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.
FLORENCE ARSONNEAU
Project Manager
An agricultural engineer with a degree in Social Sciences of Development and International Relations, Florence Arsonneau is also director in France of the FIBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) and coordinator of the Forum on Origin, Diversity and Territories.
Florence is specialized in the implementation and management of cooperation projects at local level, both for national and international actors.
Its areas of specialization include rural and territorial development, biocultural diversity, labor integration, public agrifood markets, short supply chains, family agriculture, sustainable tourism and rural-urban linkages.
RAQUEL MAESTRO
Project Coordinator
Raquel is a Sociologist specialized in Cooperation for Development and Social Inclusion.
She has worked in the field of cooperation and development in Spain for organizations such as the Juanjo Torrejón Foundation and the NGO De Igual a Igual, designing and implementing social inclusion projects for vulnerable populations (children, youth and adults) and for entrepreneurial women.
She has experience in the design of educational projects in countries such as India and also has experience as a sociologist, having worked in institutions such as the Center for Sociological Research, the Carlos III Foundation and the Communications Department of the City of Madrid.
During a long stay in the United States, she finished her training as an Intercultural Mediator, and in 2018 she started her personal blog Connecting Cultural Diversity, where she publishes articles and different contents on a regular basis.
VIVIANA GAMBOA
BA in Literature, Conflict Resolution Specialist, with a Master’s Degree in Peace, Resilience and Social Justice.
Extensive experience in design, management and direction of culture and peace building projects with a focus on gender, ethnic groups, development and international cooperation.
Expertise in editorial processes, design of creative methodologies, public and inter-institutional relations. Doula, meditator, trauma-sensitive mindfulness instructor (in training).