Juanita, Executive Director

Juanita is Maya Mam and is a survivor of the internal armed conflict in her home country a former political refugee. She now works with Maya leaders and elders through their traditional institutions for environmental protection, recognition of land rights, human rights, cultural preservation and education. Juanita’s work with indigenous peoples has focused on the full and effective use and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Her emphasis is focused on the right of self-determination and collective rights to lands, territories, natural resources and the environment. She holds a Master of International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Lorena, Policy and Program Manager

Lorena has worked alongside indigenous leaders, elders, attorneys, and human rights defenders for the past decade. Her work has focused on supporting indigenous peoples from the United States, Mexico, Central and South America in both local and international human rights advocacy.

Her primary areas of work have been policy, communications and fundraising efforts that assist indigenous peoples’ fight for the recognition of their right of self-determination and securing rights to lands, territories and natural resources. Lorena has worked with prominent indigenous led organizations throughout her entire career in support of the indigenous human rights movement. She studied Government and International Politics with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University in the DC area.

Ramon, Director of Operations

Ramon is an organizational development leader committed to amplifying the impact of people and organizations who drive social justice and impact in our communities.  His dedication is deeply rooted in his personal experiences, coming from a proud immigrant family that faced social challenges living in low socioeconomic communities.  As a youth, he was fortunate to access social resources and community programs that played an instrumental role in helping him overcome social disparities.  This lived experience galvanized Ramon to invest in his community through his work, just as his community invested in him.  He has dedicated his career to serving missions that aim to rebuild, nourish, and provide equal access to underserved communities.  Ramon’s work ensures that the social resources and programs that supported his development as a youth continue to be present and profound for today’s current and future generations. 

Ramon’s leadership journey began in human resources, where he implemented organizational development strategies to create mission-driven work environments. He intentionally transitioned into operation roles with the goal of aligning human resources, operations, finances, and information technology frameworks to support building cohesion and strategy within organizations.  Ramon holds a BAAS degree in Organizational Development and has recently earned a Master’s in Public Leadership from the University of North Texas at Dallas, with a focus on nonprofit and community leadership.

Andrea, Development and Communications Coordinator.

Andrea is a proud ascendent of the Maya Q’eqchi’ nation. She witnessed firsthand the unfiltered and disproportionate effects that poverty, policing, and racism had on minority communities. This experience has shaped her worldview and given her a deep understanding that just as all collective struggles are intrinsically linked, so is their collective liberation.

Andrea has continued to channel her advocacy through her work at the International Mayan League and particularly through her art as the lead communications assistant for the League. She is intentional about always rooting her activism in truth-telling and allowing the words and stories of her relatives to be told through her graphics, with the hope of sparking real and permanent change.