International Board of Directors

Beth Outterson has been a part of Partners of the Americas since 1993, when she received the Partners Kellogg Fellowship in International Community Development (IX). During the fellowship period, she conducted a health theater project on HIV and drug abuse with teens in Washington D.C.’s partner city of Brasilia, Brazil. After the fellowship, Ms. Outterson became involved with the Washington, D.C. Chapter, serving as secretary for two years and later as president for six years. Earlier in her career, after receiving her master’s degree in public health and Latin American Studies, Ms. Outterson served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo). Upon her return, she worked as a health educator in the U.S. migrant and seasonal farmworkers across the eastern shore states, and later moved to Washington, D.C. to work with a national farmworker employment and training program. She then served in training and advisory roles at the U.S. Peace Corps and several nonprofit organizations, including Family Health International, Save the Children, and Medical Teams International. Ms. Outterson is currently an independent public health consultant in Portland, Oregon.

Lakritz has played a role in international educational and cultural exchange, fostering connections and collaborative endeavors across continents. While serving as a Fulbright scholar in Poland, Andrew developed an understanding of international academic frameworks that later informed his role as a resident scholar at the Study of the U.S. Branch of the State Department. Here, he leveraged his expertise to bridge educational and cultural linkages between the US and institutions worldwide. His dedication to cultivating these ties contributed to fostering mutual understanding and respect among cultures. In addition to scholarly accomplishments, Andrew has made an impact through his association with the Partners of the Americas organization local Washington DC – Brasilia Brazil chapter, where he played a role in executing several iterations of the Ambassadors of Hope educational and cultural exchange as a member and later President of the DC chapter. He has also made a career in International payments and risk management, supporting the growth and development of various global teams and organizations, building business processes and general controls, and managing software projects designed to support business objectives.  Andrew holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a Ph.D. in English from the University of California, Irvine, as well as the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute. Andrew lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Dr. Eileen Cronin, and their two pups Ricky and Joey. Their daughter Ania, currently a student at Columbia University, lives and works nearby.

Aubrey Cox Ottenstein is the co-founder and CEO of Globally, a nonprofit organization that builds communities of impact to solve global challenges. In this role, Mrs. Ottenstein leads the execution of Globally’s mission to accelerate and simplify the creation of programs that convene diverse cohorts of leaders around strategic goals. She was recently featured in Vogue for her efforts to evacuate at-risk activists from Afghanistan. Globally’s flagship program, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, is the go-to organization for emerging leaders in global affairs with a network spanning 80 countries and reaching more than 30,000 emerging leaders. Prior to founding Globally, Mrs. Ottenstein launched and led the U.S. Institute of Peace’s youth portfolio with the goal of increasing the inclusion of youth in peace and security efforts. In this role, she expanded USIP’s Generation Change Fellows Program from 12 to 22 countries, led three delegations to meet with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and launched USIP’s first-ever Youth, Peace, and Security Fund. Earlier, Ms. Ottenstein supported ACCION International’s Frontier Investments Group, a $73 million impact investment fund focused on financial technology and financial inclusion in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Mrs. Ottenstein holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and Spanish from the College of Charleston and a master’s degree from the School of International Service at American University. She lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and two children.

The former editor of the National Geographic Intranet and Américas Magazine, as well as a Reuters Digital Vision Fellow at Stanford University, Ms. Cathy Healy has bridged networks of educators since 1990. She was the special liaison for Partners’ “Connecting Teachers, Connecting Classrooms Initiative,” with iEARN and its 140-country, K-12 network enabling teachers to select from 100 virtual projects in English, Spanish, Portuguese and other languages. A director emeritus of iEARN-USA, Ms. Healy is an advisor for its world-languages program, an advisor for Educadores Globais/iEARN-Brasil, and a veteran member of Partners’ Chapters in Washington, D.C. and her home state of Wyoming. Through the end of 2018, she was the vice president of the LU Ranch, a family operation recognized for its sustainable practices and technological acumen, including being the first ranch to use computers.

Dr. Duília Fernandes de Mello’s remarkable journey from a curious child in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to a globally respected astrophysicist and educator is a testament to her unwavering dedication, resilience, and groundbreaking contributions to astronomy. With a Ph.D. in astronomy and a background encompassing a Bachelor of Science degree in astronomy and dual master’s degrees in Radio Astronomy and Physics and Astronomy, she has collaborated with esteemed institutions worldwide including the European Observatory in Chile where she discovered a supernova in Chile in 1997 and the Hubble Space Telescope Science Institute where she joined the team searching for the first galaxies in deep images of the universe. Breaking barriers as the first woman to attain full professorship in physics at the Catholic University of America, Dr. de Mello’s role as Vice Provost for Global Strategies reflects her commitment to international collaboration and education. Her engagement with the community through children’s books on space and her passion for the Oliveira Lima Library showcase her diverse interests and unwavering dedication to exploration, making her an inspirational figure in astrophysics and beyond.  

