Working towards a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive society!

Board of Directors

“Estamos convencidos que con pasos firmes y articulados podemos avanzar hacia nuestra Costa Rica soñada, construyendo puentes hacia la sostenibilidad, cerrando las brechas de desigualdad y generando prosperidad para nuestra generación y las siguientes.”

Gisela Sánchez Maroto
President of the Board of Directors

Gisela Sánchez Maroto

President

Gisela is the President of the Board of Directors. She is an industrial engineer and has an MBA from Northwestern University.

Jessica García Hernández

Vice-president

Jessica is the Vice-President of the Board of Directors. She has a degree in Architecture from the Autonomous University of Central America and a Masters in Sustainable Architecture and Environmental Control Tools from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Spain.     

James B.
French

Treasurer

James is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors and coordinates the Investments Committee. He has a BA and Master’s in Economy and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri.

José Zaglul
Slon

Secretary

José is the Secretary of the Board of Directors. He has a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Florida and has two Master’s in Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Animal Science. He has honorary degrees from Chatham University, Cal Poly, The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), and the National University of Life Sciences and Environment in Ukraine.

Manfred Kopper Castro

Auditor

Manfred is the Auditor in the Board of Directors. He has a Master’s in Business Administration from INCAE Business School. He is an agronomic engineer and has a degree from the EARTH University of Agricultural Science.

Team

“By leading CRUSA Foundation, my dream of contributing to the development of the country with my international experience and knowledge came true. I share the foundation’s values and I am motivated by its purpose of productive transformation and people’s welfare. I believe in human potential, their entrepreneurial and innovative capabilities, and their commitment to inclusion and to the preservation of our planet”.

Flora Montealegre Guillén
Executive Director

Flora Montealegre Guillén

Executive Director

Flora is the Executive Director. She has an MBA from the University of Maryland, a MA in Latin-American Studies and Economic Development from Georgetown University and a BA in Political Science from Swarthmore College. She has postgraduate studies in Economics and Political Science, Technology, and Innovation from Harvard University, as well as a long career in international banking and experience in economic development projects. 

[email protected]

Norma Díaz
Masís

Administrative - Financial Director

Norma is the Administrative - Financial Director. She has a degree in Business Administration with specialization in Banking and Finance from the Latin University of Costa Rica, and in International Markets from the University of
Costa Rica.

[email protected]

Adriana Barrantes Leiva

Relations and Institutional Affairs Officer

Adriana is the Assistant to the Executive Director. She has a degree in Business Administration and English Education from the Latina University.

[email protected]

Gabriela López Salazar

Programs and Projects Senior Officer

Gabriela is the Programs and Projects Senior Officer. She oversees the entrepreneurship, productive development, and innovation projects portfolio. She has a degree in Economy from the University of Costa Rica and has a Master’s in Development from the University of Amsterdam. [email protected]

Byron Salas
Conejo

Programs and Projects Senior Officer

Byron is the Projects and Social Innovation Officer. He oversees the human talent projects portfolio. He has a degree from the Copenhagen Institute of Interaction Design (CIID) and in Political Science from the University of Costa Rica. He has master studies in Crypto-Gaming and Blockchain Economy for videogames. 

[email protected]

Rosina Campos Torres

Climate Action Programs & Projects Officer

Rosina is the Program and Project Officer in Decarbonization. She is an Environmental Engineer graduated from the Costa Rica Institute of Technology and has a master's degree in Management from INCAE Business School.

[email protected]

David Hernández Sandoval

Program and Project in Technology Innovation Officer

David is the Program and Project Officer in Technology Innovation. He was trained in project management, with a focus on social impact. He has a master’s degree in International Cooperation and Development from National University, a postgraduate degree in Project Management from International Iberoamerican University of Mexico, and a Master's degree in International Trade and Markets from Lead University. He is specialized in management, administration, and implementation of private, public, and international investment projects in the region.

