Elizabeth Rojas
Board Member
Secretary
International Relations and Project Management
Raleigh, NC, USA

Elizabeth has had extensive experiences in project management, planning and budget management, social responsibility and international relations and cooperation.

On 2014 she participated in the prestigious Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program awarded by Fulbright and Department of State at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs – University of Minnesota. She focused her studies and professional experience in environmental and climate change policies, projects, initiatives, and strategies.

She had worked with the government of Ecuador as Director of International Relations at the Coordinating Ministry for Strategic Sectors and International Relations Manager at the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also, she has had collaborations with the local government in her home city leading the Planning and Performance Management department at the Waste Management Municipal Company.

She has a B.A. degree in business administration from University of Azuay, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of the Pacific and a master’s degree in international business from ESC Rennes School of Business.

In addition to being the board for Hero4Hope, she is a volunteer at International Focus, a nonprofit organization located in Raleigh, NC that supports area multicultural communities and international exchange through cross-cultural diplomacy and communication.

Elizabeth’s interest includes international relations, sustainability, social responsibility, helping the Latino community, women empowerment, event planning and travel.

Andy Estrella
Board Member
Treasurer
Executive Director Finance and Administration
Quito, Ecuador

Andy Estrella is Director Finance and Administration at Uribe Schwarzkopf, a construction firm. He also is Chief Finance Officer at eStar Business Group, an international trade corporation and Partner at Cerauto, a business entrepreneurship within the automotive industry.

Finance Senior Executive with +25 years of broad experience in all aspects of financial management, planning, controllership, accounting and treasury, team builder and strong coaching skills. Considered by Senior Management, peers and direct reports as highly committed, with strong leadership skills and recognized seniority. Expertise obtained as a local and expat in multi-national corporations and diverse industries, i.e. Merck & Co., Kraft Foods, Hilton Hotels, Swiss Re, in countries such as Ecuador, Perú, Venezuela and USA in New York, Miami and Los Angeles areas.

From December 2012 until December 2015, Andy held the Finance Director position for the Ecuador subsidiary of Merck Sharp & Dohme. Strong focus in Talent Management and Career Development, evolving and enhancing the profile of the Finance personnel and setting leadership towards an adequate and proactive support to the business; directly involved in business decisions of high impact aligned with strategy and mission of the subsidiary.

In addition, Acting General Manager since Nov’14 to Aug’15, creating the Business Strategy and leading the Executive Committee in its road to execute with excellence, assuring business continuity, generating access for growth supported with highly engaged and inspired leadership philosophy balancing adequately the resources with the proper segmentation & targeting under a strong and strict compliance environment.

Andy studied business administration and his title is Management Engineering with a mention in Productivity at Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and has a NIIF Diploma, IFRS certification at Universidad del Aconcagua.

Carolina Calkins
Board Member
Mass Communications and Journalism
Washington DC, USA

Carolina Calkins studied Mass Communications and Journalism at Javeriana University (Bogotá, Colombia) and is currently finishing her master’s degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communication at Georgetown University (Washington DC, USA).

She started her professional career as a Reporter and On-air Anchor for CM&, a national news station in Colombia. She has developed free press and influencer strategies for fashion, gastronomy, tourism, and lifestyle brands and served as Public Relations Manager for the eCommerce Linio and the flight and hotel metasearch engine Viajala in Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.

Currently, she works for the research and insights department of the PR agency Zeno Group in Washington DC and is very interested in helping the community, something she has been doing since she lived in Colombia by leading actions directed towards education and the construction of a more empathetic society.

Priscila Aragundi
Volunteer
International Trade Engineer
Quito, Ecuador

Priscila Aragundi is an engineer in Foreign Trade and International Negotiation, with experience in project management. Priscila aims to help and share moments of smiles and hugs with children and families who need support to alleviate their needs.

