CALI V Fellows

COSTA RICA

Adrian Chinchilla Miranda

Adrian Chinchilla MirandaGeneral Manager, Futura Developments. He contributed to the development of Guanacaste, tourism area located in the north pacific coast of Costa Rica.  He developed Plaza Futura Office and Commercial Center, which has been a pioneer project in the area. His professional experience has not been limited to the private sector. In 1998 at the age of 30 he was appointed Mayor of Escazu, the city with the largest commercial and residential growth in the country. For four years he ran the Municipality, which was appointed as model in Latin America, by the United Nations Development Programme in the year 2003. In 2009 and 2010 he managed the presidential campaign for his sister Laura Chinchilla. He combines his professional activities with family and sports. As a golf fan he has been part of the Costarrican team that represents the country in the Central American golf tournaments.

Gabriela Llobet

Gabriela LlobetDirector General, CINDE (Costa Rican Investment Promotion Agency), were she directs the organization to successfully continue attracting foreign direct investment in the high technology sector to Costa Rica, and thus create value added jobs for Costa Ricans. Prior to joining CINDE, she worked with INTEL as the Corporate Affairs Manager. Previous to that, she was appointed Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade. She is an attorney and holds her degree in Law from the University of Costa Rica. She also holds a Masters of Law degree in International Trade Law from Georgetown University and a Masters of Law in Environmental Law from The George Washington University.

Gaston Monge Chevez

Gaston Monge ChevezChairman & CEO, Grupo Monge, Costa Rica, Central Americas’ leading company in Consumer Electronics Retail Industry with 350 stores in the 5 countries of the region.   were he is responsible for Corporate Strategic Management. Prior to joining this family owned business, Gaston was Regional Planning Director for Grupo Financiero Promerica; a Financial Services Corporation operating over 8 banking institutions in Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Member of INCAE Business Schools’ Comite Nacional in Costa Rica and also a member of YPO/WPO Costa Rica Charter. Earned an M.B.A. from INCAE Business School in Costa Rica and a B.A. from Universidad de Costa Rica.

Paulo César Wanchope

Paulo César WanchopeFormer soccer player and Head Coach of CS Herediano. Regionally and globally recognized as one of the best and most successful players of the last decade, scoring more than 250 goals in the best leagues, like the English Premier, where he is remembered as one of the best Latin Americans to ever played there. As the second all-time scorer for Costa Rica he played in two World Cups (2002 and 2006). After retiring in 2008, he coached CS Herediano, and after earning his UEFA B coaching license in England, is about to obtain his FIFA A from Universidad Fundepos in Costa Rica and the coaching license from UEFA. As a widely admired and respected figure, he has always been involved in social and community causes, hence his name has become synonymous with leadership and a great role model for youth.

EL SALVADOR

Carlos Eduardo Borgonovo

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Eduardo BorgonovoExecutive Director of Borgonovo Pohl, S.A. de C.V, a leading coffee producer and export company in El Salvador. Borgonovo Pohl has formed a partnership with ECOM COFFEE GROUP, which is a leading world coffee producer, exporter and trader. He is also on the Board of Directors of Sacos Sinteticos Centroamericanos, a polypropylene production plant, Ingenio Taboga, Costa Rica’s largest sugar mill, Aquiares, one of the largest coffee producing farms in Costa Rica, and the Chamber of Agriculture of El Salvador (CAMAGRO). For the past seven years, he has been President of Asociación Salvadorena de Beneficiadores y Exportadores de Café (ABECAFE), which represents de private coffee export industry of El Salvador.  Members of ABECAFE combine for over 60% of the country’s coffee exports.  Earned a B.A. from Babson College and an M.B.A. from INCAE.

Claudia Eunice Cruz Salmeron

Claudia Eunice Cruz SalmeronCorporate Communications Manager, Cenérgica-Nejapa Power Company, a subsidiary of Inkia Energy (Israel Corporation), which operates a marine fuel terminal, and the Nejapa Power Plant, the first private thermal generator in the Salvadorian wholesale electricity market. She is responsible for the company’s public relations and corporate social responsibility, providing counsel in energy market, legal, labor and environmental issues, as well as mergers and acquisitions. An advocate for Corporate Social Responsibility, she acts as Chairwoman of the CSR committee in the American Chamber of Commerce and has collaborated with FUNDEMAS in the Ethics and Transparency Committee responsible for the Business Ethics Guide. Serves as a Board Member of the non-profit Glasswing International, participates in the Walton International Scholarship recruiting committee and volunteers through Crisálida as an English teacher for a program aimed at students from rural public schools in her community. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of the Ozarks and a Master in Corporate Social Responsibility from the University of Barcelona.

