Felipe Jurado Díaz is a distinguished clinical neurologist and professor of neurology at the University of Chile. With over 40 years of work in the YMCA, he has been a volunteer, President of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, the Chilean YMCA Federation, and a member of the Executive Committee of the World Alliance of YMCAs.

Deeply passionate about his family, reading, history, philosophy, and poetry, he currently practices at Barros Luco Hospital, INDISA Clinic, and the SSMS Tele-Stroke Unit and supports regional governance spaces.

President of the YMCA of Montevideo, Ana Clara Marti, is a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Strategy Commission of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs. With a background in education and international cooperation and over ten years of experience in the YMCA, she leads organizational transformation and youth leadership. She is committed to building inclusive and resilient communities.

Peruvian lawyer and executive with experience in institutional leadership, strategic management, and business development. Betsabé has been the President of the National Board of Directors of YMCA Peru since 2021, the first woman and the youngest to assume this position.

She has promoted projects focused on youth employability, social innovation, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship. With education in Business Analytics, Financial Management, and Public Policy, she is a strategic partner of The Peruvian Social Incubator, advancing social impact businesses and international cooperation.

Betsabé has led a research project on prisons, which was recognized by PUCP, and advised on legislative projects concerning constitutional and human rights issues. She is fluent in Spanish, English, and German.

Lina María Grajales Moreno (Colombia) serves as the General Director of YMCA Risaralda. With a background in business administration and a specialization in project management, she has led initiatives in youth participation and community governance.

Her international experience includes representing her community at the Youth Summit of the Americas in Mexico. Lina previously served as Chair of the YMCA Risaralda Board (2021–2025), where she championed youth leadership and inclusion. Her work reflects a strong commitment to nonprofit leadership, community development, and institutional strengthening.

Valeria Ruiz joined the YMCA of Mexico in 2019 as the Coordinator of the YMCA Homes for Migrant Youth. With a presence in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Piedras Negras, the YMCA Homes for Migrant Youth have served over 75,000 children and teens since 1991.

Valeria studied International Relations at the Autonomous University of Baja California and holds a master’s in International Migration at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte.

Valeria participates in the Coalición Pro Defensa del Migrante and is an Advisor to the Elias Landsmanas Chair on unaccompanied migrant children of Anahuac University. As a leader, she focuses a significant part of her work on inspiring communities through philanthropic initiatives, building strategic alliances, and creating opportunities for young professionals. Valeria was recently appointed Binational Strategies Coordinator for Mexico–San Diego. She will lead initiatives benefiting youth on both sides of the border.

As Director of the YMCA San José, he holds a Master’s degree in Human Development (FLACSO), a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (Udelar), and a technical degree in Education for Leisure and Recreation (UCU). He also holds a Culture and Heritage diploma and is pursuing another in Tools to Strengthen Socio-Emotional Development in Educational Contexts.

He focuses on institutional management and community development, promoting training processes integrating play, citizenship, and social innovation.

Antonio Merino is the General Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs (YMCA LAC). With over 20 years of experience in international development and social impact, he focuses on creating innovative youth-led strategies and programs to address structural inequalities.

Previously, Antonio worked for the YMCA of the USA in Chicago, leading international capacity-building initiatives and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Global Inclusion strategies. He has extensive volunteer experience, including frontline program delivery in Mexico and the USA, and a six-month internship with the YMCA of Lebanon.

Antonio holds a Law Degree from Universidad La Salle, a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University. He is an alumnus of Harvard’s Executive Education program in Nonprofit Leadership. He also teaches International Relations at Universidad Anáhuac.

María Soria is a social worker with a strong background in psychosocial intervention and mental health. She holds a degree in Social Work, is a certified sex educator/sexologist, and has completed postgraduate studies in social therapy from a Gestalt perspective.

She coordinated the international Eleva program for two consecutive years, focusing on early mental health interventions and promoting safe, supportive spaces for young people. María works as a professional social worker at YMCA Salto, where she promotes holistic well-being and social inclusion through a community-based approach.

Valeria Ruiz joined the YMCA of Mexico in 2019 as the Coordinator of the YMCA Homes for Migrant Youth. With a presence in Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, and Piedras Negras, the YMCA Homes for Migrant Youth have served over 75,000 children and teens since 1991.