[email protected]

Mariana Cortés Montoro

Programs, Projects, and Scholarships Administrative Officer

Mariana is the Programs, Projects, and Scholarships Administrative Officer. She has a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Human Resources and has studies in Project Management and Control.

[email protected]

Jason Garita Vargas

Strategic Communications Officer

Jason is a journalist with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing Communication. He has experience in corporate communications, reputation and digital communications.

[email protected]

Katherine Siles Madrigal

Financial Administrative Officer

Katherine is the Financial Administrative Officer. She has a Master’s in Business Administration with specialization in Banking and Finance from the San Marcos University.

[email protected]

Assembly

Bernardo Van Der Laat Llinás

Bernardo is a member of the Founders Assembly. He has a specialization in public notary from Universidad Interamericana and is a lawyer.

Brian F. Kelly

Brian is a member of the Founders Assembly. He has an International Master’s in Business Administration and a MA in International Relations.

Carmen Mayela Fallas Carranza

Carmen is a member of the Founders Assembly. She has a degree in Communication with specialization in Public Relations from the University of Costa Rica.

Charles R. Higgenbotham

Charles is a member of the Founders Assembly. He holds an MPS in Global Development: International Agriculture and Rural Development from Cornell University.

Ellen S. Rose

Ellen is a member of the Founders Assembly. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in Communication and Media Policy and a Master’s degree in Communication, both from Columbia University and is a candidate for a Doctorate in Education.

Enrique Uribe

Enrique is a member of the Founders Assembly. He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of California-Irvine, and a Master’s in Sustainable Development from the University
for Peace in Costa Rica.

Lloyd C. Day

Lloyd is a member of the Founders Assembly. He holds an MA and BA in International Affairs and Relations.

Martí Jiménez Figueres

Martí is a member of the Founders Assembly. He is an industrial engineer from the University of Costa Rica and has an MBA from Harvard University.

Roberto Dormond Cantú

Roberto is a member of the Founders Assembly. He holds a master's degree from Georgetown University and a law degree.

Stephen Petricone

Stephen is a member of the Founders Assembly. He holds a BA from Yale and a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University.

Investments Committee

James B.
French

Coordinator of the Investments Committee

James is the coordinator of the Investments Committee and has served on the Management Board since 2019. He holds a degree and MS in Economics and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Missouri. He has over 30 years of experience in topics such as economic analysis and financial investments.

José Luis Arce Durán

Member of the Investments Committee

José Luis has been a member of the Investments Committee since 2021. He holds an MA in Economics from the Latin American Institute of Doctrine and Social Studies of Georgetown University and the University of Costa Rica. He was president and director of the National Council of Supervision of the Financial System (CONASSIF). In addition, he was Director of the Office and Economic Advisor of the Ministry of Treasury of Costa Rica.

Rodrigo Bolaños Zamora

Member of the Investments Committee

Rodrigo has been a member of the Investments Committee since 2021. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Chicago. He has been president, director, and manager of the Central Bank of Costa Rica.

Antonio Pérez Mora

Member of the Investments Committee

Antonio has been a member of the Investments Committee since 2020. He holds a Master's in Business Administration with specialization in Banking and Finance from the University of Costa Rica. He is the General Manager of the Investment Funds Company of “Grupo Financiero del Mercado de Valores de Costa Rica S.A”.

Adrián Elizondo

Member of the Investments Committee

Adrián integra el Comité de Inversiones desde 2023. Posee una MA en Administración de Empresas del INCAE, Montefresco y una MA en Economía de la Universitat Pompeu, Barcelona. Es el Director Regional de Riesgo de Crédito en BAC Credomatic.

Rodolfo Herrera Henriquéz

Member of the Investments Committee

Rodolfo integra el Comité de Inversiones desde el 2023. Posee una MA en Administración de Empresas del INCAE, graduado con altos honores. Es el Director de Banca de Empresas y Tesorería del Banco DAVIVIENDA.