Marlon Hernández Anzora

Marlon Hernández AnzoraPolitical Commission’s Member of Cambio Democrático Party (CD), and Professor of Political Science and Theory of Government at El Salvador University. As the national youth coordinator of a political party in the government, he is in charged of the young people’s training on organization, social-democrats political ideas, political communication and leadership skills. As member of the Political Commission, he is one of the public and media official voices of the party. As university professor, he is the director of the Political Science E-Newsletter of the Faculty of Law. Earned his Master’s degree from the International and Iberoamerican Foundation of Public Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), in Madrid, Spain.

Johanna Hill

Johanna Hill DutrizManaging Partner, CA Trade Consulting Group, San Salvador, El Salvador, were she advises firms interested in taking advantage of trade agreements, as well as on issues regarding market access, compliance with rules of origin and customs procedures, trade defense instruments and economic integration. She is also Executive Director for El Salvador’s Chamber of Telecommunications. Prior to joining CA Trade, she served as Vice Minister of Economy of El Salvador; Chief Negotiator for the European Union – Central America Association Agreement, the Doha Round at the World Trade Organization, negotiations with Canada and the Central American Economic Integration Process; Trade Policy Director; and Chief Negotiator for the Labor and Environment groups of the US – Central America – Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA – DR).

GUATEMALA

Luis Pedro Alvarez Morales

Luis Pedro Alvarez MoralesOwner of “Alvarez Law”, Guatemala, Guatemala. Practices law now as a sole practitioner focusing on commercial law, contract law and litigation. Has become a prominent journalist defending and promoting individual freedom and personal responsibility. He is now part of a radio and Internet streamed talk show on the ideas of liberty.  Co-founder of National Civic Monument (MCN). Served as Vice-President and President of the “Institute for Justice” in Guatemala and Director of the Guatemalan Chamber of Journalism.  Pofessor of Criminal Law at Universidad Francisco Marroquín. Earned his law degree from Universidad Francisco Marroquin, and attained a graduate degree as “Expert in Penal Law” from the University of Salamanca in Spain.

María Isabel Luján

Maria Isabel LujanPartner, Quiñones, Ibargüen & Luján, S.C., where she focuses in corporate law, international business transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and international financings. Also serves as member of several boards of directors of Guatemalan companies and has taught Commercial Law at Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala. Co-founder, board member and pro-bono legal advisor of Fundación Proyecto de Vida, a non-profit organization that promotes the GuateAmala Movement; co-founder, board member and pro-bono legal advisor of Asociación Civil Cuatro Grados Norte; and, board member of the Camara Oficial Española de Comercio en Guatemala. Earned a Master in International and Comparative Law (LLM) from Vrije Universiteit Brusel (Belgium), a Master in Comparative Jurisprudence (MCJ) from New York University School of Law as a Fulbright Scholar, and graduated as attorney-at-law, notary public and licentiate in juridical sciences from the Law School of Universidad Francisco Marroquín (Guatemala).

Roberto Rosenberg

Roberto RosenbergFounder and Managing Director of Aprisa, Acabados y Procesos Industriales, S.A., a manufacturing company of steel wire products that serves the commercial and industrial refrigeration industry and other lines of wire products such as POP displays, shelving, fences, etc. Has participated in different community projects, including his recent involvement with Sumpango, an indigenous community in Guatemala, helping them improve their famous Giant Kite Festival celebrated every year. Has been part of Entrepreneur´s Organization, a global organization with more than 7400 members around the world, since 2000. Served in different leadership positions, becoming the Chapter President in 2005 and currently he is part of the LAC Regional Board.

Eduardo Tabush

Eduardo TabushCEO, Joomlashack.com. Entrepreneur that enjoys creating new companies only to move on to something different after a few years. Most recently, sold La Uva, Divinos, and Vinoteca, a wholesaler and retailer of specialty foods and wines in Guatemala and El Salvador. Started La Uva from scratch with one salesperson and in 8 years, he grew it to over 80 employees with an enviable portfolio of market leading brands. Despite his successful entrepreneurial history, he is most proud of his work with Habitat for Humanity were he was nominated and accepted to serve on the International Board of Directors (IBOD) for Habitat for Humanity International directing the organization’s program in the world. Earned a B.S. from Babson College.

