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 advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights and support Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience since 1972. For 50 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide.
A warm welcome to our new staff members!
Pablo Xol (Maya Qʼeqchiʼ), Design and Marketing Associate, is originally from Guatemala but has been living and working in Panama for the last twelve years. Pablo studied fashion design and has over 20 years of experience in creating and developing brands throughout Central America. Pablo has worked as a lecturer and industrial fashion designer and even showcased some of his creations during Fashion Week Costa Rica and E! Entertainment Television. He is passionate about promoting projects that empower and build awareness about the diversity of human beings and started Studio Fashion Lab in 2018, a training platform for entrepreneurs wanting to create their own brands and build a community of creative talent in Latin America. His main objective is to ensure that authenticity is at the core of his creations and wants to contribute his skills to advancing Indigenous Peoples' rights. Contact Pablo at [email protected]. Read a Staff Spotlight on Pablo.
Mariana Kiimi (Ñuu Sàvi/Mixtec), Advocacy Assistant, is from San Juan Mixtepec in Oaxaca, México. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Migration Studies from Universidad Iberoamericana. Mariana has participated in research projects regarding human rights, migration, cultural diplomacy, and experiences and perceptions of COVID-19. She has also volunteered at migrant shelters in Mexico City during the arrival of caravans from Central and South America. She is fluent in Spanish and English and is learning Mixtec to deepen her connection with her community. She loves embracing and promoting her culture in different fields. Reach Mariana at [email protected].
Marco Lara, Social and Digital Media Coordinator, is from Mexico City. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and studied biodesign at the University of Buenos Aires and environmental and ecological economics at UNAM. He has worked in different media for more than 20 years, including print and TV. Before starting at Cultural Survival, Marco was Social Media Manager for the Memory and Tolerance Museum in Mexico City for six years. He has served as editor of different publications, including the book "Territorialization of Energy Reform" by Geocomunes. Reach Marco at [email protected].
Roberto De La Cruz Martínez (Binnizá), Information Technology Associate, is from Juchitan, Oaxaca, México, but currently lives in Oaxaca City. Before joining Cultural Survival, Roberto held different IT roles as Coordinator of Technological Innovation and Chief of Installations at Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias for five years. Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias provides and promotes the right to communication in Indigenous and vulnerable communities. There, Roberto had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of telecommunication projects in México and Latin America. Teaching and education are also part of Roberto's professional background. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and Telecommunications. Roberto speaks Spanish and Zapotec as native languages and continues to learn English. Reach Roberto at [email protected].
Kevin Alexander Larrea García, Information Technology Associate, is from Lima, Peru. Prior to joining Cultural Survival, he worked as an IT Solutions Assistant and Operations Analyst in Lima, Peru. IT helpdesk, web development, data analysis, hardware, and software maintenance are part of Kevin's professional skill set. He holds a project management technical degree and is currently finalizing a Software Engineering degree at Universidad Tecnologica del Perú. Kevin was interested in working at Cultural Survival as he wanted to “contribute his grain of sand and skills to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights around the world are heard, respected, and upheld.” Kevin speaks Spanish and English. Reach Kevin at [email protected].
Natalia Jones, Advocacy Associate, is Spanish and English and was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and further specialized by doing a postgraduate in Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Human Rights, and International Cooperation. Natalia started working in the field of human rights as an international observer for projects in Colombia and Mexico where she accompanied a variety of threatened human rights defenders (campesino communities, Indigenous leaders, feminist organizations, etc). She believes advocating for non-mainstream cosmovisions (especially Indigenous) and ways of relating to the earth and one another is one of the most sustainable ways of taking care of both our planet and our society. Reach Natalia at [email protected].
Michael J. Beeler, JD, CFRE, Individual Donor Manager,was born and raised in southern California. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of California, at Irvine. He conducted research at the UC Irvine Medical Center and later at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego. Michael is a published author and began his fundraising career writing grant proposals for his research. Michael’s youngest son was born with developmental disabilities. Michael’s commitment to his son led him to Pennsylvania where he found a specialized school for him. While in Pennsylvania Michael worked for a number of nonprofit organizations, including America’s Promise where he worked for General Colin Powell. Michael has produced events at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Herbst Theatre, and the Disneyland Resort. He taught a course in Executive Fundraising at George Washington University and has aided several organizations in strategic planning and helped them to dramatically improve their fundraising efforts. Michael went to Law School at the Southern University Law Center. His hope is to use his legal education to craft new funding tools for Indigenous Peoples. When not working Michael likes to be in or near the water. Reach Michael at [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.
