PNYX Ltd. - Action on Disaster Relief III

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Overview

Agenda

Speakers

Conference Chair

Andria Grosvenor
Planning & Business Development Manager
Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA)

Andria Grosvenor has been working in the field of disaster management for twenty years. Currently working with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Ms. Grosvenor has been appointed to manage the business side of the Agency’s programming –with a focus on strategic planning, resource mobilization and monitoring & evaluation. Ms. Grosvenor’s portfolio over the years has been diverse, working in the functional areas of disaster preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery; managing projects, guiding the development of the Agency’s disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation products, overseeing country support activities in the 18 CDEMA Participating States and coordinating the regional response during times of emergency, in the context of the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM). Ms. Grosvenor has been involved in several emergency events in the Caribbean region dating back to 1995, including on the ground deployments involving both strategic and operational engagements; the most notable of which are Hurricanes Luis and Marilyn (1995), Montserrat Volcanic Emergency, Hurricane Georges (1998), Hurricane Lenny (1999), Hurricane Ivan (2004), Hurricane Dean (2007), Hurricane Ike (2008), Haiti Earthquake (2010), Hurricane Tomas (2010) and Hurricane Irene (2011).

Keynote Speakers

Amb. Alejandro C. Daneri
President
White Helmets Commission; Argentina

Ambassador Alejandro Daneri is a career diplomat. He holds a degree in law from the University of Buenos Aires. In March 2016, he was appointed President of the White Helmets Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Argentina. This Commission is the agency in charge of designing and implementing international humanitarian assistance. He is also the Focal Point for refugees within the scope of the Ministry. Until his appointment as President of the White Helmets Commission, he served in Latin American and Caribbean Affairs at the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Amb. Daneri has also served as the Head of Protocol of the Argentine President, and previously the Private Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He served at the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations in New York (Committee on Social and Humanitarian Affairs) and joined the staff of the 43rd. United Nations General Assembly President’s Cabinet. He began his diplomatic career at the Cabinet of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Roy Barboza Sequeira
Executive Secretary
Coordination Center for the Prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC)

Mr. Roy Barboza Sequeira is a Civil Engineer, with specialization in environmental engineering. His work experience exceeds 25 years of activities in the fields of environmental engineering, sanitation, comprehensive risk to disaster management, teaching and formulation of environmental, economic and health-related projects. He has worked with national and international institutions, as executive officer of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE by its acronym in Spanish) in environmental topics, as Vice Minister of Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica, and has served in other important posts within the Central American Integration System (SICA, by its acronym in Spanish).

He currently holds the position of Executive Secretary of the Coordination Center for the prevention of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC) since January 1st of 2014. His former position in public administration are: Vice Minister of Housing and Human Settlements within the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements of Costa Rica 2010-2013; Executive Secretary of the Regional Water Resources Committee (CRRH) until 2010.

Justo "Tito" Hernandez
Operational Coordination Division, Director
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) DHS

Justo “Tito” Hernández is currently the Director of the Operational Coordination Division in the Field Operations Directorate with a dual role as Deputy Federal Coordinating Office (FCO) in Puerto Rico response to Hurricane Maria. Mr. Hernandez is the senior member of the Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) cadre of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Hernández joined the cadre in 1999. In 2014, Mr. Hernandez became a member of the Senior Executive Service and accepted the Team Leader position for the third National Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) which responds to large scale natural or man-made events, including CBRNE events. Prior to accepting the official Team Leader position, Mr. Hernandez was detailed to the National IMAT and mentored three teams through Incident Management training and numerous high profile disaster responses. Mr. Hernandez has been deployed to over 205 events throughout his career, making him one of the most experienced Coordinators in the nation.

With over 200 deployments in his career, Mr. Hernández is the most senior FCO in the cadre; he has served in disaster and emergency operations throughout the nation, including many large-scale events. He has engaged lead roles as FCO, Deputy FCO, and other key positions in numerous disaster operations, including the 9/11 World Trade Center response, the NASA Shuttle Discovery disaster, Typhoon Pongsona in Guam, the 2003 Northeast Blackout, and natural disasters in many states. He is currently and has in the past also served as the FCO is his native Puerto Rico following widespread flooding on the island. Recently he has been designated to lead as Coordinator for Non-Stafford Act declarations such as the Unaccompanied Children operation in 2014, an Economy Act declaration as well as leading his team in Atlanta, assisting the Centers for Disease Control in their fight with Ebola.