HONDURAS

Emin Jorge Abufele Marcos

Emin Jorge Abufele MarcosPresident of Sociedad Eléctrica Mesoamericana, S.A. (SEMSA). As President of SEMSA, Emin defines future developments and investments of the Company in renewable energies and represents the company in policy matters affecting the renewable energy sector. Before founding SEMSA, Emin was General Manager for sixteen years of IMSA, a wheat and corn flour mill located in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, which is among the top five flour mills in Central America. Additionally, Emin currently occupies the Board of Directors of Hermacasa (a steel file manufacturing company with sales in the USA and Central America). He is currently the Treasurer of Nutrehogar, a non for profit organization that houses and cares for mal nourished children ages 6 months – 6 years old, a Board Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cortes, as well as of the National Association of Industry of Honduras. Emin earned his Management Engineering degree from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts.

Vika Yovanka Martell Castro

Vika Yovanka Martell CastroPolitician, Member of the Liberal Party of Honduras. Initiated her political activity in the Liberal Youth Party eight years ago, since then participating actively in the party working in several management positions. Was Secretary of Planning for the Liberal Youth and Vice-President of the Central Executive Counsel of the institution. Has collaborated with the Naumann Fundation as the moderator in topics of political formation, especially for young people. Earned her Bachelor degree in Law at the National University of Honduras and Master’s degree in financial economics from the University of Sevilla in Spain.

Juan Carlos Sabillón

Juan Carlos SabillónPresident, SECCAZSA and INVALLE, first Company to provide a complete agricultural and harvest service to Sugar Mills and BioMass industries in Honduras. INVALLE started as a small housing development company that now has Real State projects all over the country. Member of the Board of Directors of Saint Vincent de Paul Foundation, Escuela Internacional Sampedrana and the Chamber of Commerce. He is focused on improving education as the most basic need of Third World Countries. Earned an M.B.A. from INCAE in Costa Rica and a B.S. from Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama.

Octavio R. Sánchez B.

Octavio R. Sánchez B.Visiting Professor and Researcher, University of Arizona; and Senior Fellow, National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade. Has been working for the past three years on several initiatives to better the legal infrastructure used for trade between the United States and Latin American countries. Prior to this, he was Minister of Culture and Presidential Advisor for Property Reform under the Maduro Administration in Honduras. Before entering government he practice as a private lawyer and advise several financial institutions in his home country. He is the author and translator of several books on history and property. He is a lawyer from the National University of Honduras (Summa Cum Laude); and holds an LLM with concentration in International Finance from the Harvard Law School (Landon H. Gammon Fellow, 2000).

NICARAGUA

Claudia Neira Bermudez

Claudia Neira BermudezFounder and Director of Crea Comunicaciones. She is a strategic advisor in communication with emphasis in public affairs, social and business development. She stands out with her contribution in the design, implementation and assessment of plans and communication strategies for the private and public sectors. She worked in the design and implementation of the Communication Strategy for the Government of Nicaragua during the administration of President Enrique Bolaños (2001-2006). She worked in the Office of External Relations of the Inter American Development Bank in Washington, D.C., for over three years. Has a B.A. in Social Communication and an M.A. in Communication and Public Relations, at Marshal University.  Part time professor at  Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) and Universidad Americana (UAM).

Javier Chamorro Rubiales

Javier Chamorro RubialesExecutive Director of PRONicaragua the official Investment Promotion Agency of the Government of Nicaragua. The agency has been charged with the government’s primary responsibility for Foreign Direct Investment Promotion. Has had a lengthy career working in private sector companies, especially in sales and marketing areas, from 1998 to 2007, working as Commercial Director for OCAL S.A. a leading consumer goods importer and distributor in Nicaragua; Sales Country Manager for Kellogg’s Company Central America; and as Head Department Buyer for Central American Retail Holding (currently Wal-Mart Central America). He has also worked as a consultant for business development in such areas as Energy, Mining, Forestry and Tourism and has been a business developer himself in Nicaragua. His formal education is in Business Administration at the American University in Managua.