Valeria studied International Relations at the Autonomous University of Baja California and holds a master’s in International Migration at El Colegio de la Frontera Norte.

Valeria participates in the Coalición Pro Defensa del Migrante and is an Advisor to the Elias Landsmanas Chair on unaccompanied migrant children of Anahuac University. As a leader, she focuses a significant part of her work on inspiring communities through philanthropic initiatives, building strategic alliances, and creating opportunities for young professionals. Valeria was recently appointed Binational Strategies Coordinator for Mexico–San Diego. She will lead initiatives benefiting youth on both sides of the border.

Renata Ferrari is the Senior Director of Global Development on the Global Relations and Community Engagement team at YMCA of the USA. With over 35 years in the YMCA movement, she leads strategies to strengthen YMCAs outside the U.S. in governance, strategic planning, philanthropy, and impact evaluation. She advises Puerto Rico YMCAs and promotes international partnerships.

A YMCA professional since 1986, Renata began her career at the YMCA of Montevideo, Uruguay, where she worked for the first 17 years. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and a Master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Organizational Management and Leadership from Springfield College.

General Secretary of YMCA Barbados since 2022, Ramona Smart, brings a strong background in market research, data analysis, and knowledge management across the Caribbean.

Before joining the YMCA, she spent several years in consumer and B2B market research. She served as Knowledge Officer at a regional real estate group, where she led trend analysis and strategic information dissemination.

At the YMCA, she has spearheaded the design and implementation of “It Takes Two,” an innovative fundraising initiative that has significantly strengthened support for essential youth programs. Her approach blends technical expertise, a deep commitment to community development, and a strategic vision of sustainability and youth empowerment.

Izabel Vito was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and began her professional career in the ACM / YMCA São Paulo in 1996, as Commercial and Management Analyst. In the early 2000s, she was invited to finish her studies at the YMCA São Paulo Executive Directors Preparatory Institute, while working as Program Coordinator. She graduated in 2004 as the YMCA São Paulo Executive Director and has worked in many YMCA São Paulo branches as Branch and Program Executive Director.

Izabel has participated in the management of branches and the management of Social Centres. With her experience, she was appointed as the Social Development Department & Human Resources Department Executive Director.

Today, Izabel Vito is a Senior Executive Director at the Social Development Department in YMCA São Paulo and runs the social centres YMCA São Paulo has in its 19 branches.

Gerardo has been part of the YMCA movement since childhood. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Public Services Regulation from PUCP, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). He has extensive experience leading capital projects from the owner’s side. As a volunteer, he has held multiple programmatic and governance roles, including serving twice as Chair of the Board of YMCA Peru. He currently serves as Chair of the Executive Committee of YMCA LAC, supporting the Regional Node in strengthening institutional capacity. He also sits on the World Alliance Executive Committee, contributing his expertise in governance, strategic planning, and policy development.

Antonio Merino is the General Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs (YMCA LAC). With over 20 years of experience in international development and social impact, he focuses on creating innovative youth-led strategies and programs to address structural inequalities.

Previously, Antonio worked for the YMCA of the USA in Chicago, leading international capacity-building initiatives and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Global Inclusion strategies. He has extensive volunteer experience, including frontline program delivery in Mexico and the USA, and a six-month internship with the YMCA of Lebanon.

Antonio holds a Law Degree from Universidad La Salle, a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University. He is an alumnus of Harvard’s Executive Education program in Nonprofit Leadership. He also teaches International Relations at Universidad Anáhuac.

Carlos began his YMCA journey as a volunteer in his home country of Togo. In 1987 he was appointed Leadership Development Secretary and worked his way up to Deputy General Secretary. In 1999, Carlos joined World YMCA in Geneva as Executive Secretary of Finance and Administration, contributing to strategic planning. In 2007, he became General Secretary of the African Alliance of YMCAs in Nairobi, leading significant youth empowerment efforts.
In 2018, Carlos made history as the first African elected World YMCA Secretary General, assuming the role in 2019 and emphasizing radical collaboration for global youth empowerment. He holds degrees in Physics, Chemistry, and social practices from Université du Bénin in Togo and a “Diplôme des Hautes études de pratiques sociales (DHEPS)” from Université Lyon Lumière II, France.

