emeritus Board members

This dual-nationality agricultural economist is the founder of Café Britt and Teatro Espressivo, a theater production company that, for over two decades, has developed acclaimed stage productions such as “Mamita Yunai,” “La isla de los hombres solos,” and “Cabaret.” Since its inception, the company has staged more than 100 plays and conducted significant national and international tours with renowned artists.

He is also the president of the Asociación Cultural Teatro Espressivo (ACTE), a nonprofit organization created to support high-quality artistic innovation and promote the engagement of new audiences. ACTE has won several national awards, including the 2019 Cultural Management Award, and is responsible for the Human Rights Film Festival and Ediciones Espressivo (literature).

Additionally, Aronson leads the Fundación Demain, which has been working for over a decade to support the performing arts, environmental care, and education in Costa Rica.

Abby is a lifelong advocate, social entrepreneur, storyteller, and mother with over 20 years of experience in leading human rights organizations and over 15 years in producing, writing, and directing award-winning films and campaigns. In 2018, she founded Variant Strategies, a company that uses film to translate complex issues into compelling, actionable stories. Her work has mobilized millions, influenced over a dozen laws, prevented numerous deportations, and directed millions of dollars in public funding to underserved communities.

Before founding Variant Strategies, Abby co-founded several notable organizations, including the Global Justice Center, the New Media Advocacy Project, and A Human Right. She has led strategic advocacy campaigns across six continents, produced over 40 advocacy videos, and consulted for prominent international organizations such as UN Women, UNHCR, and the Nike Foundation. Her work has impacted clients like Brooklyn Defenders Service, the ACLU, and Hispanics in Philanthropy.

Abby serves on the Board of Democracy Lab and the Global Advisory Board of WorldPulse. She is an alumna of the Coro Women in Leadership Program and American University's School of International Service.

Committed to lifelong learning and bridging divides, Abby believes in the power of visual storytelling to drive empathy and create a more just and equitable world. Her notable projects include the "We Have Rights" animated video series, which reached over 24 million immigrants and played a crucial role in preventing deportations, and a film that helped establish Armenia's first domestic violence law.

 Margarita Herdocia is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist known for her leadership in various industries. She manages a diverse portfolio through her Family Office, including investments in finance, technology, healthcare, and real estate. Margarita is also involved in running popular restaurant chains like TGIFridays and KFC. Committed to creating positive social impact, she actively supports numerous philanthropic initiatives and NGOs, focusing on education, democracy, and social harmony. Margarita's academic background includes degrees from Duke University and Columbia University’s Barnard College. She is recognized for her leadership potential as a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Moderator for CALI. Margarita's achievements have been highlighted in media outlets, including a feature on the cover of Forbes Magazine for her contributions to the food franchise industry.

Camelia Ilie is an entrepreneurial leader, advisor and professor with 30 years of experience in value creation, strategy, innovation and P&L management in organizations in Europe, Latin America and the U.S. She is Dean of Strategy and Institutional Affairs, Chair of the Leadership Center and Professor at INCAE, a leading business school in Latin America. During the last decade, together with an excellent team of leaders, they transformed the business model of Executive Education to position it in the Top 25 of the Financial Times world ranking. In addition, they created an online education start-up, in alliance with Emeritus, a world leader in educational technology. Up to 6,500 participants from more than 15 countries studied annually in the areas he has led.

He leads programs for presidents, CEOs and boards of directors to help them improve their governance systems, focusing on competitiveness, strategy, change management, succession planning, digital transformation and innovation. She has also worked with leading corporations such as Banco Santander, Gas Natural, Iberdrola, PWC, Inter-American Development Bank, Bankinter, Telefónica, Iberia, Maersk, Copa Airlines, on leadership and change programs following M&A, procurement or strategic business transformation transactions. He is a member and Chair Emeritus of the External Advisory Board of the Institute for Advanced Studies of the University of Miami. He has been a member of the Advisory Council for Latin America of the American Association of Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB), of the Board of Trustees of LASPAU and of the Excellence in Practice Awards of the European Foundation for Management Development, among others.

