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 […]
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 […]
Charles J. Wortman
Mr. Wortman has over 30 years of banking experience. He is the former Managing Director of J.P. Morgan Securities based in New York. He was a part of the Global Corporate Bank responsible for coverage of large-cap utilities and pipelines, as well as coverage of Canadian corporates. He assumed that position in July 2006, when a […]
Mary Walshok
Mary Walshok is a thought leader and subject-matter expert on aligning workforce development with regional economic growth. She has authored more than 100 articles, reports, and book chapters on regional innovation, workforce development and the role of research institutions in regional economies. As an industrial social scientist focused on the dynamics of regional economic development […]
Alberto Völlmer
Chairman and CEO of Ron Santa Teresa – founded in 1796 – producer of Venezuela´s oldest rum brand. He is the founder of Project Alcatraz, a rehabilitation program for criminal gangs in the County of Revenga in the state of Aragua, which has succeeded in dismantling eleven notorious gangs, dramatically reducing the incidence of violent […]
Ambassador Thomas A. Shannon Jr.
Thomas A. Shannon, Jr. brings more than three decades of government service and diplomatic experience to his practice, providing strategic counsel to clients across a range of legislative, foreign policy, and national security issues. Most recently, Ambassador Shannon served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the third highest ranking position at the State […]
Jorge Rosenblut
From November 2018 to November 2024, Jorge Rosenblut served as the Institute’s Chairman of the Board. After working for decades as an executive leader in private industry and government, Mr. Jorge Rosenblut now works as an independent consultant to help clients incubate growth, encourage evolution from legacy practice, and transform business models to manage disruption […]