Schooley has spent the last 35+ years in senior leadership positions within two global non-profit health and development organizations — Wellstart International 1985-2000 and Project Concern International (PCI) 2000-2022 — and is now an independent consultant. While her graduate degree focused on maternal and child health, Ms. Schooley has become a multi-sectoral specialist in non-profit leadership, with an emphasis on the design, management, and measurement of comprehensive, locally led programming across all regions.  Before retiring in 2022, Ms. Schooley served as Senior Vice President for Programs at PCI (now Global Communities) overseeing technical, strategic and resource mobilization aspects of the organization.  Ms. Schooley has vast and varied experience in program design, proposal development and field implementation across a variety of global development technical areas such as health (maternal and child health, HIV, TB, NCDs, NTDs), nutrition, food security, education, livelihood security, WASH, gender, local capacity development, and humanitarian assistance. Ms. Schooley specializes in social change aspects of integrated health and development programming including social mobilization, social and behavior change, female empowerment and gender equity, innovation, local capacity strengthening, and other drivers of lasting positive change. In addition, she has significant experience in program/technical documentation and marketing; monitoring, evaluation, research and learning; strategy and policy development; and thought leadership, particularly related to community-driven, sustainable impact. Since 2007 she has taught a graduate course on social and behavior change in global public health programming at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.  Her teaching and facilitation style, even with large groups, is participatory and engaging, practical and motivating.  Ms. Schooley served on the board of CORE Group for over 18 years (including as Secretary and as Chair of the Program Development Committee) and is currently on the boards of the Gem Family Foundation and Partners of the Americas.  Ms. Schooley received her master’s in public health from San Diego State University and her undergraduate degree in history from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She is a native English speaker with professional working proficiency in Spanish.

Mr. Elias Alcocer is a social anthropologist from the Autonomous University of Yucatán and a professor at the Universidad de Oriente and the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatán. Since 1991, Mr. Alcocer has been a member of the Yucatán Chapter involved in youth, environment, and culture committees, as well as the vice president. He is currently the president of the Yucatán Chapter.

Dr. João Francisco Meira is a political scientist who has been working with public opinion, market, and electoral research, and directing projects in Brazil, and Latin American, African, and European countries during the last three decades. He also has a wealth of experience in graduate and post-graduate teaching in both public and private universities in his native state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Dr. Meira is a co-founder and board member of Vox Populi, one of the leading Brazilian private market and opinion research houses. In this capacity, he is a former vice-president and board member of ABEP (Brazilian Association of Market Media and Opinion Research) and a member of the Brazilian Political Science Association. Dr. Meira’s other professional interest field is Oenology, particularly on the development of viticulture in his hometown, Diamantina, Minas Gerais, where he runs a vineyard on his property, and collaborates with the local university in agronomical projects, historical research, and vine growing experiments.

John is the President & CEO at Partners of the Americas. He is a dynamic and strategic servant leader with over 30 years of experience in international community development and humanitarian relief. John is a seasoned expert in building and leveraging partnerships, fostering volunteerism, and promoting locally-led development to drive impactful solutions. He is adept at solving complex problems and fostering consensus in multicultural environments. He is committed to transparent leadership and achieving organizational vision through innovative and collaborative approaches. He has a proven track record in setting tactical direction, managing programs and budgets, and empowering diverse teams within international nonprofit organizations.   John is passionate about community development in Latin America and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in El Salvador. He brings significant experience as a country and regional director for international nonprofits including Save the Children, World Vision, and Project Concern International since 1996, as well as leading nonprofit organizations as President & CEO since 2012. He has held leadership positions on the Boards of numerous local nonprofits and associations in El Salvador and Central America, providing operational and strategic direction. He coordinated or co-coordinated multiple national and regional networks in Central America in health, water and sanitation, and agriculture/food security.   John received a BSc in Civil Engineering from MIT and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois / Urbana-Champaign. He is fluent in Spanish and has a working knowledge of French and Portuguese.

Dr. Juan Arratia is a research professor, mentor, and the founder and president of the Scientific Caribbean Foundation. He was a university professor in Chile for 15 years and in Puerto Rico for 35 years. Mr. Arratia is a Life Senior Member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) and was the chair of the Western Puerto Rico Section and of the IEEE Puerto Rico and Caribbean Council. His relationship with Partners of the Americas started with a grant in 2016 (UNICA-Puerto Rico Alliance). He mentored five students from Universidad Catolíca de Nicaragua in the research facilities of Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan and students from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. Mr. Arratia presented during Partners’ 2023 What Works Conference in Antigua Guatemala with the talk, “Saturday Research Academy in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics).” Mr. Arratia holds a BS in electrical engineering from Universidad Tecníca del Estado, Valdivia, Chile, an MS from Louisiana Tech University, and a PhD from Washington University. He speaks Spanish and English and has a reading knowledge of French and German.