Speakers

Prof. Jamal Saghir
Advisory Board Member
GRV Global

Jamal Saghir is Professor of Practice at the Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University, Montreal, Canada; and Senior Associate at the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS), Washington, D.C. He is also Special Advisor to the Executive Committee of Bollore Transport and Logistics, member of the Advisory Board of MAN S.A.L., Melec Power Gen Inc., and GRV Global Ltd.

From 2010 to 2016, Mr. Saghir was Director for Sustainable Development and Senior Regional Advisor at the World Bank, where he held directorship in Energy and Power, Water, Transport, Environment, Agriculture and Rural development, Infrastructure and Sustainable Development. He managed one of the largest World Bank Group departments with over 400 staff, an equal number of consultants, and was responsible for a portfolio of close to 300 projects worth around US$25 billion. From, 2000 to 2010, Mr. Saghir was Director and Chair of the World Bank Group’s Boards for Energy, Water and Transport, leading Bank activities, guiding its lending strategy and implementation in member countries. From 1990 to 2000, Mr. Saghir served in senior management and leadership roles in a variety of energy, private sector development, restructuring operations in Africa, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Prior to joining the World Bank, Mr. Saghir served as Resident Advisor to the Prime Ministry in Tunisia and Country Director for Scientex Corporation, Center for Privatization (1988-1990), and from 1985-1988, he held the positions of Economic Adviser and Chief of Staff to the Associate Minister of Finance and Privatization in Quebec (Canada). From 1982 to 1985, he served as Economist at the National Assembly of Quebec.

Bo Martin Tell (Panel Chair)
Managing Director
Recotech

Bo Martin Tell (Sweden) is the owner and managing director of Recotech, a company that produces equipment for rough environments and has grown out of the aero engine industry. Supporting humanitarian and crisis relief efforts, Recotech offers Wing Lift™, a patented and cost-effective Container Carrier handling system for lifting and moving containers short distances.

Wing Lift™ offers enormous benefits in the Humanitarian Aid field, both at procurement hubs and relief sites. Bo, whose background is in marketing and accounting, focuses on meeting with aid organizations and visiting support sites. To date, he has visited AIDEX in Brussels, the UN in Rome, Brindisi, Entebbe and Nairobi- including the Kakuma refugee camp. Being on-site offers invaluable access to live processes and contact with camp managers and technical experts. It also provides them a first-hand experience of Wing Lift™ capabilities.

Richard Barathe
Director Regional Hub
UN Development Programme (UNDP)

Mr. Barathe is the Director of the Regional Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). He has 20 years of progressive experience in development both within the programme and technical advisory functions as well as senior management of UNDP in several regional and country contexts (Chief of the Country and Regional Programme Team/RBLAC; UNDP Country Director in Guatemala; UNDP Deputy Resident Representative for El Salvador & Belize; Senior Partnerships Adviser for the Regional Bureau for Africa in NY, among others). Mr. Barathe has more than 16 years of experience at the country level in 7 different countries. Mr. Barathe holds a DESS (Master 2) of International Studies from the Université de Paris 11 (Paris-Sud).

Dr. Roberto Brito
Regional Director for Latin America & the Caribbean
American Red Cross

Roberto Brito, has dedicated over 30 years of his life to to the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement and 17 years to the American Red Cross International Services Department (ISD). At a very young age, Roberto joined the Costa Rican Red Cross as a youth volunteer and went on to hold positions at the highest levels of the national society, including: General Manager, National Board Member, Regional President, Branch President, Relief Director, National Chief of Volunteers and Emergency Medical Services Supervisor. Roberto was already involved with the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement by the time he attended the Autonomous University of Central America (UACA in Spanish) in Costa Rica where he completed his studies in Medicine and Business Administration at National University of Costa Rica.

