We are thrilled to announce our team at Cultural Survival is expanding! Our staff and board are majority Indigenous and come from the various communities and regions we serve. Our growing team has a diverse set of expertise, skills, cultural knowledge, identities, and experiences and through their leadership, we continue to decolonize, Indigenize, and deepen our work. As an Indigenous-led NGO and U.S. registered non-profit, we have advocated for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supported Indigenous communities' self-determination, cultures, and political resilience since 1972. For 52 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide.
A warm welcome to our new staff members!
Byron Tenesaca Guaman (Kañari Kichwa), Fellowships Coordinator, is from Guapondelig situated in Kañari territory (also known today as Cuenca) in the southern Andes of Ecuador. Byron comes to Cultural Survival after serving as a Bilingual Cultural Arts Educator, Hiset Instructor, Interpreter, and Programs Manager in North Carolina. A certified K-12 Art Instructor, Byron holds a Master’s degree in Comprehensive Education with a focus in Studio Art from Western Carolina University. As an educator, Byron weaves his identities of visual artist, basket maker, immigrant, storyteller, and father to create spaces for creativity, curiosity, reflection, healing, and empowerment in our youth. He’s passionate about using art and creativity as tools for amplifying our Indigenous voices and finding solutions to current issues facing our communities. Byron recently moved back to his community in the Andes to work on documentation and youth empowerment projects in the arts and crafts. Contact Byron at [email protected].
Georges Theodore Dougnon (Dogon), Capacity Building Program Assistant, hails from central Mali. He holds a Master's degree in Global Governance, Intercultural Relations, and Peace Process Management from the University of Siena in Italy. He is deeply committed to community engagement and envisions a world where peace and justice prevail. As a human rights and social change activist, he devotes his free time to various community engagement projects and initiatives aimed at fostering social change. Drawing inspiration from the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Georges firmly believes that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere... Whatever affects one of us directly, affects all of us indirectly." His passion for advocacy and dedication to creating a more just society drive his ongoing efforts toward positive change and equality. Georges speaks English, French, Italian, Dogon, Fulani, and Bambara. Contact Georges at: [email protected].
Elvia Rodriguez (Mixtec), Community Media Program Assistant, is from Santo Tomas Ocotepec, a community in the High Mixtec of Oaxaca, Mexico. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) and a Master’s degree in Constitutional Law from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). She also holds courses and specializations at El Colegio de México, the National Human Rights Commission and at the City College of San Francisco. Elvia has more than eight years of work experience at three United Nations Mexico agencies and at non-profit organizations based in Oaxaca de Juarez, San Francisco, and New York. She has specialized in human rights, self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, cross-border migration, and gender-based violence. Contact Elvia at [email protected].
Mariana Rodriguez Osorio, Executive Assistant, comes to Cultural Survival with over two years of experience in the field. She is recognized for her efficiency, quick learning, and organizational skills. Alongside her professional achievements, she holds qualifications as a cook and pastry chef from Institution Mariano Moreno and in video and photography from Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) in Colombia. Fluent in Spanish and English with a building proficiency in French, Mariana is also a culture and language enthusiast. Her diverse skill set includes database management, editing, and scheduling. Mariana's passion for embracing new cultures and languages adds a unique perspective to her contributions in any administrative role. Contact Mariana at [email protected].
Thaís Soares Pellosi, Executive Assistant, was born and raised in Brazil. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. She is interested in human rights advocacy, particularly for women, and has been part of many study groups on women's empowerment and leadership. She is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, and French. Thaís enjoys dancing, watching YouTube channels about traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and playing with her dogs. Contact Thaís at [email protected].
Belen Iñiguez, Publications Distribution Assistant, is based in La Paz, Bolivia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Logistics from the Bolivian Private University, with a specialization in Digital Marketing. Passionate about fashion and textile design, Belen is also the founder of a sustainable fashion brand. Moreover, she is dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion practices and sustainability for children and teenagers. Her experience includes organizing cultural and artistic events. Belen is fluent in both Spanish and English. Contact Belen at [email protected].
