Executive Board

President, United States Of America

Jeffery P. Cohen

He is an international development leader with more than 25 years of experience driving complex, high-impact programs in challenging environments. His career spans the public and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on health, climate, economic growth, democratic governance, and humanitarian assistance.

 

He has managed multi-million-dollar USAID portfolios and led strategic initiatives in countries such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, and the Dominican Republic. His experience includes overseeing large-scale programs, negotiating bilateral agreements, and building partnerships aimed at sustainable results with strong local ownership.

 

His leadership style is grounded in collaboration, data-informed decision-making, and systems thinking. He has led large and multidisciplinary teams, consistently delivering measurable results aligned with development goals, national priorities, and international policy objectives.

 

He is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of Indonesian, which has enabled him to perform effectively in multicultural settings. He is distinguished by his commitment to strengthening local voices, fostering diverse teams, and advancing inclusive, lasting solutions.

Industrial and Business Administrator from UNITEC, with an MBA from INCAE and a Doctorate in Curriculum Studies from Purdue University. She previously served as Associate Dean of Academic Management and Quality and Associate Professor at Zamorano, as well as Dean of the Faculty of Administrative and Social Sciences at UNITEC. In her current role, she leads academic programs, Learn-by-Doing, student life, admissions, library, registrar, research, outreach, curriculum development, and faculty development. She has taught at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with experience in research and industrial leadership, overseeing administrative and quality processes.

Ana Margarita Maier Acosta

Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, Honduras

He has more than 20 years of experience in strategic business planning, finance, leadership, and administrative management. His background includes serving as Chief Financial Officer at Supermercados La Colonia, Controller at Bimbo Honduras, and Chief Financial Officer for Corporación MCC and Navega/Tigo Honduras. He completed a master’s degree in Finance at ISEAD University in Spain and a master’s degree in Project Management at UNITEC. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the National Autonomous University of Honduras and specialized in Financial Management at the University of San Francisco, USA. He recently earned a law degree from the Technological University of Honduras.

Herbert Julio Gaekel Wildt

Vice President of Operations and Finance, Honduras

Agricultural Engineer with an MBA and more than 37 years of professional experience. His background spans education, administration, production, and business development. He stands out for his leadership, strategic management skills, and focus on process optimization, driving the success of market-oriented projects and product quality.

David Moreira

Vice President of Productive Units, Nicaragua

More than 26 years leading Human Resources across diverse sectors. Experience in talent management, leadership development, organizational culture, and innovation in human capital. Responsible for recruitment, development, labor relations, compensation, and change management. Strategic and results-oriented approach, aligning HR with institutional objectives. Collaborative leadership and a broad perspective, building high-performing teams during expansion and restructuring processes. Academic background in Human Resources Management, Strategy, and Behavior, with relevant certifications. Committed to development and continuous improvement.

María Angélica López​

Director of Human Resources, Honduras

Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Business Administration (UNITEC Honduras) with a Master’s degree in Administration from ITESM Mexico. More than 25 years of experience in corporate banking, multilateral organizations, and international NGOs. Specialized in high-impact fundraising in the medical, surgical, and educational sectors. Experience in Credit Management, Corporate Risk, International Programs, Corporate Finance, and International Trade. Proven track record in fundraising leadership for organizations with regional and global presence across Honduras, Latin America, and the United States. Professional background includes Citibank, Operation Smile, CABEI, and Plan International.

Alejandro José Osorio Mejía

Director of Institutional Development, Honduras

"Education changes lives!” is the motto that has driven the professional career of Zamorano’s Institutional Effectiveness Manager. With more than 20 years of experience in higher education, she has led the design, implementation, and monitoring of institutional strategies, as well as educational research and policy development. She holds an International MBA from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and is a member of the Debate Society of Alumni of the Central American Technological University.

Emily Moradel Díaz

Director of Strategy and Innovation, Honduras

Law graduate from the National Autonomous University of Honduras with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Tulane University. With more than 30 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, he has handled civil, administrative, corporate, and international matters. He has advised the United States Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Presidential Secretariat, British American Tobacco, COHEP, CNBS, Grupo Terra, CABEI, among other organizations. He currently serves as legal advisor to Zamorano University and represents the institution in legal proceedings, focusing on conflict prevention and resolution to ensure institutional continuity.

Ricardo Antonio Montes Belot

Legal Counsel, Honduras.

Passionate about education as a tool for transformation, transcendence, meaning, and purpose, she has more than 20 years of experience in higher education, mental health, and student support. She is a clinical psychologist and psychopedagogue, with experience as a professor, clinical supervisor, and thesis advisor at several universities in Guatemala, as well as a trainer and facilitator in educational projects nationwide. Her academic background includes studies in university teaching, human rights, neurolinguistic programming, leadership skills, and organizational ethics.

Cynthia Brenes

Ombudsperson, Guatemala.

Public Accountant and Finance graduate, with a Master’s degree in Project Management and more than 13 years of experience as an external/internal auditor and financial consultant. Specialized in identifying and resolving problems, implementing risk-based internal controls, and ensuring business quality and efficiency. He stands out for his leadership skills, positive influence on teams, and project management capabilities to optimize processes and communication, monitor financial indicators, and ensure operational and financial continuity.

Javier Ernesto Erazo Nieto

Head of Internal Audit, Honduras