Roberto Brito’s experience within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Network includes: support and leadership of humanitarian responses in situations of armed conflict and natural disasters such as the floods in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and the 2007 earthquake in Peru, Chile 2010, Haiti 2010 and Ecuador Earthquake in 2016; He led the successful implementation of an Integrated Program (Health/DRR) in Colombia, Panama and Ecuador and the implementation of the Resilience in the Americas (RITA) Project (2012-2017); Roberto also led teams and programs that designed key messages and behavior change communication strategies for public health campaigns for tuberculosis control (US/Mexico border), child health (PAHO-led Integrated Management of Childhood Illness [IMCI] strategy) and Disaster Risk Reduction and Response. Nowadays, Roberto is based in Panama as the Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean bringing over 30 years of Red Cross experience in disaster response, disaster preparedness and risk reduction, Community-based Health & First Aid, project management, and partner coordination to the role.

Haris Sanahuja
Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist
World Bank Group (LAC Region)

Haris Sanahuja (HS), an Argentinian national, received his first degree in Biological Sciences from the National University of Mar del Plata. He also holds a Masters in Science from the University of Costa Rica, in the field of Geography, with a thesis focused on DRM in Central America, and pursued doctoral studies in Geography, at the University of Humboldt, in Germany. In the international arena, HS worked in middle 90s for the World Bank in Washington, at the Department of Environmental Resources and Sustainable Development, to move later to Central America, where he worked with the Coordination Center for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters in Central America (CEPREDENAC). In 2001 he moved to Geneva to join the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-BCPR), and later, the UN Inter-Agency Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR). As UN staff member, HS participated actively in the process leading to the adoption of the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) as well as the development of national platforms for DRR around the world, and contributed to the development of disaster risk indexing and assessment tools. From 2005 to 2009 HS worked at the UNISDR Americas Unit in Panama, as a regional policy advisor for the region. From 2009 until November 2017 HS worked as independent consultant in the areas of Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and Adaptation to Climate Change, consulting in regular basis with the World Bank, the Interamerican Development Bank and the United Nations System, supporting lending operations and technical assistance projects in Central American countries, Albania, Argentina, Bahamas, Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Haris has recently joined the World Bank as staff member, in the position of Senior DRM Specialist, based in Nicaragua. During his career, HS has contributed as an author and co-author to global, regional and national assessment report on DRM and ACC for the UN, World Bank and other international organizations.

Mrs Suzanne Gosling
Director of Global Technical Unit
International Medical Corps (IMC)

Suzanne has worked in a variety of roles in International Medical Corps and World Health Organization for the past seven years. She has worked in major acute emergency crises, including in the Philippines in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, South Sudan and in Jordan as part of the World Health Organization’s Emergency Management Support Team covering the Middle East. Most recently Suzanne has led the process of developing the quality minimum standards for International Medical Corps globally, bringing together all technical components in line with international standards and best practices. Suzanne has worked as the Regional Technical Coordinator for the Middle East, setting up the first regional technical team with responsibility over Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. She has worked with a plethora of stakeholders to develop a vision and cohesive strategy for the organization. Prior to her international work, Suzanne spent ten years working for England’s National Health Service in a variety of management and clinical roles, including as Head Nurse for South Birmingham. Suzanne holds a Diploma in Adult Nursing from the University of Nottingham, a Diploma in Tropical Nursing from The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and an M.Sc. in Public Health from the University of Nottingham.

Sergio Murillo (Panel Chair)
General Director
Red 52

Sergio Murillo is co-founder and CEO of RED52, a Licensed Public Telecommunications network in Mexico. RED52 operates their teleport in Mexico City providing full teleport services for Video, Data, Voice, and Internet connectivity to Government and private sector customers. Mr. Murillo has over 30 years of experience in the Telecommunications, Satellite, and Cellular Industries. He has authored several books and trade magazine articles, and served on the boards of various trade associations. He is intimately familiar with the Latin American marketplace, and under his direction RED52 has consistently booked triple digit year on year revenue growth, while providing pro bono social services for qualified remote underserved areas. Mr. Murillo is actively involved in assisting governments throughout the region in the development of their telecommunications projects with a view to creating sustainable social benefits. He holds advance training certifications from the GVF and provides HOST certification testing at the RED52 facilities in Mexico City.