¡Cultural Survival se complace en anunciar que nuestro equipo está creciendo! Nuestro personal y junta directiva son en su mayoría Indígenas y provienen de diversas comunidades y regiones a las que servimos. Nuestro equipo en crecimiento posee un conjunto diverso de habilidades, conocimientos culturales, identidades y experiencias; a través de su liderazgo, continuamos descolonizando, Indigenizando y profundizando nuestro trabajo. Como ONG sin fines de lucro y dirigida por Indígenas, registrada en los Estados Unidos, defendemos los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y apoyamos la autodeterminación, las culturas y la resiliencia política de sus comunidades desde 1972. Durante 52 años, Cultural Survival se ha asociado con las comunidades Indígenas para promover sus derechos y culturas en todo el mundo.
¡Una cálida bienvenida a nuestros nuevos miembros del personal!
Byron Tenesaca Guaman (Kañari Kichwa), coordinador de becas, es de Guapondelig situado en territorio Kañari (también conocido hoy como Cuenca) en los Andes del sur de Ecuador. Byron llega a Cultural Survival después de trabajar como educador bilingüe de artes culturales, instructor de Hiset, intérprete y gerente de programas en Carolina del Norte. Byron, instructor de arte certificado desde jardín de infantes hasta 12.º grado, tiene una maestría en educación integral con especialización en artes visuales de la Western Carolina University. Como educador, Byron entreteje sus identidades de artista visual, cestero, inmigrante, narrador y padre para crear espacios para la creatividad, la curiosidad, la reflexión, la sanación y el empoderamiento en nuestra juventud. Le apasiona utilizar el arte y la creatividad como herramientas para amplificar nuestras voces indígenas y encontrar soluciones a los problemas actuales que enfrentan nuestras comunidades. Byron recientemente regresó a su comunidad en los Andes para trabajar en proyectos de documentación y empoderamiento juvenil en las artes y la artesanía. Comuníquese con Byron en [email protected].
Georges Theodore Dougnon (Dogon), asistente del programa de desarrollo de capacidades, es oriundo del centro de Malí. Tiene una maestría en Gobernanza Global, Relaciones Interculturales y Gestión de Procesos de Paz de la Universidad de Siena en Italia. Está profundamente comprometido con la participación comunitaria y visualiza un mundo donde prevalezcan la paz y la justicia. Como activista de derechos humanos y cambio social, dedica su tiempo libre a diversos proyectos e iniciativas de participación comunitaria destinados a fomentar el cambio social. Inspirándose en los legados de Martin Luther King Jr. y Nelson Mandela, Georges cree firmemente que "la injusticia en cualquier lugar es una amenaza para la justicia en todas partes... Todo lo que nos afecta a uno de nosotros directamente, nos afecta a todos indirectamente". Su pasión por la defensa y su dedicación a la creación de una sociedad más justa impulsan sus continuos esfuerzos hacia el cambio positivo y la igualdad. Georges habla inglés, francés, italiano, dogon, fulani y bambara. Póngase en contacto con Georges al correo: [email protected].
Elvia Rodríguez (Mixtec), asistente del programa de Medios Comunitarios. Es originaria de Santo Tomás Ocotepec, municipio perteneciente a la región de la Mixteca Alta de Oaxaca. Es licenciada en Relaciones Internacionales por la Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) y Maestra en Derecho Constitucional por la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Ha tomado cursos y especializaciones en El Colegio de México, La Comisión Nacional de Derechos Humanos y en City College of San Francisco. Cuenta con más de 8 años de experiencia laboral, en tres agencias de las Naciones Unidas México y en organizaciones sin fines de lucro en Oaxaca de Juárez y en las ciudades de San Francisco y Nueva York en los Estados Unidos de América. Se ha especializado en derechos humanos, en la libre determinación de los pueblos originarios, migración transfronteriza y violencia por razón de género. Póngase en contacto con Elvia en [email protected].
Mariana Rodríguez Osorio, asistente ejecutiva, llega a Cultural Survival con más de dos años de experiencia en el campo. Es reconocida por su eficiencia, rápido aprendizaje y capacidad organizativa. Paralelamente a su trayectoria profesional, cuenta con títulos como cocinera y pastelera de la Institución Mariano Moreno y en video y fotografía del Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) en Colombia. Mariana habla español e inglés con fluidez y tiene un dominio avanzado del francés. También es una entusiasta de la cultura y los idiomas. Su conjunto diverso de habilidades incluye gestión, edición y programación de bases de datos. La pasión de Mariana por abrazar nuevas culturas e idiomas agrega una perspectiva única a sus contribuciones en cualquier función administrativa. Comuníquese con Mariana en [email protected].