Kevin Virgilio Morales Chamorro is the founder and CEO of MedETechNi, a medical technology company specializing in UVC radiation therapy integrated with AI and IoT for infection prevention and wound care. Kevin holds a Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery from Universidad Católica Redemptoris Mater and is pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Innovation and Development at Georgia Tech. His groundbreaking work has significantly reduced healthcare-associated infections and hospital costs, earning him numerous accolades, including the MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35 LATAM, the National Innovation Award from CONICYT Nicaragua, and the prestigious Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI) Fellowship.   Kevin’s passion for developing sustainable technologies and conducting scientific research is reflected in his extensive leadership experience. He has served as President of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society at IEEE and as a Research Mentor at the Scientific Caribbean Foundation Inc. Kevin’s entrepreneurial spirit and global recognition, combined with his commitment to improving healthcare outcomes, make him a valuable addition to the Partners of the Americas Board of Directors.

Ms. Lucia Helena de Araujo Lima has taken leadership roles as a secretary, vice president, and president (this is her second term as the Chapter president) of the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Chapter. She has participated in many Partners’ events, hosted visitors, and traveled to Indiana, the counterpart Chapter. Ms. De Araujo Lima is an entrepreneur and the Director of Helen’s Language Center. She was active in the Brazilian Association of Partners in the 1990s and has been honored by Partners for her service and participation for more than 30 years. Ms. De Araujo Lima holds a bachelor’s degree in social communication: advertising and public relations, and a master’s degree in the arts with multiple certifications in romance languages and English. She is on many boards of prominent service organizations, such as Soroptimists, Rotary, and the Academy of Women in Business.

Nicolás Arízaga (Nico) is a consultant, researcher, educator, and international development professional CEO of Political & Legal Translation Ltd. and Tech Policy Strategy, LLC. Nico is pursuing a dual master’s in public policy and international business, specializing in digital globalization at the University of Colorado Denver. He brings extensive experience in intercultural communication, fundraising, and policy analysis. His research at the University of Colorado Denver Center for Policy and Democracy focuses on technology policy, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, narrative policy framework, and public trust. At the same time, his work as a registered Spanish Court Interpreter for the Wyoming Supreme Court demonstrates his commitment to advancing language access, rights, justice, and political and cultural communication.   As International Board Director of Partners of the Americas (2025-2027), Nico leverages his academic background from the University of Wyoming (BA & MA in Political Science) and Universidad del Azuay (BA in International Studies) to strengthen hemispheric cooperation. His expertise in discourse analysis and political translation is recognized through his conference presentations for the American Translators Association (ATA) and his leadership roles in professional organizations. Nicolás’ dedication to fostering international understanding has earned him multiple distinctions, including the Partners of the Americas Emerging Leader and Life Changer Awards (2018) and a U.S. Department of State Youth Ambassador selection (2010).

Patricia Ferguson is a seasoned higher education professional with over 35 years of experience in public service. She specializes in supporting and empowering diverse and underserved communities through strategic planning, enrollment management, and policy development. Patricia holds a Master of Education in Adult Education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Pan American University. Her leadership and dedication have been recognized with awards such as the Alamo Colleges Leadership for Success and the NAFSA Academy for International Education.   Throughout her career, Patricia has excelled in various roles, including Coordinator of Recruitment-International Student Services at Alamo Colleges District and Outreach Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her innovative mindset and critical thinking skills have been instrumental in developing programs that promote multicultural values and create inclusive environments. Patricia’s bilingual communication skills and experience as a certified workshop presenter further enhance her ability to connect with and support diverse populations, making her an invaluable asset to the board.

Ms. Paula Sofia Villanueva is the president of Partners’ Peru Chapter and an industrial engineer, where she has worked in diverse fields, such as mining and the retail business. She is deeply passionate about joining Partners’ Board, a sentiment rooted in a transformative experience 15 years ago. As a participant of the Youth Leaders/Youth Ambassadors program, her first encounter with the United States, Ms. Sofia Villanueva discovered a renewed purpose: to help and serve others. As an active member of the Peru Chapter for several years, she has gained firsthand experience of Partners’ impact. Ms. Sofia Villanueva’s tenure as the Chapter’s president further solidified her dedication and provided her with immense leadership experience. She speaks fluent Spanish, English, German, and Italian.

Mr. Wayne Ferdinand Williams has been a member of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chapter in the Caribbean for 30 years. Since 1993, he has served as the Chapter’s chairman of the Youth and Sports Committee. From 1996 to 1998, Mr. Williams participated in the Partners Kellogg Fellowship in International Community Development Program (IX). He then completed coordinator training in Ecuador and became country coordinator and regional trainer and facilitator for the A Ganar program to empower youth through sports. Mr. Williams had the honor of implementing and managing the first A Ganar program in an English-speaking country and assisting in training the coordinators of several other countries. Mr. Williams also had the responsibility to raise local counterpart funding to realize the success of the program. Outside of Partners, Mr. Williams was the personnel manager at the Music Centre for almost 30 years. Since 1995, he has helped to source funds and fulfill basketball scholarships to eligible Caribbean players. Mr. Williams has also served as the president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Basketball Federation and represented the organization at several regional and international forums. Since 2009, Mr. Williams has acted as the vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Olympic and Commonwealth Games Committee (SVGOC), as well as serving as the chairman of the SVGOC Marketing Commission.