Alberto Cabrera
Team Leader – Disaster Management Support
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Alberto Cabrera has held different positions within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement since 2002, including his current assignment providing Surge Capacity and Information Management leadership, at the Americas Regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. After volunteering and working for the Mexican Red Cross within the ambulance and search and rescue services for several years, the 2010 Earthquake in Haiti was a turning point for Alberto to start his quest to find new ways to strengthen the impact of humanitarian assistance through technology, aiming to reduce time and costs and bring support as close as possible to the beneficiaries. Alberto has supported emergency operations of different scope, such as Hurricane Katrina (2005 USA), Haiti Earthquake (2010), Typhoon Haiyan (2013 Philippines), Ecuador Earthquake (2016), and most recently Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean (2017). He has trained Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement personnel in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Americas. Alberto resides in Panama City, and has a strong passion for new technology, and enjoys finding ways to incorporate tech assets into his daily life.

William Daley
Emergency Response Manager
Americares

Americares Emergency Response Manager William Daley leads responses to hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, disease outbreaks and other humanitarian crises worldwide. He is responsible for managing Americares emergency response teams in the field, coordinating large-scale deliveries of medicine and relief supplies for disaster survivors, and implementing programs that meet survivors’ long-term health needs. Since joining Americares in 2016, William’s disaster response work has taken him to Dominica, Ecuador, Haiti, Peru, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and various U.S. states. He has been on the frontlines of several emergencies including Hurricane Matthew (2016) and Hurricane Maria (2017). Prior to joining Americares, William served as the operations manager for Last Mile Health in rural Liberia, West Africa. William holds a master’s degree from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He also completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Madrid, Spain.

Eduardo Gutiérrez Gaslin
Sub Regional Manager for CAM,Regional Disaster Assistance Program (RDAP)
USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA)

Eduardo Gutiérrez Gaslin joined USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) in 2009 and currently serves as Sub regional Manager for Central America, México and the Dominican Republic. He holds a Masters degree in Education Science with emphasis in Educational Research and Administration. Prior to joining OFDA, Eduardo amassed 29 years of teaching experience, serving 23 years as a volunteer firefighter.

Mr. Marc-Andre Prost
Head Social Protection and Nutrition
UN World Food Programme (WFP)

Marc is a Public Health Nutritionist with over 15 years of experience working in humanitarian and development contexts on food security and nutrition. Currently the nutrition advisor for the UN World Food Programme in Latin America and the Caribbean, Marc also leads the team working on social protection in the region. With WFP since 2009, Marc has held several positions with the organisation in Sudan and Somalia managing complex portfolios of programmes addressing acute and chronic hunger. Previously, Marc worked with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in DRC, Burundi and Kenya, with NGO Solidarites Internationales in DRC, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) in the UK.

Colon Miller (Panel Chair)
Global Director Humanitarian & Government Programs
Volga Dnepr Airlines

Colon Miller is the Director, Government & Defense Programs for Volga-Dnepr Unique Air Cargo from the North American office out of Houston, Texas. Colon is a retired Air Force Veteran with over 22 years of services, and 30 years of experience in airlift and logistics. Colon is responsible for many U.S. Government Key Accounts, working closely with such organisations, as; U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, U.S. Transportation Command, Air Mobility Command, USAID, the United Nations, NATO and many Fortune 500 Companies around the globe where he provides logistical support and solutions in support of their global and strategical objectives.

José Agustín Donderis Miranda
Director General
Sistema Nacional de Proteccion Civil (SINAPROC); Republic of Panama

Mr. José Donderis is the Director General of the National Civil Protection System of Panama (SINAPROC), and Panama’s Representative in the Council of Representatives, Central American Coordination Center for National Disaster Prevention (CEPREDENAC). Previously, Mr. Donderis served as SINAPROC's Regional Director for the Province of Chiriquí. Prior to this, he aided with medical visits to areas inhabited by indigenous people in the Provinces of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro, conducted by a Christian church and also assisted in a Humanitarian Aid Mission program organized by U.S. churches. Earlier in his career, Mr. Donderis volunteered for 9 years with the Panamanian Red Cross. Mr. Donderis is married, holds a private pilot license (Enrique Malek Aviation School, Panama) and a B.S. in Business Administration, with concentration in Marketing.

