Projects in Motion
Meet the project authors whose initiatives have deployed across education, civic innovation, environmental stewardship, and social enterprise.
Projects & Their Authors
Claudia Concepcion
Panama Natural Product InnovationClaudia Concepcion is originally from Panama City, Panama. She first joined the ecosystem as an emerging leader in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University, where she participated in the Startup Las Americas track. She returned for the Futuro MMXXV cohort as a legacy architect. Claudia studied in Puebla, Mexico, and is now building an eco-friendly cosmetics and wellbeing company based in Panama City — a venture rooted in natural, environmentally conscious products designed to promote health and self-care across the region.
Diego Hernandez
Panama Music Las AmericasDiego Hernandez is originally from Panama City, Panama. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Music Las Americas track. Diego is a musician with a deep interest in engineering, and during the program he collaborated with fellow alumni Pavel Osorio on music projects exploring how artistic expression can drive community connection and cultural dialogue across the Americas.
Thant Htet Oo
Myanmar Cultural & Environmental DocumentaryThant Htet Oo is originally from Myanmar and currently studies film at the University of New Mexico. He came to the United States on a student visa as his family sought safety from the ongoing civil conflict in Myanmar. Thant is a changemaker within the ecosystem and participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University. He joined after serving as Director of Photography on a Mítikah Co. film production documenting the life of mentor Ernesto Nieto. Thant is building his own production company focused on cultural and environmental documentary filmmaking. He has already collaborated with EarthJustice on a documentary project, and his long-term vision is to produce a body of work that reveals the true cultural depth and environmental reality of societies around the world. He is an exceptional filmmaker whose craft and conviction far exceed his years.
Felipe Eleta
Panama Startup Las AmericasFelipe Eleta from Panama is a standout alum of our programs, having participated in the Startup Las Americas track. A graduate of Florida State University, Felipe earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Management. His academic background and entrepreneurial spirit have been instrumental in his success. Felipe remains actively involved, leveraging his skills and experience to mentor emerging leaders and contribute to impactful projects across the Americas.
Maria Sofia
Panama Hemispheric Medical CollaborationMaria Sofia is originally from Panama City, Panama. She participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Science & Engineering Las Americas track. Her project focused on medicine and hemispheric collaboration — exploring how medical knowledge and practice could be shared more effectively across the Americas. Maria Sofia has since pursued her medical career and is now a practicing physician in Panama City.
Pierina Diana
Panama Startup Las AmericasPierina Diana, hailing from Venezuela, is a shining example of the transformative power of our programs. Nominated to participate in the Startup Las Americas track at Georgetown University in Washington DC, Pierina has distinguished herself as a visionary leader and innovator. With a passion for social entrepreneurship and a commitment to driving meaningful change, Pierina has leveraged her experience at Futuro Las Americas to develop impactful projects that address pressing challenges in her home country and beyond. She remains actively engaged, contributing to our mission and inspiring future generations of leaders and innovators.
Nicolas Ugalde Ortiz
Mexico Sports for Community UnityNicolás Ugalde Ortiz is originally from Mexico with dual U.S.-Mexican nationality. He is the brother of fellow alumnus Jose Pablo Ugalde Ortiz. Nicolás participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as a changemaker. His project focuses on using sports as a vehicle for community unity — building programs that leverage athletics to connect and strengthen communities across Mexico and the broader Americas.
Sebastian Gonzalez
Panama Music Las AmericasSebastian Gonzalez is originally from Panama City, Panama. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Music Las Americas track. Sebastian collaborated closely with fellow alumni Diego Hernandez and Pavel Osorio on projects exploring how music can serve as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy and hemispheric connection. His work reflects a vision of the arts as a bridge between communities across the Americas.
Javier Lezcano
Panama Startup Las AmericasJavier Lezcano from Panama embodies the innovative spirit fostered our program. As a participant in the Startup Las Americas track, Javier demonstrated exceptional leadership and entrepreneurial skills. His experience in the program has equipped him with the tools to drive impactful projects and address pressing challenges in his community. Javier continues to engage with us contributing to our mission and inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Samuel Rios
Panama Food Technology & PreservationSamuel Ulisses Rios Barrias is originally from Panama City, Panama. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. Samuel is pursuing a Licenciatura en Gastronomía at Universidad de Panamá, driven by a vision of opening his own restaurant after gaining experience across the industry. His project explored the intersection of food, culture, and technology — developing approaches to food preservation that address extreme conditions including aviation and remote environments. Samuel represents the conviction that culinary innovation is a vehicle for cultural diplomacy and practical problem-solving across the Americas.