Through the opportunity to work with many industries and countries, she has developed the ability to work in multicultural groups and have a global perspective. Her strengths are developing high-performance teams and managing complexity, strategy, innovation, and trend analysis to identify opportunities and anticipate change. Trained as an engineer with a doctorate in business administration, she was a research fellow at the Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University. In LaRevista, Harvard Review for Latin America, she writes in the column "Perspective in time of change". Dr. Ilie also researches and writes on higher education, business school models, MBA programs, women's entrepreneurship and leadership. In recognition of her work, she received the Women's Economic Forum's Woman of the Decade Award in Education and Leadership in Latin America and is listed in Forbes magazine's list of the 100 most powerful women in Central America and the Caribbean.

Alberto Kader, the President and CEO of Genera Holdings and a board member of Demo Lab, brings over 25 years of expertise in investment and real estate development to the forefront. Holding a degree in Business Administration from the University of Austin, Texas, Alberto has significantly impacted the landscapes of both the United States and Costa Rica. Renowned for his role in projects like Forum 1 and Forum 2 office parks, Bosques de Lindora and La Hacienda residential condominiums, and Terrazas Lindora shopping center, he has played a key role in shaping Costa Rica's real estate sector. As a founding President of the Consejo de Desarrollo Inmobiliario de Costa Rica (CODI) and an active member of organizations such as the Urban Land Institute, Alberto demonstrates a commitment to responsible land use and community development. His leadership extends to various roles, including Vice President of the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce and directorship in CINDE, Pizzerías LLC, and Glacier Global Partners. Beyond real estate, Alberto has diversified into renewable energy, showcasing his dedication to sustainable development in Latin America and the United States.

Joseph A. Strasser Endowed Professor in Public Administration, specializes in citizen participation, collaborative governance, and conflict resolution. Her award-winning research is published in top journals and recognized for its impact. She's authored books like "Public Participation for 21st Century Democracy" and "Collaborative Governance Regimes." Prior to her role at the Maxwell School, she coordinated research projects for the Indiana Conflict Resolution Institute, working with federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, the Postal Service, and the National Institutes of Health.

Alberto Trejos, with a distinguished academic background including a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, has left a significant mark both in academia and public service. His tenure as Minister of Foreign Trade in Costa Rica, where he spearheaded pivotal negotiations such as CAFTA, underscored his expertise in international trade and economic policy. Additionally, his contributions as President of CINDE, along with his involvement in shaping regulatory frameworks like CONASSIF, demonstrate his commitment to fostering economic growth and stability. Beyond his governmental roles, Trejos' influence extends globally through his leadership positions in organizations like the Brenthurst Foundation and the Democracy Lab, where he continues to advocate for sustainable development and democratic principles.

As a trusted advisor to governments, international bodies, and corporations across diverse regions, his insights and guidance have played a crucial role in shaping policies and strategies aimed at promoting economic prosperity and social progress. Currently, he continues to leverage his expertise as Vice President at Cuestamoras Corporation and through his engagements with BAC-Credomatic Bank, alongside his consultancy roles at CEFSA and DRP, ensuring his ongoing impact on economic and social development initiatives worldwide.

Enrique is a young Costa Rican, passionate about marine conservation and the blue economy. Since a teenager, Enrique has been actively involved with local sustainability movements through non-governmental organisations and led protests against the consumption of shark fin in Costa Rica. Currently, Enrique is part of the non-profit organisation Misión Tiburón and the GalloPintoTV digital platform. In 2018, Enrique was part of the Misión Tiburón team that created the first Shark Sanctuary in Costa Rica. Through underwater photographs, publications and talks, this young Costa Rican seeks to promote the sustainable development of Costa Rican coastal communities. In his spare time, Enrique is in the sea practicing scuba, surfing and responsible fishing.