General Secretary of the Central American Economic Integration Secretariat since April 2009. Economist, has worked as a consultant on subjects of Competitiveness, Innovation, Productivity and Modernization of the State. She was Minister of Economy of El Salvador  in President Saca's cabinet leading the implementation of CAFTA in the country.  Her active efforts resulted in El Salvador becoming the first country in Central America to pass the agreement through Congress and put in place.In addition, she directed the updating of the statistical database of El Salvador with a countrywide census that hadn't been done in 15 years. During her 19 years of experience in public service, she has contributed to laying the ground for sound economic development policies and has supported regional integration efforts.  She has given emphasis to SME led economic growth and export development, as well and energy policies.  She was a founder of INFOCENTROS, an NGO charged with developing Information Technology in El Salvador, has served as director of Banco Multisectorial de Inversions (BMI) and Governor of Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI). Yolanda was granted the "Distinguised Professional" title by the University Jose Matías Delgado, where she graduated with honors in 1989.