Francisco Quesada
UNHRD Manager
UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) / WFP

Mr. Francisco Quesada has a degree in Law and Mater in International Cooperation for Development. Since December 2015, he has served as Manager of the UNHRD Panama. Previously, Mr. Quesada has worked as Advisor of the Cabinet of the Secretary General of International Development in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain; Advisor on International Development of the Popular Party Group at the Spanish Parliament; Director of the NGO Kivuvu; Project Manager and expatriate in Humanismo y Democracia Foundation; Project and Logistics Manager in the NGO Action Against Hunger, Volunteer in NGO Manos Unidas; Independent Consultant in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro; Editor Assistant in the newsletter Eurosur in Brussels; Assistant at the Information and Communication Department in IBF in Brussels; and Internship at Directorate General X - Multimedia Library at the European Commission in Brussels.

Belkacem Machane
Regional Supply Chain Advisor
UN World Food Programme (WFP)

Belkacem, an Architect from the Polytechnic School, has 19 years of extensive experience with WFP in emergency context working on Logistics and Preparedness in Kosovo, Iraq, Haiti, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Niger. Currently he serves as the Senior Regional Supply Chain Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Panama. Belkacem was a member of the emergency team deployed to the Caribbean Region during Irma and Maria Hurricanes (2017).

Eduardo Luis Aguilar Flores
Official Situation
National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED); Guatemala

Eduardo Luis Aguilar Flores is 28 years old, and was born in Guatemala. Already, he has dedicated 12 years to the emergency services from different perspectives, starting with volunteering after the presence and effects of Tropical Storm Stan (October 2005), later becoming part of the Emergency Transmission Center until reaching the Permanent Operations Center. Mr. Aguilar's first experience in SE-CONRED was as a volunteer carrying out logistical actions for the transfer of humanitarian aid. He originally became involved in order to help affected Guatemalans; an aspect that remains a commitment throughout his life. With the development of these actions, and the completion of an academic cycle, he was able to opt for an official position within the institution. Adding to the Emergency Transmission Center as a radio operator, attention to communications from collaborators, volunteers and links belonging to the system, Mr. Aguilar was able to learn new practices which aid the position he currently serves today - management of information, validation and preparation of reports for decision making. He is also working towards a degree in Comprehensive Risk Management.

Riaz Lamak
Coordinator, Global Disaster Preparedness Initiatives
Global VSAT Forum (GVF)

Riaz Lamak is responsible for HADR, Network Validation-Benchmarking & Onsite Capacity Building initiatives with the GVF. Mr. Lamak contributes to the Forum's efforts in support of Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Mitigation as well as facilitate Performance Quality Assurance of satellite-based communication solutions.

Jorge Garcia-DelaTorre (Panel Chair)
Senior Solutions Engineer
Crossmatch

Jorge Garcia-DelaTorre is the Senior Solutions Engineer for Latin America at Crossmatch. He is an expert in security, strong authentication, biometrics, video analytics and identity management in projects related to; border control, voter registration and identification, migrant and refugee management, benefits distribution, military and law enforcement. Jorge has over 20 years of experience in the security industry with companies such as McAfee, Phoenix IVS, and Behavioral Recognition Systems (BRS LABS). Prior to joining Crossmatch, Jorge was the Solution Architect for BRS Labs where he was the lead solutions engineer delivering the video analytics system deployed after the Boston Marathon bombing. Jorge has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico and is fluent in English and Spanish.

Federico Benavides
Disaster Recovery Manager
IOM Regional Office for Central, North America & the Caribbean

Mr. Benavides has worked for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for over 18 years and is currently the Organization’s Disaster Recovery Manager, additionally he is the Head of the Information and Communications Technology Unit (ICT) in the Panama (Global) Administrative Center. Mr. Benavides has worked for IOM in his native Costa Rica, IOM Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the Manilla (Global) Administrative Center, the Panama (Global) Administrative Center and has also worked in short term assignments in over 30 IOM missions worldwide including emergency operations in Nauru and Haiti.

Mr. Benavides participates in the strategy definition for both the global ICT services and for the Panama Administrative Center and has actively contributed to the growth experienced by the IOM operation in Panama. In addition of being professional in Information Technology, Mr. Benavides holds a Master of Business Administration (Strategy) and is currently pursuing a master degree in Cloud Computing Architecture.

