Christian Chavez
Christian Chavez is Systems Administrator at the Institute of the Americas. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego. His passion for computers from a very young age drew him to work in the field since 2003. His experience ranges from computer sales and repair, to network and telecomm […]
Chris Nyce
Chris joined the Institute as the Director of Economic Competitiveness in August 2026. Prior to formally joining the team, Chris served as the Institute’s third Diplomatic Fellow. Before joining the Institute, Chris served for over twenty years overseas in leadership positions as a Foreign Service Officer with the US Department of State. Chris joined the […]
Marianne Feldmann
Marianne Feldman is the Special Assistant to the President & CEO at the Institute of the Americas. She comes to the IOA with extensive experience in the energy sector, business consulting, and regulatory affairs. Marianne has held senior roles at Minsait (an Indra Company), BBVA Mexico, and IEnova (a Sempra Company), where she delivered strategic […]
Francesca Carrillo Diaz
Francesca Carrillo-Díaz is the Director of Facilities Management and Communications Associate at the Institute of the Americas. Through virtual, hybrid, and in-person events, IOA’s Public Programming aims to increase our visibility, engagement, and reach in various communities including UC San Diego, the greater binational region of San Diego/Baja California, Southern California, and Latin America. In […]
Diana Rodríguez
Diana Rodríguez has been Energy Program Associate for over ten years. Diana will also be managing Communications and Marketing strategies for the Institute. Prior to joining the Institute, Diana worked assisting the DCM at the Embassy of Colombia in Washington, D.C., for seven years. She holds a BA on International Trade from Los Libertadores University […]
Rita Oliveira
Rita Oliveira is a Program Associate for the Energy and Sustainability Program. She is also the Office and HR Manager as well as Assistant to the President. Rita holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Portugal and MBA from National University, in San Diego. Prior to joining the Institute, she worked […]
Catalina López-Sagástegui
Catalina López-Sagástegui is a Marine Biologist from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (2001) in La Paz, Mexico, and obtained a Masters degree on marine biodiversity and conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (2006). Although her initial interests focused on marine mammal ecology, her focus shifted to understanding how coastal communities adapt to changes […]
Elizabeth Mosqueda
Elizabeth is a climate policy and sustainability expert with over 17 years of experience across the public and private sectors. She specializes in climate change mitigation and adaptation through policy design, corporate climate action, and innovation in green technologies. She has contributed to national and international initiatives with institutions such as the Mexican Ministry of […]
Richard Kiy
Richard Kiy was appointed as President & CEO of the Institute of the Americas on August 3, 2020. Kiy was formerly General Partner with Alumbra Advisors, a consulting firm with clients in the U.S, Mexico and Central America. Prior to that, Kiy served for nearly 14 years as President & CEO of the International Community Foundation […]
Jeremy Martin
Jeremy M. Martin is Vice President, Energy at the Institute of the Americas, an inter-American public policy think-tank located at the University of California San Diego (UCSD). The Institute of the Americas Energy Program works to foster a deeper understanding of the most critical energy issues facing the Western Hemisphere. Jeremy spends his time delving […]