Priscila Aragundi has contributed in communities in the province of Imbabura in Ecuador in the “La Esperanza” neighborhood, in the “Albergue Madre Flora Pallotta” in Quito, Ecuador, now with HERO4HOPE she wishes to expand and unite cooperative ties within Ecuador.

Jonathan Gomez
Volunteer
Business Developer Manager
Bogota, Colombia

Jonathan Gomez is a marketing professional with experience dealing with a wide range of brands in a range of different categories. Responsible and hardworking person who loves to achieve personal and professional goals. Passionate about making a positive impact on society and local communities.

Dr. Mari Mitrani
Volunteer
MD, Doctor of Medicine, PhD Neural Therapy
Miami, Florida, USA

Dr. Maria Ines “Mari” Mitrani is the Chief Science Officer and co-founder of Organicell Regenerative Medicine, Inc. Dr. Mitrani co-founded the American Cellular & Anti-Aging Center in Quito – Ecuador, one of the first Autologous Stem Cell centers in South America and was instrumental in opening additional stem cell clinics in Guatemala, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica. Her background in international aid to underprivileged and underserved people shows her dedication to finding natural treatments for health issues affecting people who may not have access to typical Western facilities. Dr. Mitrani has also been published internationally and her multi-language ability broadens the population she can support.

Dr. Mitrani graduated as a Medical Doctor from Universidad San Francisco de Quito, in Ecuador. When she became a doctor, she took an oath which reinforced her values: “help and do no harm to patients” in her case she reassured to help and do no harm to all living beings.

HER ADVANCED TRAINING INCLUDES:
1.   Stem Cell Science
2.   Stem Cell Treatments
3.   Perinatal Laboratory Processing Techniques
4.   Family Medicine
5.   Natural Childbirth
6.   Natural Weight Loss Treatment
7.   Anti-Aging Treatments

AFFILIATIONS
Dr. Mitrani has been part of the humanitarian groups, Canadian Association of Medical Teams Abroad, the Medical Mission Ecuador, and the Knight Hospitallers dedicated to helping underprivileged people.

She has always been involved in helping others and this got even more real when Ecuador got hit by a devastating earthquake. Dr. Mitrani got to help as much as she could with the help of unbelievable souls that shares the same value of love and respect and now she wants to help not only her mother country but more people, mothers and children throughout the Americas (North, Central and South America) in one united force: Hero4Hope

Cristina Villalba
Volunteer
Graphic Designer
Weston, Florida, USA

Cristina Villalba is a graphic designer, born and raised in Ecuador and she has been living for several years in the USA. She started as a Hero4Hope volunteer from the beginning of its foundation. She likes to be able to influence by communicating in a positive way so that day-to-day help reaches those most in need. Helping makes her happy.

Andrea Dueñas Reynolds
Volunteer
Preschool Teacher
Jupiter, Florida, USA

Andrea Dueñas Reynolds is a preschool teacher graduated from Florida Atlantic University. She was born and raised in Ecuador and likes to help others and give them tools to grow. She believes in equity and loves to see people reach their potential no matter the circumstances.

Mariana Botero
Volunteer
Strategic Planner
NYC, NewYork, USA

Mariana Botero has been working for over 5 years as a planner developing marketing strategies and communication campaigns with non-governmental organizations and brands. Also, she has experience in the digital environment creating and growing communities with a social focus especially for women’s rights and climate change.

Mariana has been volunteering for more than 10 years, she has been part of organizations that work with children victims of violence and other groups serving and helping at different events for vulnerable communities.

Tatiana Cruz
Volunteer
Jewelry Designer
Quito, Ecuador

Tatiana Cruz is a prestigious jewelry designer in Quito, Ecuador. Taty has dedicated her talent to creating “La Medalla del Amor” to help with donations, reconstruction and creation of “Recinto El Limón”, in the Province of Esmeraldas after the earthquake that occurred in Ecuador.

Tatiana believes that love and compassion for those who need it most helps her to continue helping.