Zachary Clancy
Vice President; Director of Information Technology
HELP.NGO / Global Disaster Immediate Response Team (DIRT)

Zac Clancy is a senior software engineer and communications equipment specialist with broad experience ranging from technology startups to forward deployment into the immediate aftermath of international disasters. Zac led small US-based technology teams while in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, helping to automate certain aspects of the emergency medical supply chain with software. Since Haiti, he has led initiatives, advised decision-makers, and implemented technology solutions during international disasters, or other critical incidents both locally and abroad. Zac is currently the Vice President of Help.NGO, and serves as the Director of IT for their Disaster Immediate Response Team.

Jocelyn Lance
Resilience & Rapid Response Coordinator for LAC
European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Jocelyn Lance has over 30 years of professional experience within the private, NGO and public sectors. Working in the LAC region for DG ECHO, he started in Honduras, nineteen years ago in the context of the EU response to Hurricane Mitch. Since then, Jocelyn has been involved in the implementation of EU humanitarian contributions to emergency response and disaster risk reduction across Central America, South America and the Caribbean region. In June 2015, Jocelyn was appointed as Resilience and Rapid Response Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean by the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department of the European Union (DG-ECHO). Jocelyn has a Master's Degree in Applied Geology (Geophysics).

Julian Alberto Garcia Roman
Sub COE Director
Emergency Operations Center (COE); Dominican Republic

Julián Alberto García Román was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on April 17, 1972. He joined the Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic at just 17 years of age, occupying several important positions from Director of the Municipality Santo Domingo West, to being the National Head of Operations. In 2006, by Presidential decree, he was promoted to Deputy Director and in charge of the Communications Division of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) of the Dominican Republic, which he currently holds today. Mr. Roman has a Diploma in Risk Management, in Mega Security events, and is an instructor in training for CPI and IDI instructors, and in evaluation of damages, hazardous materials, telecommunications in emergencies, and Safe airports. Mr. Roman has also participated in several humanitarian allied force exercises with the Southern Command of the United States.

Simon Gray (Panel Chair)
Senior VP of Humanitarian Affairs & Director GVF
Eutelsat

Simon Gray is the Vice President of Humanitarian Affairs for Eutelsat and he is also a member of the ITU Advisory board for developing disaster comms strategy world-wide. He has been elected by the other 8 satellite fleet operators to coordinate the Satellite charter with the UN for the satellite industry as the coordinator for the ESOA Humanitarian working group. Simon has been a Director of the GVF, for over 6 years. He has worked in the satellite industry for over 20 years and while at Eutelsat has been responsible for the largest training program ever undertaken by a satellite operator. His role in Eutelsat has also encompassed developing a new class of satellite terminal, equipment approval, mobile Apps, training courses & training tools. His team has also been responsible for overseeing over 350,000 terminal installations across 4 continents and he is the point of reference for the Eutelsat fleet for remote terminal technology.

Isaac Kwamy
Director, Humanitarian Disaster Management & Emergency Response
NetHope

Isaac has over 18 years of senior-level experience in humanitarian relief and development field operations serving in senior management positions at World Vision and NetHope. Isaac provides leadership of NetHope’s Global Humanitarian Operations Programs including Emergency Preparedness and Response efforts, Crisis Informatics, Communications with Communities (CWC) / Information as Aid and Humanitarian Digital Financial Services. Isaac’s field facing emergency response experience is extensive – SE Asia tsunami (2004/2005), Sichuan, China earthquake (2008), Cyclone Nargis, Myanmar (2008), Darfur refugee crisis in (2009), Haiti earthquake response (2010-12), Horn of Africa draught (2011), Pakistan floods (2011), South Sudan (2013), Typhoon Haiyan Philippines (2013-2014), Nepal earthquake (2015) and Syrian refugee crisis (2016-17). Isaac represents NetHope on the UN Emergency Telecom Cluster and has spearheaded collaborations with UN agencies (WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO and UNDAC) as well as NetHope member INGOs.

