LEADERSHIP

 

Paco Guajardo / Executive Director

Paco has worked in international banking, as an academic, in his family business, as a refugee case manager, and most recently, in digital marketing. After years of university studies and working in the United States and Europe, he returned to Mexico. Since then, he actively promotes responsible tourism, human rights, and the development of young Mexican professionals. 

Bridge-building between cultures is something Paco has been doing for years. He is excited to be part of Human Connections' mission to increase empathy between cultures and strengthen communities through responsible travel experiences.

paco@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.

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

 

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

Sarah Cohn / Vice PresidentSarah 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 ye…

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

 
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/ Board Member & Content Marketing Strategist

Her 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 Monterrey. After graduating in 2008, she built a career in journalism working for some of the most recognized media publishers in her hometown of Mexico City: Televisa, Grupo Expansión, and Condé Nast.

As the traditional media landscape transformed, Gaby realized the growing responsibility for businesses and brands to shape culture as they too emerged as content generators and voices of social influence. She evolved her career into content marketing collaborating with global brands that seek to engage cross-cultural audiences. 

In 2019, she moved to Toronto where she enjoys providing social media and content marketing advice for small businesses and enterprises that promote Mexican culture appreciation among international audiences. For her, collaborating with Human Connections has been an exceptional opportunity to contribute her skills to an organization that activates the local economy and successfully expands understanding and empathy towards it.