Thaís Soares Pellosi, asistente ejecutiva, nació y creció en Brasil. Tiene una Licenciatura en Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Federal de Uberlândia. Está interesada en la defensa de los derechos humanos, particularmente de las mujeres, y ha formado parte de muchos grupos de estudio sobre el empoderamiento y el liderazgo de las mujeres. Habla con fluidez portugués, inglés, español, alemán y francés. A Thaís le gusta bailar, ver canales de YouTube sobre viajes, pasar tiempo con su familia y amigos y jugar con sus perros. Puede comunicarse con Thaís en [email protected].
Belen Iñiguez, asistente de distribución de publicaciones, reside en La Paz, Bolivia. Posee una licenciatura en Marketing y Logística de la Universidad Privada Boliviana, con especialización en Marketing Digital. Apasionada por la moda y el diseño textil, Belen también es fundadora de una marca de moda sostenible. Además, se dedica a promover prácticas de moda sostenible y sustentabilidad con niños y adolescentes. Su experiencia incluye la gestión de eventos culturales y artísticos. Belen habla español e inglés con fluidez. Contacta a [email protected].
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Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience since 1972. We envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.
Georges Theodore Dougnon (Dogon), Capacity Building Program Assistant, hails from central Mali. He holds a Master's degree in Global Governance, Intercultural Relations, and Peace Process Management from the University of Siena in Italy. He is deeply committed to community engagement and envisions a world where peace and justice prevail. As a human rights and social change activist, he devotes his free time to various community engagement projects and initiatives aimed at fostering social change. Drawing inspiration from the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, Georges firmly believes that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere... Whatever affects one of us directly, affects all of us indirectly." His passion for advocacy and dedication to creating a more just society drive his ongoing efforts toward positive change and equality. Georges speaks English, French, Italian, Dogon, Fulani, and Bambara. Contact Georges at: 
Elvia Rodriguez (Mixtec), Community Media Program Assistant, is from Santo Tomas Ocotepec, a community in the High Mixtec of Oaxaca, Mexico. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) and a Master’s degree in Constitutional Law from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). She also holds courses and specializations at El Colegio de México, the National Human Rights Commission and at the City College of San Francisco. Elvia has more than eight years of work experience at three United Nations Mexico agencies and at non-profit organizations based in Oaxaca de Juarez, San Francisco, and New York. She has specialized in human rights, self-determination of Indigenous Peoples, cross-border migration, and gender-based violence. Contact Elvia at 
Mariana Rodriguez Osorio, Executive Assistant, comes to Cultural Survival with over two years of experience in the field. She is recognized for her efficiency, quick learning, and organizational skills. Alongside her professional achievements, she holds qualifications as a cook and pastry chef from Institution Mariano Moreno and in video and photography from Servicio Nacional de Aprendizaje (SENA) in Colombia. Fluent in Spanish and English with a building proficiency in French, Mariana is also a culture and language enthusiast. Her diverse skill set includes database management, editing, and scheduling. Mariana's passion for embracing new cultures and languages adds a unique perspective to her contributions in any administrative role. Contact Mariana at 
Thaís Soares Pellosi, Executive Assistant, was born and raised in Brazil. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from the Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. She is interested in human rights advocacy, particularly for women, and has been part of many study groups on women's empowerment and leadership. She is fluent in Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, and French. Thaís enjoys dancing, watching YouTube channels about traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and playing with her dogs. Contact Thaís at 
Belen Iñiguez, Publications Distribution Assistant, is based in La Paz, Bolivia. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Logistics from the Bolivian Private University, with a specialization in Digital Marketing. Passionate about fashion and textile design, Belen is also the founder of a sustainable fashion brand. Moreover, she is dedicated to promoting sustainable fashion practices and sustainability for children and teenagers. Her experience includes organizing cultural and artistic events. Belen is fluent in both Spanish and English. Contact Belen at 
