Evaluating Jury

Strategic leader, communicator, and defender of social rights, originally from the Sumidouro Quilombo in Piauí, Brazil. He holds a degree in Business Administration, is a radio broadcaster, current president of the Quilombolas Sumidouro Association, and a member of the State Coordination of the Quilombola black movement of Piauí.

His work focuses on representing his community against the installation of energy megaprojects, demanding development that integrates fair mitigation and preserves the identity of future generations. His great history of resistance and negotiation skills led him to stand out as a protagonist of the panel "Land, Food, Identity, and Future" during the II International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20).

Family farmer and union leader with a deep connection to the land, born in a rural community in Jordânia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. He holds a degree in Rural Education from UFMG and is a technologist in Cooperative Management, currently serving as Vice President of International Relations of CONTAG and President of COPROFAM.

He began his organizational leadership journey at the age of 19 and has risen through various boards focused on family farming. His work focuses on strengthening the union movement, promoting public policies for rural workers, and consolidating international cooperation networks that drive sustainable agrarian development throughout the extended Mercosur.

Entrepreneur and expert with over 20 years of experience in rural youth development in Colombia and Panama. She is the founder and director of ASOJE, a social enterprise focused on strengthening capacities and managing resources for rural youth in partnership with organizations such as the European Union and IFAD.

Her work has focused on promoting leadership, community organization, and sustainable entrepreneurship through training processes and technical support. She has extensive experience in formulating organizational strategies and managing participatory processes, establishing herself as a leading voice for the creation of social change-generating projects in rural areas.

Technological inclusion specialist, co-founder, and Chief Strategy Officer of ALFI, a gamified financial education platform present throughout Latin America. She holds a degree in Business Management and Administration, with training in financial inclusion from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and Big Data from the Complutense University of Madrid.

In her role, she leads the development of new solutions and the company's strategic expansion, articulating technology and education in joint projects with financial institutions and regional development agencies. Her innovative approach aimed at democratizing access to financial education has been recognized with international distinctions such as Inclusive Fintech 50 and the OAS TIC Americas Award.

Agronomist, anthropologist, and Guatemalan entrepreneur, with an outstanding track record in sustainable agricultural innovation through technological crop management. He is the co-founder of Flor de tierra, a successful company that produces biological fertilizers under the Nature-Based Solutions approach, backed by entities such as IICA.

His work has focused on scaling technological solutions from the laboratory to the field, using mountain microorganisms to regenerate the soil and replace agrochemicals. Able to merge scientific knowledge with Mayan wisdom, he has a great business vision to develop economically scalable models, which led him to win the IFAD Rural Youth Innovation Award in its 2021 edition.

Agronomist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and current Youth Focal Point at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean. She has over seven years of professional experience promoting youth empowerment, rural development, and international cooperation initiatives in the region.

Her work aims to strengthen the strategic participation of youth in the transformation of agrifood systems and promote their role as key agents in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Development and International Cooperation, consolidating her technical and analytical approach to formulating inclusive public policies.

Outstanding specialist in Indigenous Peoples and Social Inclusion at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), where she supports the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility (IPAF). Throughout her professional career, she has consolidated herself as a key bridge between multilateral organizations and native communities.

Furthermore, she has solid experience in knowledge management on topics such as Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), biocultural diversity, and climate action of Indigenous Peoples. She also provides technical support in social inclusion to IFAD projects in Latin America and the Caribbean and contributes to the continuous dialogue with the Indigenous Peoples' Forum.

University Systems Analyst with a solid track record in the design and implementation of technological solutions for the productive and agricultural sector. He currently works in the Undersecretariat of Regional Economies and Small and Medium Producers, where he develops Information Systems for the statistics team and leads the creation of the ReNaF Geoportal, also acting as the Information Technology (ICT) Focal Point for REAF.

His professional work stands out for the coordination and production of platforms aimed at data capture, report management, and georeferencing of projects of national scope. Previously, at the National Institute of Peasant and Indigenous Family Farming (INAFCEI), his work was key to integrating information technology and complex data processing, optimizing the management and impact of rural development programs.

Family farmer based in Panama and current Regional Coordinator of the Rural Regional Dialogue Program (PDRR), from where she represents farmers' organizations from Central America and the Dominican Republic. With a solid academic background in Economics, Education, and Qualitative Research, she focuses her work on defending land restoration and drought resilience, building bridges between scientific rigor, community identity, and the implementation of public policies.

Through the PDRR, she leads institutional alliances and regional strategies to strengthen food systems and restore soils, paying special attention to the vulnerabilities of the Central American Dry Corridor. Her strategic vision connects large global action frameworks with local realities, promoting practical solutions that demonstrate the economic viability of investing in the resilience of rural communities.

An international development professional with more than 15 years of experience, specializing in Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D), digital transformation, and innovation. She currently serves as Regional ICT4D Analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia and a master’s degree in Strategic Project Management from ESDEN Business School.

Her professional focus is on connecting technology with development challenges, translating digital solutions—both emerging and established—into practical, inclusive, and scalable interventions. Throughout her career, she has led high-impact projects in Latin America and other regions, covering key strategic areas such as rural development and agriculture, financial inclusion, education, climate resilience, and biodiversity.