LEADERSHIP

 
 
 
 

Elly Rohrer / Board President & Founder

Though raised in Switzerland and upstate New York, Elly has always had a professional and personal interest in Latin America. Elly graduated from Tufts University with a double major in International Relations and Latin American Studies, and has substantial experience living, researching, and working with non-profits throughout Latin America. Elly began working with Investours in 2011 and served as Program Director for two years before founding Human Connections in June 2014. Life experiences since then include getting married, having a baby, and creating a responsible tourism-inspired property called Villa Tayrona - all while at the helm of an organization in which she believes passionately.

elly@humanconnections.org

Gaby Moreno/ Content Marketing StrategistHer biggest passion is applying the power of content and communications to inspire positive change. This passion led her to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications and Media by Tecnológico de Monterre…

Gaby Moreno / Executive Director

Gaby Moreno brings over a decade of experience leading international teams in media and marketing, with a career that spans mass media in Mexico, global brand strategy in consumer packaged goods, and LATAM expansion for e-commerce software. Originally from Mexico, with family roots in Nayarit, Gaby has been connected to Human Connections for years serving on the board of directors, offering strategic guidance, and championing the mission through her work in storytelling and social impact. In 2025, following a pivotal moment for the organization, she presented a renewed vision for Human Connections and was unanimously appointed Executive Director. Gaby now leads the organization into its next chapter with a focus on sustainable growth, operational clarity, and deeper partnerships, driven by her belief that purpose and strategy must go hand in hand.

Kevin Donnelly / Advisor

Kevin is a life-long educator and learner who has lived in various parts of Latin America as well as in Europe and Africa. After completing a Ph.D. in colonial studies from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at New York University, he worked as an academic at the University of Washington, and later headed world language departments at two different independent schools in the New York City area. In 2018, he moved to Mexico to help launch a technology company based in Guadalajara, and joined Human Connections in 2022. His deep regard for the people and cultures of Mexico and his belief in the power of ethical and empathic travel inspire his work every day.

kevin@humanconnections.org

Mariana was raised in Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California and holds a masters degree in Sustainable Economic Development and Responsible Management from the United Nations University in Costa Rica, and an undergraduate degree in International Studies and Latin American Studies from the University of San Francisco. She spent most of her career working in the public sector, specifically in Economic Development providing small business assistance and facilitating strategic development projects to improve local economies. Her passion for sustainable economic development has driven her to volunteer for a non-profit organization that empowers local communities while fostering conversations that shift perspective and increase understanding.

Mariana Garcia / Board Treasurer

Mariana was raised in Tijuana, Mexico and San Diego, California and holds a masters degree in Sustainable Economic Development and Responsible Management from the United Nations University in Costa Rica, and an undergraduate degree in International Studies and Latin American Studies from the University of San Francisco. She spent most of her career working in the public sector, specifically in Economic Development providing small business assistance and facilitating strategic development projects to improve local economies. Her passion for sustainable economic development has driven her to volunteer for a non-profit organization that empowers local communities while fostering conversations that shift perspective and increase understanding.

 
 
 
 

Sarah Cohn / Board Vice President

Sarah has over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, working in a range of roles from program management and strategic planning to revenue diversification and external communication management. She spent seven years at PODER, a Chicago-based immigrant integration center, as the Director of Development & Strategic Partnerships. Prior to PODER, Cohn held positions at Rotary International and Loyola University Chicago. Sarah holds a Master’s degree from the University of Chicago in Latin American Studies and a Bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago in Political Science. Currently, Sarah is self-employed as a kid wrangler, ensuring her two young boys don’t get in too much trouble. She is honored to help Human Connections leverage responsible tourism as a tool that can transform both local communities and international audiences.

sarah@humanconnections.org