Gabriela Alvarado
Regional IT Officer
UN World Food Programme (WFP)

Ms. Gabriela Alvarado is the Regional IT Adviser for the WFP Latin America & Caribbean Region. Gabriela has served a little over 19 years in WFP across various regions throughout the course of the years, from Iraq, Kenya, Sudan among other countries. Most recently, Gabriela lead the ETC response during the Hurricane Irma & Maria emergency in the Caribbean which provided support to various of the affected countries. Over the years, Gabriela has lead various teams in WFP in the areas of Service Management, Policy and various projects in the emergency preparedness and response. She’s also collaborated with various technological entities in order to use technology to further improve and enhance emergency response measures. A Nicaraguan national, she studied Systems Engineering and holds an MBA (Technology Management) from Colorado Tech.

Rory Eddings
Director of Sales & Marketing
AQYR

A 35-year satellite communications veteran, Mr. Eddings career has included operations, engineering, technical support, sales and business development roles. He has led sales and business development efforts focused on commercial, government and military roles with both U.S. and foreign entities; working with satellite antenna and amplifier manufacturers as well as service providers. Mr. Eddings is a US Army veteran serving as an engineer and instructor. Mr. Eddings has provided GVF training and has been an active member of the GVF and associated organizations, working on disaster recovery initiatives and networks. He has traveled to over 80 countries representing the interests of the satellite community, and the organizations and companies he has represented. Presently, Mr. Eddings provides sale and marketing management of AQYR products. He is responsible for global sales of the existing two way products, and leading the marketing and business development efforts at AQYR.

Rodrigo Robles
Programme Officer
UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Mr. Rodrigo Robles works as Program Officer of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. He is the ITU focal point for emergency telecommunications in the Americas. As part of ITU, he has led numerous studies such as "Policy Guidelines & Economic Aspects of Allocation & Use of the Spectrum" and "The Development of Mobile Government in Latin America". He has also participated in different topics related to the convergence of telecommunications services, mobile banking, compliance and interoperability of telecommunications equipment, among others. Mr. Robles coordinated the third update of the Blue Book "Telecommunications Policy for the Americas Region" (CITEL and ITU). Likewise, he was Chair of the Working Group on Policy & Regulation (GTPR) of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL-OAS), in addition he was Deputy Coordinator of the Standardization Committee of the Regional Technical Telecommunications Commission of Central America (COMTELCA). Prior to joining ITU in 2013, Mr. Robles worked for more than 16 years in the Telecommunications Superintendence of Guatemala (SIT) and for 5 years in GUATEL (State telecommunications operator in Guatemala).

Dagoberto Garavito
Senior Sales Manager - LATAM
Speedcast

Dagoberto Garavito has been with SpeedCast since 2015 and is the Regional Sales Manager for Latin America based in Lima, Peru. He is responsible for the commercial strategy and for leading the region's businesses in each of the market verticals. Mr. Garavito is an Electronic Engineer and has held technical and commercial positions in the satellite telecommunications industry for the past 10 years. During his time at SpeedCast, he has strengthened the positioning of the brand in the region, achieving the growth of sales channels, establishing the company as a key global service provider among the customers of Energy, Government, NGO and Enterprise.

Dr Gregg Keen (Panel Chair)
International Business Development
Sawyer Products

Gregg spent the first half of his 30-year NGO career serving in multi-disciplinary emergency response, health and economic development roles while living in Somalia, Cambodia, Uganda and Rwanda. He then took on USA-based technical and senior management role supporting programs in over 50 countries. Transitioning to the private sector four years ago, Gregg helped Sawyer Products develop an international humanitarian response division and currently serves as Sawyer’s Director of Humanitarian Response Partnerships. Gregg holds a Masters Degree in International Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin, an MBA with a focus on International Economic Development from Eastern University, and a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership (DTL) from Bakke Graduate University.

Aloysius (Luis) Pereira
Regional Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Director
World Vision LACRO

Aloysius (Luis) Pereira is an International Development Professional with over 20+ years of experience in managing multifaceted programs around the world. Luis started his career in India in the Financé sector but soon found his vocation in working in humanitarian development. He has functioned as a senior Director with several major child focused organizations such as Plan International, The Bernard van Leer Foundation, Save the Children and over the last 5 years with World Vision Haiti and Ethiopia. He has 11 years working in Haiti alone, but has also worked in other countries such as Paraguay, Burkina Faso, and the Netherlands. Luis is currently the Regional Humanitarian Emergency Affairs Director, for the region of Latin America and the Caribbean based in Panama City, Panama.