Nicolas Cisneros Palma
Mexico Philosophy & Education ReformNicolás Cisneros Palma is originally from Mexico and is part of the IDE program in Mexico City. He participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as a changemaker. His project explores the intersection of philosophy and education — envisioning how philosophical inquiry can serve as a foundation for uniting the peoples and institutions of the Americas around shared intellectual and civic purpose.
Ricardo Adames
Panama Environmental SustainabilityRicardo Adames is originally from Panama City, Panama. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Startup Las Americas track. Ricardo is an accomplished baseball player and his project focused on environmental sustainability — developing recycling and waste reduction initiatives for communities across Panama. He continues to channel his competitive discipline and civic commitment into building impactful ventures.
Nestor Gaytan
Mexico Holographic ConnectivityNéstor Abraham Gaytán Villanueva is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader and has since grown into a changemaker within the ecosystem. During his time in Washington, D.C., Nestor developed "Holographic Connectivity" — a project envisioning how holographic technology could bridge societies across the Americas. He interviewed OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro and conducted research at the Library of Congress. A student of Innovation and Development Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Nestor co-founded The Bold News and conducted research on constitutional courts and populism in Latin America. He has collaborated extensively with Futuro in Mexico City and served on the alumni board. Nestor is currently a Profesionista en Desarrollo at CEMEX México — selected through the company's elite "Red de Talento" pipeline, which identifies future leadership from among hundreds of candidates.
Pavel Osorio
Panama Music Las AmericasPavel Osorio, originally from Panama, exemplifies the artistic excellence fostered by our programs. Nominated to participate in the Music Las Americas track at Georgetown University in Washington DC, Pavel is a passionate and talented musician with aspirations of becoming a world-renowned artist. His unique musical style aims to inspire and uplift others through the universal language of music. Pavel remains an active participant continuously contributing to our mission and embodying the transformative power of our programs.
Luis Lopez Garcia
Mexico Futuro Executive DirectorLuis Ignacio López Garcia is a transactional attorney at Jones Day — among the most prestigious law firms in the world, with over 2,500 attorneys across more than 40 offices on five continents. Based in the firm's Mexico City office, he structures and advises on cross-border M&A transactions, infrastructure deals, and complex commercial and finance agreements for multinational clients operating across jurisdictions, in both English and Spanish. His practice extends into anti-corruption and anti-bribery investigations, regulatory compliance, and administrative law — the kind of institutional-grade legal architecture that underpins hemispheric commerce. Before Jones Day, Luis sharpened his corporate and antitrust practice at Hogan Lovells, another globally ranked firm, and at Aziz & Kaye Business Law. He holds a law degree from Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City, one of the country's most respected private institutions. Luis first entered the ecosystem as a Futuro project author. That he now serves as Executive Director of the organization — while simultaneously practicing at the highest tier of international corporate law — is not incidental. It is the proof of concept: the generational pipeline that Futuro was built to produce.
Gerdyn Jose Mojica
United States of America Dominican Heritage & CultureGerdyn Jose Mojica — known as G — is originally from Camden, New Jersey, with roots in the Dominican Republic. He is a legacy architect within the ecosystem and participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University. G is the founder of Theo G’s Latin Kitchen in Baltimore, Maryland — a restaurant and cultural venture that channels his heritage into a living expression of Dominican and Latin American cuisine, community, and identity.
Diego Gracia
Mexico Eco-Friendly FashionDiego Gracia is originally from Monterrey, Mexico. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Science & Engineering Las Americas track. His project focused on eco-friendly fashion — exploring the use of sustainable, environmentally responsible materials in clothing design and production. Diego continues to pursue innovation at the intersection of design, sustainability, and industry.
Diego Gordon
Panama Hologram DiplomacyDiego Gordon is originally from Panama City, Panama. He participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Science & Engineering Las Americas track. Diego went on to study Management Information Systems and Finance at Florida State University. His project explored the application of hologram technology for communication and diplomacy — envisioning a future where immersive visual technology could transform how nations and institutions engage across borders.