Pablo Xol (Maya Qʼeqchiʼ), Design and Marketing Associate, is originally from Guatemala but has been living and working in Panama for the last twelve years. Pablo studied fashion design and has over 20 years of experience in creating and developing brands throughout Central America. Pablo has worked as a lecturer and industrial fashion designer and even showcased some of his creations during Fashion Week Costa Rica and E! Entertainment Television. He is passionate about promoting projects that empower and build awareness about the diversity of human beings and started Studio Fashion Lab in 2018, a training platform for entrepreneurs wanting to create their own brands and build a community of creative talent in Latin America. His main objective is to ensure that authenticity is at the core of his creations and wants to contribute his skills to advancing Indigenous Peoples' rights. Contact Pablo at 
Mariana Kiimi (Ñuu Sàvi/Mixtec), Advocacy Assistant, is from San Juan Mixtepec in Oaxaca, México. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and a Master's degree in Migration Studies from Universidad Iberoamericana. Mariana has participated in research projects regarding human rights, migration, cultural diplomacy, and experiences and perceptions of COVID-19. She has also volunteered at migrant shelters in Mexico City during the arrival of caravans from Central and South America. She is fluent in Spanish and English and is learning Mixtec to deepen her connection with her community. She loves embracing and promoting her culture in different fields. Reach Mariana at 
Marco Lara, Social and Digital Media Coordinator, is from Mexico City. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and studied biodesign at the University of Buenos Aires and environmental and ecological economics at UNAM. He has worked in different media for more than 20 years, including print and TV. Before starting at Cultural Survival, Marco was Social Media Manager for the Memory and Tolerance Museum in Mexico City for six years. He has served as editor of different publications, including the book "Territorialization of Energy Reform" by Geocomunes. Reach Marco at 
Roberto De La Cruz Martínez (Binnizá), Information Technology Associate, is from Juchitan, Oaxaca, México, but currently lives in Oaxaca City. Before joining Cultural Survival, Roberto held different IT roles as Coordinator of Technological Innovation and Chief of Installations at Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias for five years. Telecomunicaciones Indígenas Comunitarias provides and promotes the right to communication in Indigenous and vulnerable communities. There, Roberto had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of telecommunication projects in México and Latin America. Teaching and education are also part of Roberto's professional background. He holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and Telecommunications. Roberto speaks Spanish and Zapotec as native languages and continues to learn English. Reach Roberto at 
Kevin Alexander Larrea García, Information Technology Associate, is from Lima, Peru. Prior to joining Cultural Survival, he worked as an IT Solutions Assistant and Operations Analyst in Lima, Peru. IT helpdesk, web development, data analysis, hardware, and software maintenance are part of Kevin's professional skill set. He holds a project management technical degree and is currently finalizing a Software Engineering degree at Universidad Tecnologica del Perú. Kevin was interested in working at Cultural Survival as he wanted to “contribute his grain of sand and skills to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ rights around the world are heard, respected, and upheld.” Kevin speaks Spanish and English. Reach Kevin at 
Natalia Jones, Advocacy Associate, is Spanish and English and was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and further specialized by doing a postgraduate in Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Human Rights, and International Cooperation. Natalia started working in the field of human rights as an international observer for projects in Colombia and Mexico where she accompanied a variety of threatened human rights defenders (campesino communities, Indigenous leaders, feminist organizations, etc). She believes advocating for non-mainstream cosmovisions (especially Indigenous) and ways of relating to the earth and one another is one of the most sustainable ways of taking care of both our planet and our society. Reach Natalia at 
Michael J. Beeler, JD, CFRE, Individual Donor Manager, was born and raised in southern California. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at the University of California, at Irvine. He conducted research at the UC Irvine Medical Center and later at the Naval Health Research Center in San Diego. Michael is a published author and began his fundraising career writing grant proposals for his research. Michael’s youngest son was born with developmental disabilities. Michael’s commitment to his son led him to Pennsylvania where he found a specialized school for him. While in Pennsylvania Michael worked for a number of nonprofit organizations, including America’s Promise where he worked for General Colin Powell. Michael has produced events at the White House, Carnegie Hall, Herbst Theatre, and the Disneyland Resort. He taught a course in Executive Fundraising at George Washington University and has aided several organizations in strategic planning and helped them to dramatically improve their fundraising efforts. Michael went to Law School at the Southern University Law Center. His hope is to use his legal education to craft new funding tools for Indigenous Peoples. When not working Michael likes to be in or near the water. Reach Michael at 