Eduardo Enriquez

Eduardo EnriquezManaging editor at La Prensa, of Managua, Nicaragua. In 2002, organized Hoy, the second daily newspaper of the company, while he kept responsibilities as managing editor at the main paper. In 2001, he started the weekly political column “Blanco y Negro”, which is still published every Saturday in La Prensa. Has worked in journalism for the last 16 years, organizing TV Noticias, the news coverage and news programs for Channel 2, and helping manage La Tribuna, a daily newspaper. Earned his Bachelor’s´s degree in journalism at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Completed his Master’s in journalism at the University of Barcelona in Spain.

Felix Maradiaga

Felix MaradiagaInternational Management Consultant at Management Systems International (MSI), were he provides organizational development and technical assistance to leading NGOs in Nicaragua. He is also a professor in Political Science at Universidad Americana (UAM). Prior to joining MSI in 2009, Felix was the founding director of Civil Society Leadership Institute, a training center on civic leadership affiliated to FIBRAS/Movement for Nicaragua. In January 2007, he completed a successful civil service career at the Ministry of Defense, an institution he helped co-found in 1997.  During his tenure in government, he served as Director of Combatant Reintegration, Senior Advisor and Defense Secretary General. He is a former Yale World Fellow (Yale University) and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. Holds a Master in Public Administration with honors, from Harvard University and a B.A. Summa Cum Laude from University of Mobile.

PANAMA

Pablo de la Guardia

Pablo de la GuardiaDirector of Strategic Alliances, Copa Airlines, Panamá, where he develops and implements strategic alliances for one of Latin Americas fastest growing and most profitable Air Transportation groups with 54 aircraft and service to 51 destinations in 24 countries. Prior to joining Copa, he worked on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. as Legislative Aide to Hon. Xavier Becerra, Member of Congress from California. He has held several posts in Panama’s private and non-profit sector. Earned a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Georgetown University and a B.A. and B.S. from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio).

Alejandro Ferrer

Alejandro FerrerPartner of the law firm Aleman, Cordero, Galindo & Lee; Honorary Business Representative (Panama) for IE Singapore; Included in the Indicative List of Governmental and Non-Governmental Panelists, Dispute Settlement Body, World Trade Organization (WTO); Member of the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), World Economic Forum; and President of the Board of Directors of the Amador Foundation-Biodiversity Museum. Has served as Minister of Commerce and Industry (2004–2008); Counselor of International Trade, Panamanian Embassy, Washington D.C. (1995-1996); Deputy Permanent Ambassador to the United Nations and other International Organizations, Geneva, Switzerland (1994-1995); and Ambassador to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva, Switzerland (1994-1995). Has a Bachelor degree in Law and Political Sciences, graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Santa Maria La Antigua University; a Master in Laws, LL.M. and a Doctorate in Science of Law, S.J.D. from The University of Michigan Law School; were he was a Fulbright Scholar.

Eida Gabriela Saiz

Eida Gabriela SaizTreasury and Finance Manager, Autoridad del Canal de Panama, were she is responsible for overseeing financial investment opportunities for the financial sources of ACP – Panama´s most important public corporation, currently engaging in the execution of the Expansion of the Panama Canal. She led the contracting of the external financing sources for the Expansion Program for US$2,300 million through the negotiation with five international development agencies. Prior joining ACP, she was Deputy Director of Public Credit for the Republic of Panama. Earned an M.B.A from INCAE Business School, and Nova Southeastern University and B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Vali Maduro de Gateño

Vali MaduroPh.D. Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice, Panama, Republic of Panama.  For the past 16 years Vali has treated individuals, couples and families. She is part of the faculty of the International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI) in Washington, DC and Panama and is the current Director of the IPI – Panama.  She is a member of the Fundación Relaciones Sanas where she was the Coordinator and Developer of Teen Screen Panama, a Program that seeks to prevent adolescent suicide and is still acts as liaison with Columbia University’s TeenScreen Program.  Vali is one of two Spanish Speaking Master Trainers for the American Association of Suicidology where she trains Mental Health professionals to evaluate and treat patients at risk. She is a volunteer with different associations and is always involved in the promotion and education of mental health issues in the public and private sectors in Panama. Vali earned her B.S. in Psychology from Florida International University, her Masters in Psychology from Miami Institute of Psychology, her Post Graduate Studies in Object Relations Theory and Therapy from the International Psychology Institute and her Ph.D. from California Southern University.