Luis has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the Fletcher School, Tufts University. During the last 5 years he has entered the complex world of responding to emergencies. He has led the earthquake response in the early days of the earthquake in Jacmel, Haiti, that continued into the post earthquake recovery and rehabilitation of the country based in Port-au Prince. After a successful tenure in Haiti, Luis moved to Ethiopia to manage similar country operations to address the famine and refugee responses. During this time in Haiti and Ethiopia, he successfully managed several huge grants in sectors such as child protection, livelihoods, HIV/AIDS, management of natural resources, food distribution, health and nutrition, emergency shelter, and education in emergencies.

Juan Camilo Pinzón A
Regional Humanitarian Coordinator - LAC region
Save the Children International

Juan joined Save the Children International in November 2014 as Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Latin America & Caribbean region. For the past 4 years, Juan has supported several LAC countries during emergency response operations, emergency preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities. Prior to Save the Children, Juan spent 3 years as a Regional Humanitarian Officer for the United Nations’ World Food Programme disaster management team (DMT). His focus of work was on the identification and tracking of humanitarian crises, supporting emergency preparedness, programme design and emergency response in several LAC countries. He gained experience in Human Rights after working with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) in Panama City. Juan holds a Bachelor Degree in International Relations from Florida State University with particular interest in emergency preparedness, logistics & operations, programme design, emergency response and recovery. He is Colombian and has been living in Panama since 2010.

Jose Felix Rodriguez
Senior Migration Officer
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Jose Felix is a Lawyer graduated (2001), with a Master’s Degree in Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in Latin America (2013) and a Specialist in Senior Management (2014). Further studies include E-gob Master Degree candidate, and Public Law Specialist candidate. Over the past 18 years Jose Felix has held various positions in Venezuela, notably 10 years with The Ombudsman of Venezuela, where he worked in the defence of human rights as well as corporate management. More recently he coordinated the promotion and defence of human rights of the LGBTI community and People with HIV. He also held management positions with the Venezuelan Ministries of Culture and Tourism, and an administrative post with the Ministry of Education. In 2014 Jose Felix commenced work with IFRC regional office in Panama to promote non-violence and social inclusion through the Red Cross Friendly Neighbourhoods Initiative and to develop and implement a regional Migration Strategy.

Kate Spring
Liaison Officer
UNAIDS Latin America & the Caribbean Regional Office

Ms Kate Spring joined UNAIDS in 2004 and is currently Liaison Officer in the Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office, Panama. She has over 25 years of experience in public health strategic information, policy, accountability and sustainability. Initially an Independent Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant (UNICEF, WHO, Aga Khan Foundation), she became UNAIDS Strategic Information Adviser (2004-2013) and Country Director (Jamaica, 2014-2015). She supported humanitarian responses in South Sudan (1996-1997), post-genocide Rwanda (2003-2006), and Haiti pre, during and post-earthquake (2006-2012). She was instrumental in orchestrating or advancing regional initiatives (African Evaluation Association, 1999; LACIII Forum on HIV sustainability, 2017). As Liaison Officer, she supports strategic positioning of HIV within the Sustainable Development Goals agenda in the AIDS policy, funding and programming landscapes for the LAC region, especially for the Caribbean. She also supports Caribbean HIV estimations. Ms Spring is British-Ghanaian, and holds an MPH (Epidemiology) from Columbia University.

Lorenzo Alonso Barraza Serracin
Disaster Management Consultant
PAHO/WHO

Lorenzo Barraza holds a Bachelor degree in Medical Emergencies and Disaster, and MBA in project management. He is a consultant in disaster risk management with 20 years of national and international experience in health and disasters of which, 10 years as a consultant to the PAHO / WHO emergency program - facilitating programs and projects for training and preparation in risk reduction, preparedness and response to health emergencies and disasters in support to the health sector of Central America. Lorenzo has participated in response efforts to many emergencies and disasters across the Americas as part of the regional response team of PAHO / WHO. He is Panamanian of nationality and a university professor by vocation.