She has worked with organizations such as YMCA Colombia, OEI and Fundación Niñas Sin Miedo, and has led business incubation initiatives from Wikideas. She is a university professor and holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and Business Administration.

With 40 years of dedicated service to the YMCA, Alveiro Valencia, Executive Director of the Colombian Federation, is a purpose-driven leader fueled by a passion for serving others. His faith is at the heart of both his personal and professional life.

Alveiro spent over a decade working in YMCA camps across the U.S., gaining valuable international experience that shaped his vision. In Colombia, he led the international division of YMCA Bogotá, launching English immersion programs. As Executive Director of the Colombian YMCA Federation for the past 22 years, he established a bilingual and intercultural department that now offers 14 programs to more than 5,000 participants, creates 120 jobs, and generates an annual revenue of $150,000 USD.

A strong advocate for experiential education and language learning, Alveiro takes pride in seeing his daughters, Danna and Juliana, share his passion for service and global mobility.

Evelyn Daskalakis is a licensed mental health counselor and the Vice President of Social Services and Mental Health at the YMCA of Greater San Francisco.

Since 2004, she has led comprehensive programs for youth and families, focusing on equity, community wellbeing, and sustainability.

Evelyn is committed to creating impactful services that address systemic inequities and promote community well-being. She also plays a key role in securing funding through donor engagement, grant writing and fostering relationships with public and private agencies to ensure the long-term viability of these vital programs. She believes meaningful change happens at the intersection of healing and justice and she is passionate about helping organizations create resilient, equity-driven programs that not only serve communities but thrive through long-term sustainability and visionary investment.

María Soria is a social worker with a strong background in psychosocial intervention and mental health. She holds a degree in Social Work, is a certified sex educator/sexologist, and has completed postgraduate studies in social therapy from a Gestalt perspective.

She coordinated the international Eleva program for two consecutive years, focusing on early mental health interventions and promoting safe, supportive spaces for young people. María works as a professional social worker at YMCA Salto, where she promotes holistic well-being and social inclusion through a community-based approach.

Andrea Lamprea is a Business Administrator and Psychologist with extensive experience in human resources within multinational companies. She serves as a Human Resources Business Partner at Siemens Healthineers, volunteer at YMCA Bogotá in Colombia, and is a member of the Regional Youth Commission.

Fluent in English and Portuguese, she has also participated in volunteer work and research projects, standing out for her commitment and results-oriented approach.

Bassielis Mabel Silverio Báez is a Dominican professional recognized for her education, journalism, and community leadership work. Since 2018, she has been President of the Young Volunteer Leaders of the YMCA Dominican Republic, promoting youth development. Since 2020, she has also been the official Caribbean spokesperson for the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs, strengthening regional collaboration.

With experience as an English teacher, journalist, and data analyst, Bassielis brings strong skills in problem-solving, leadership, and working under pressure.

Antonio Merino is the General Secretary of the Latin American and Caribbean Alliance of YMCAs (YMCA LAC). With over 20 years of experience in international development and social impact, he focuses on creating innovative youth-led strategies and programs to address structural inequalities.

Previously, Antonio worked for the YMCA of the USA in Chicago, leading international capacity-building initiatives and promoting Diversity, Equity, and Global Inclusion strategies. He has extensive volunteer experience, including frontline program delivery in Mexico and the USA, and a six-month internship with the YMCA of Lebanon.

Antonio holds a Law Degree from Universidad La Salle, a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University. He is an alumnus of Harvard’s Executive Education program in Nonprofit Leadership. He also teaches International Relations at Universidad Anáhuac.

Dr. Mónica Xavier is a cardiologist and currently serves as the Director of the National Institute for Women (Inmujeres) in Uruguay. She is a prominent advocate for human rights and gender equity in the country. Throughout her extensive political career, she has served as a senator, President of the Broad Front (Frente Amplio), and Secretary General of the Socialist Party. From each of these roles, she has championed key legislation to advance gender equality.

Today, in her role in public administration, she leads policies aimed at expanding rights and improving living conditions for women, especially those facing greater vulnerabilities.