administration Officer for the Ñande Ko’ẽ and ATLAS projects under the Child Protection Unit. Natalia joined Partners in 2017. Her role includes managing developing projects in Paraguay, ensuring the correct execution of the funds that are assigned to each project, as well as operational aspects. She also serves as the national office link with the Partners Home Office for all administrative, financial, and human resources matters. Before joining Partners, Natalia worked for several years for the United Nations in Paraguay. Natalia is a public accountant and graduated from the Autonomous University of Luque in Paraguay. 

Andrea Ingolotti Hetter is the Country Coordinator for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. She is specialized in project management, with more than 17 years of experience in general management, talent management, risk management, and interinstitutional partnerships, through programs and projects funded by the Paraguayan Government, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Andrea has a degree in architecture from the National University of Asunción (Paraguay) and a master's degree in architecture and in project management from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain. 

Francisco Cano is the Legal Technical Assistant for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. He leads a component called Living Laboratory, focused on analyzing legal procedures related to the compensation of damages for victims of child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. With more than 17 years of experience, Francisco has worked on different projects focused on human rights education in the public and private sectors, working nationally and internationally with state agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral agencies. Francisco is a lawyer from the National University of Córdoba in Argentina, has a master's degree in education from the University of Sydney with an emphasis on education management and leadership, and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Aurora Figueredo is the Human Trafficking Specialist for the Ñande Ko'ẽ project and Program Specialist for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. As a psychologist, she holds more than 30 years of experience in the design, management, and implementation of projects in the fields of child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, the social protection system, and protection against all types of violence against children and adolescents. Aurora has worked for programs financed by UNICEF, the International Labor Organization, Strengthen Being, the Canadian Christian Fund for Children, and the DEQUENI Foundation. 

Jazmín Pérez is the Finance and Administration Assistant for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. She provides logistical and administrative support for the activities of ongoing Partners projects in Paraguay. In addition, Jazmín is responsible for maintaining the magnetic and physical file corresponding to the Administrative and Financial area of these projects. She began her professional career in data input for monitoring and evaluation for the Paraguay Okakuaa project in 2017.

Camila Romero Muñoz is the Project Assistant for the ATLAS Project under the Child Protection Unit. She has extensive experience in the implementation of international projects in close coordination with donors from multilateral and bilateral organizations, the public sector and civil society, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay. Camila holds a degree in ​​international relations from the American University of Asunción in Paraguay. 

Madeleine Ruiz is the Legal Specialist for the ATLAS project under the Child Protection Unit. In this role, she has led the Enforcement Training Program and the ATLAS Moot Court. Madeleine is a professional expert in criminal law, with more than 20 years of experience in the practice of the legal profession. Before joining Partners, she worked as an independent legal advisor, trial lawyer, and consultant on institutional strengthening projects for public entities and civil society organizations in Paraguay. Madeleine has received specialization and master's courses in criminal law, criminal procedure, and legal techniques at the Catholic University of Asunción (UCA) and the Center for Criminal Sciences and Criminal Policy.

Jaime Torales is the Project Director for the Ñande Ko’ẽ project under the Child Protection Unit. Prior to joining Partners, Jaime worked as a consultant for different United Nations agencies (UNODC, UNDP, FAO), and as an assistant political analyst for the European Union. He holds a B.A. in international relations from Liberty University, an M.A. in international relations (diplomacy) from the University of Birmingham, and is a graduate of the Diplomatic Studies Programme of the University of Oxford.