President and founder of Diversity & Development
An agroeconomist and geographer, Guillen Calvo is also co-founder of the “Platform for Biocultural Diversity and Territories”, founder of the “Origin, Diversity and Territories” Forum and Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean of the consulting firm INSUCO.
Guillén has participated in the creation and development of multiple international networks and platforms, related to rural development and the valorization of biocultural heritage.
He has taught at universities such as the Sorbonne in Paris, the National University of Medellin and the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.
He is currently a professor at the Universidad del Externado in Colombia and a member of the University’s Territorial Development and Sustainability research group.
CLAUDIA RANABOLDO
Associate Researcher
Educator specialized in Rural Sociology and Cultural Anthropology (Università di Torino, Italy), Claudia Ranaboldo is also co-founder of the “Platform for Biocultural Diversity and Territories”.
For 12 years, she was a senior researcher at RIMISP – Latin American Center for Rural Development, and was also the coordinator of the Territorial Development and Cultural Identity Program for 10 years. She works in many Latin American countries creating networks, especially with the European countries of the Mediterranean.
In this context, it has led the development of a multilevel educational system that includes accredited higher education, territorial learning and specialized high-level training.
Claudia is a visiting professor at several Latin American and European universities. She has published numerous works based on studies on agro-ecological transition, sustainable networks, women’s empowerment, territorial development and strategies to improve cultural heritage and biodiversity.
He also has extensive experience in consulting in these areas, having collaborated with national and international agencies.
MÉLANIE LEBRUN
Director of Operations
Coordinator of projects on territorial development and culture, Mélanie Lebrun holds a diploma in political science and specializes in political sociology (Paris 1 – Panthéon-Sorbonne).
He has worked for more than 10 years in France and various Latin American countries, carrying out cultural development projects with economic, social and environmental impact.
He has held management positions in different cultural institutions and has organized many events (festivals, forums, conferences, etc.), promoting free access to culture as a factor of development and local inclusion.
RAQUEL MAESTRO
Project Coordinator
Raquel is a Sociologist specialized in Cooperation, Social Inclusion, intercultural mediation and copywriting. She is a writer and has more than 10 years of experience in the Third Sector, intervening in countries in Europe, Africa and Latin America through biocultural diversity projects, strategic communications and alliances.
She has experience in the design of educational projects in countries such as India and in public institutions such as the Center for Sociological Research, the Carlos III Foundation and the Communications Department of the Madrid City Council. Since 2018, he has run his personal blog Connecting Cultural Diversity, where he publishes articles and different content periodically.
ARES RUIZ
CTO (Chief Technology Officer)
With a degree in Business Administration and Management (ADE) and Computer Engineering, Ares Ruiz is responsible for the technical department, contributing his experience to the development and implementation of the technological strategies of the Association.
SEBASTIÁN BARBOSA
Creative Director
In 17 years, Sebastián has had the fortune of working on projects for different clients and companies. He currently focuses, with his design studio, on the development of community projects. He is specialized in developing visual ideas and communication strategies for high social impact projects.