Njeri ‘Jeri’ Clement Researcher focused on African diaspora, gender policy, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Njeri Clement is the director of cultural fluency, equity, and inclusion at St. Cloud Technical and Community College (SCTCC). She is an adjunct faculty member at St Cloud State University (SCSU) in the Department of gender and women studies. She is also a Humphrey public policy fellow and a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders program in Minnesota. Njeri holds a bachelor’s in gender and women studies and a master’s in social responsibility from St. Cloud State University, a master’s in public and nonprofit administration from Metropolitan State University and is currently completing her doctorate in leadership studies from Johnson University. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Njeri’ s focus is on African diaspora, gender policy, leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has a strong interest in these areas and has developed expertise in designing and conducting qualitative research, fieldwork, gender policy advice, workshop facilitation, and teaching with the goal of promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of society. In her current role as a director, she leads programming, community building, and strategic planning and shapes policy around equity and inclusion processes. Njeri continues to utilize her skills to manage innovative programs that serve marginalized groups, especially women, by serving in several local nonprofit boards both in Kenya and the U.S.

Jose Francisco Pacheco Economist ​ My professional career encompasses experience in three areas, namely, public, private, and academic. Between May 2014 and May 2017, I served as the Deputy Minister of Finance for the Government of Costa Rica, responsible for public expenditure and the Financial Management System. Prior to that, I worked as a civil servant at the Ministry of Finance (2001-2003), and currently, I am a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (2018-2023). In the private sector, I have worked as a consultant for over 16 years in 40 countries around the world, including Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. My areas of expertise include social protection and security, health economics, public management, labor markets, climate change, and poverty. I have worked on topics such as financing and fiscal space creation, efficiency analysis of expenditure, costing, strategic planning, and monitoring and evaluation. Lastly, in the academic field, my experience spans nearly 20 years as the Director of the Master's Program in Economic Development and Deputy Director of the School of Economics at the National University. I have also worked as a lecturer and thesis advisor.

María Inés Velez Psychologist María Inés Vélez is a highly accomplished bilingual psychologist and criminal science investigator. With a strong academic background and extensive experience in various fields, she specializes in the psychology of consumer behavior, directing and conducting studies and research across LATAM (Latin America). With over 10 years of professional experience, María Inés has worked in diverse sectors, including market research, pharmaceuticals, social sciences, and the rapidly evolving technology and alternative markets of the modern era. Currently based in Colombia, María Inés maintains partnerships throughout LATAM, providing her with a unique opportunity to easily develop and expand her studies. She has established a solid reputation, working with prestigious clients such as the Government of Colombia, Fundak, Grupo Corona, and the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros. Beyond her professional accomplishments, María Inés possesses a vibrant personality and diverse interests. In her free time, she indulges in her passion for travel, embracing new cultures and experiences. She finds joy in reading and writing, while also finding solace and inspiration in music. Furthermore, she enjoys dancing around her house, finding a balance between work and play.