Alejandra Lopez Portillo
Mexico Institutional VenturesAlejandra Lopez Portillo is originally from Sinaloa, Mexico. She studied at Universidad Panamericana in Mexico City and joined the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. Through the program, Alejandra has engaged with a hemispheric community of project authors committed to building institutions and ventures that address the challenges facing the Americas.
Santiago Ramirez Anguiano
Mexico AI-Powered Lake RemediationSantiago Ramírez Anguiano — known as Sante — is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, and attends Liceo Franco Mexicano. He participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. At just sixteen years old, Sante is already one of the most technically advanced alumni in the ecosystem. His flagship project, Edify, is an AI-powered companion app that personalizes education based on each student’s interests and learning level. He also leads a robotics and drone initiative to clean contaminated lakes using AI — a project developed in collaboration with fellow alumnus Luis Gerardo Cardenas Reyes. Sante has a minimum of six active projects and a deep command of AI systems that belies his age.
Mariana Vlieg
Panama Theater & Startup Las AmericasMariana Vlieg, from Panama, is a distinguished alumna of our Startup Las Americas and Theater Las Americas tracks. Serving as Vice Chair of our Board of Advisors from 2019 to 2020 and leading the Futuro Las Americas Scholars program in 2019, Mariana has consistently showcased her leadership and talent. A graduate of Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Entrepreneurship, she is a visionary entrepreneur in the arts. Mariana has leveraged her entrepreneurial skills to excel as a performing artist, production specialist, and ballet dancer and choreographer. She has collaborated with esteemed organizations such as ENLACES, Fundación Espacio Creativo, Kaatsbaan Cultural Park, Academia de Danzas Steps, and Too Much Productions in Panama City, Panama, and New York City.
Mateo Porras Bermúdez
Colombia Diplomacy & International AffairsMateo Porras Bermúdez is originally from Colombia and attended Colegio Alcaparros. He participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. His project centers on diplomacy and international affairs — working to build bridges between Latin American nations through institutional collaboration and hemispheric dialogue.
Maria Alexandra Sheppard
Panama Neurolinguistics for Social CohesionMaria Alexandra Sheppard is originally from Panama City, Panama. She entered the ecosystem as an emerging leader in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University through the Startup Las Americas track, and has since risen to changemaker. She served as Chair of the Board of Advisors from 2019 to 2020 and was named a Mary E. Galvin Science and Engineering Scholar at the University of Notre Dame, where she studied Neuroscience and Behavior. Maria Alexandra is currently pursuing graduate studies at the University of Chicago. Her project explores neurolinguistics as a vehicle for developing initiatives that foster cohesion, unity, and advancement across the Americas.
Luis Gerardo Cardenas Reyes
Mexico Education ReformLuis Gerardo Cardenas Reyes — known as Jerry — is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, and is part of the IDE program. He studied at Universidad Panamericana and participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as a changemaker. Jerry leads two ambitious projects: the first uses robotics, AI, and drone technology to clean contaminated lakes across Latin America, addressing pollution and environmental degradation at scale. His second project focuses on education reform, developed in collaboration with fellow alumna Stephanie Segura León.
Santiago Chapa De Vecchi
Mexico Technology & EntrepreneurshipSantiago Chapa De Vecchi — known as Santi — is originally from Querétaro, Mexico, and attends Colegio Suizo de Querétaro. He participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. Despite his young age, Santi is one of the most prolific project authors in his cohort, with multiple ventures spanning technology, entrepreneurship, and community development.
Stephanie Segura León
Mexico Education System UnificationStephanie Segura León — known as Steffi — is originally from Querétaro, Mexico, and attends Colegio Suizo de Querétaro. She participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. Steffi’s project addresses the fragmentation of Mexico’s education system — she is building an app and program designed to unify siloed school systems, beginning with the state of Querétaro, by creating new channels for coordination, access, and opportunity across institutions. She also collaborates with fellow alumnus Luis Gerardo Cardenas Reyes on education initiatives.
Héctor H. López
United StatesHector is an international relations strategist, cultural diplomat, and institution builder operating across the Americas. He is the founder of BeNeXT Global and the narrative source of a hemispheric ecosystem that includes Futuro, NeXT, Mítikah, and Medikah—institutions built on authorship, legacy, and continuity.
Mark Franklin
United States of America Cultural Music MarketingMark Franklin is originally from Washington, D.C. He is a legacy architect within the ecosystem and participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University. Mark operates at the intersection of creative marketing, music, and social impact — building advertising and brand narratives that are culturally grounded and purpose-driven. His project focuses on using his deep understanding of music and cultural storytelling to create marketing that moves beyond commerce toward meaningful community engagement.
Alistair Coll
Mexico Startup Las AmericasAlistair Pablo Coll Corona operates at the intersection of global management consulting and hemispheric institutional leadership. He serves as a Consultant at Efficio — Europe’s largest procurement consultancy, headquartered in London — working from the firm’s Mexico City office, where he advises multinational clients on procurement strategy, operational optimization, and supply chain transformation across industries. Before Efficio, Alistair spent over two years at Nextia, one of Mexico’s leading digital transformation firms, where he managed complex app and web development initiatives across the digital health, insurance, and government sectors, and led ISO 9001 and CMMI Level 3 certification processes — quality frameworks that few professionals his age have directed. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and Innovation from Universidad Panamericana and additional credentials from IPADE — Mexico’s most prestigious business school — in business management, alongside Scrum and ISO certifications. He is trilingual in English, Spanish, and French. Within the ecosystem, Alistair is among the most consequential alumni in the organization’s history. He first entered as a project author through the Startup Las Americas track and rose through every level of institutional responsibility — serving two terms as Chair of the Board of Advisors (2020–2021, 2024–2025) and as LATAM Strategic Liaison, building partnerships with NGOs, governments, and academic institutions across the hemisphere. He now serves as Executive Director of BeNeXT Global, overseeing the operational architecture of the institution and its programming across the Americas. That Alistair now leads both a practice at a London-headquartered global consultancy and a hemispheric leadership institution — simultaneously, from Mexico City — is not a contradiction. It is the design working as intended.
Jose Pablo Ugalde Ortiz
Mexico AI-Driven Medical DiagnosticsJose Pablo Ugalde Ortiz is originally from Mexico City, Mexico, where he is affiliated with the IDE program. He studied at Universidad Panamericana and participated in the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. His project is at the frontier of medicine and artificial intelligence — developing AI-driven statistical and laboratory methodologies aimed at advancing cancer research and treatment.
Grace Porosky
United States of America Cultural Media Content LibraryGrace Porosky is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She joined the Futuro MMXXV cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader after working as head of audio on a Mítikah Co. film production crew at the University of New Mexico, where the team documented the story of mentor and civil rights leader Ernesto Nieto. Her project centers on building a cultural media content library — a curated archive of video and multimedia that showcases the cultural richness and diversity of New Mexico and the broader Americas.
Priscila Putzulu
United States of America Renewable Energy in the CaribbeanPriscila Putzulu is originally from Argentina and grew up in New York City. She is a legacy architect within the ecosystem and a 2025 graduate of Georgetown University. Priscila joined the Futuro MMXXV cohort after connecting with the founder at Georgetown’s commencement ceremony. Her project focuses on renewable energy in the Caribbean — developing solutions to bring sustainable, clean energy infrastructure to island nations and coastal communities across the region.
Laura Miller
Colombia Psychology & Virtual WellbeingLaura Miller is originally from Barranquilla, Colombia. She participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader. Laura is a psychologist in formation at Universidad del Norte, with additional studies at Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Her work spans educational, clinical, and community psychology — with a particular focus on emotional wellbeing, mental health promotion, and designing interventions that generate social impact. Her project explored the intersection of psychology and virtuality, envisioning how digital environments can serve as vehicles for therapeutic and community-building initiatives across the Americas.
Maria Inoa
Dominican RepublicMaría Alexandra Inoa is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She participated in the Futuro MMXIX cohort at Georgetown University as an emerging leader through the Startup Las Americas track. Her project explored fashion sustainability — examining how eco-friendly materials and conscious design practices could reshape the fashion industry across the Americas. After Futuro, María Alexandra pursued formal training in fashion and communication, earning a Diploma in Fashion Styling & Communication from the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Madrid, where she also collaborated with Angel Schlesser during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and worked as a booker's assistant at Maroe Management. She later completed a Master's in Digital Marketing at CEI: Centro de Estudios de Innovación in Madrid. María Alexandra is currently based in Santo Domingo, where she serves as Brand and Marketing Manager at Carolina Sanz, overseeing brand image, social media, and marketing strategy.
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