Meet The Speakers

Director of Strategic Philanthropy at Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), where he translates generosity into action through strategic partnerships and modern giving channels. Following his transition from J.P. Morgan to the nonprofit sector, he brings a unique blend of finance, innovation, and humanitarian leadership to advance lifesaving medical care worldwide.

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She leads a network of 111 affiliated organizations and more than 300 corporate social investors impacting 1.2 million people on the island, and brings over 20 years of experience in strategic leadership, international consulting, scientific publications, and doctoral-level training in organizational psychology.

 

University professor and philanthropy researcher at Fundação Getulio Vargas, former Executive Director of the Brazilian Fundraisers Association (ABCR), and board member of multiple organizations advancing the strengthening and professionalization of the philanthropic sector in the region.
 

Public finance analyst with extensive experience in municipal credit markets. Former SVP at Lazard Asset Management and VP at Moody’s, advising on tax-exempt investments and public sector analysis. Holds a master’s degree from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University Chicago. At Dorado Cares, promotes equitable access to high-quality K–12 education.​

Guillermo Guasp Pérez, MPA, is Deputy Chief of Staff / District Director at the Office of the Resident Commissioner, where he leads district operations and strengthens the connection between the federal government, municipalities, and communities. He brings extensive experience in strategic consulting at V2A and in public sector budget analysis.

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President of Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico, impacting more than 19,500 children, youth, and families across 25 centers, with a focus on education, social development, and economic mobility. She has led initiatives backed by over $80M in the sector. In 2021, she was recognized as 40 Under 40 by Caribbean Business.

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International strategist and entrepreneur with a proven track record of building organizations across finance, technology, and real estate. She is Vice President of Celligence LLC, where she drives the use of AngelAi to transform customer engagement in financial services. She founded XL Dynamics and leads multimillion-dollar projects. As Mission Chair – Healthcare, she promotes access, equity, and well-being in Puerto Rico.​

He brings over four decades of leadership in economic development, philanthropy, and grantmaking across Puerto Rico and the United States, and is widely recognized for strengthening the sustainability and strategic growth of the nonprofit sector.

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Chairs the Board of Directors of the National Network of Gender-Based Violence Shelters of Puerto Rico. With 17 years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence, she advances the strengthening of emergency shelters and interagency coordination across the island.

Director of V2A Consulting and President of Fundación V2A, with over 20 years of experience in strategic planning, change management, and organizational transformation. She has worked closely with nonprofit organizations, strengthening their capacity and maximizing their impact in Puerto Rico. Through Fundación V2A, she drives the sustainable development and growth of the nonprofit sector.

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Licensed architect, LEED Accredited Professional, professor at the University of Puerto Rico, and former president of the U.S. Green Building Council Caribbean Chapter, specializing in green buildings and sustainability, with more than nineteen years of experience in Puerto Rico. In the private sector, she has coordinated and designed multiple green buildings, mostly funded with federal resources.

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She also designed and continues to collaborate on the community project Casa Taft 169. This is a pilot initiative that seeks to explore how communities can be revitalized through the reuse of abandoned buildings and collective community ownership.

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Higher education professional specialized in alumni engagement and philanthropy. He serves as Alumni Relations Manager at Sagrado Corazón University, where he leads initiatives that strengthen participation and a sense of belonging among alumni.

In addition, he is a professor and mentor in entrepreneurship. His passion for service has led him to dedicate his time to leading , with the mission of promoting generosity and social impact across the island.

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Richard A. Higgs has built a distinguished career combining business success and social impact. He held senior roles in global financial markets and acquired a patent that led to the development of PVA pods used by brands such as Procter & Gamble. He established manufacturing operations in the U.S. and led business initiatives in Puerto Rico, including Great Bay Global Fund and HAS Global Ventures. As founder of Dorado Cares, he drives programs focused on relief, infrastructure, and child welfare, creating a lasting impact in the community.

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Executive Vice President and Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Evertec, with a strong track record leading payments and financial services solutions across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Prior to this role, he held key positions within the company and at Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, where he worked in corporate banking and treasury.

Leads digital product development at Evertec, where she has contributed to the growth and evolution of platforms such as ATH Móvil. With experience in strategy, innovation, and user experience, she focuses on building solutions that simplify people’s lives and help organizations operate more efficiently.​

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Leads initiatives that strengthen education and the arts in Puerto Rico, advancing efforts to ensure students read at grade level by third grade. She has also supported artists and cultural organizations to expand their impact. With a background in the private sector, she brings a strategic approach focused on results and collaboration.

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Sonya Matos-Flores is a Senior Field Representative at the Office of the Resident Commissioner, where she supports municipalities and nonprofit organizations in accessing federal resources and coordinating interagency efforts. With more than 15 years of experience, she has worked at AARP Foundation and USDA Rural Development, focusing on connecting communities to essential services and improving access to federal programs.​

Amelia is deeply committed to community impact. As President of Welfare at Dorado Cares, she plays an active role in supporting initiatives that uplift and serve vulnerable populations across Puerto Rico. Her connection to these communities is both personal and cultural—her Latina identity has shaped her understanding of the challenges many families face and fuels her commitment to contribute with purpose.

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President of TEAM 1144 and Director of the PMTL Institute® in partnership with University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM). A specialist in project management and responsible AI, he has led high-impact initiatives for over 20 years. He is an Ambassador for the Global Council for Responsible AI, co-host of TRANSFORMAcción®, and Dr. AI on WAPA TV and ABC Puerto Rico.​

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Professor Amarilis González is the Executive Director of Techos Pa’ Mi Gente and Vice President of Puerto Rico VOAD. After Hurricane Maria, she retired from teaching to dedicate herself to the island’s recovery. She has led efforts that have helped hundreds of families rebuild their roofs and regain a safe home.

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Executive Director with over 30 years of management experience across the legal, healthcare, and philanthropic sectors. After a successful career in the private sector, she transitioned to the social sector to advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities, inspired by her sister Rita.

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​Co-founder and President of REMA, LLC, a leading SaaS solutions company for the social and government sectors. With extensive experience in technological innovation and the development of platforms like Sociants, he drives digital transformation to optimize social services through a focus on data, efficiency, and impact.

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Licensed architect with over 20 years of professional experience spanning architectural design and the management of sociocultural projects.

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She has collaborated with nonprofit organizations, leading projects in affordable housing construction, community design, arts education, and the development of participatory philanthropic practices.

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Since August 2021, she has served as a professor at the School of Architecture at the University of Puerto Rico, teaching both graduate and undergraduate architectural design courses.

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President and CEO of Titín Foundation, she leads initiatives that advance education, expand access to the arts, and strengthen the nonprofit sector in Puerto Rico. With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, she has served as an executive director, consultant, and board member of key organizations that promote collaboration and growth across the social sector.

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Laura Cancel is the CEO of NEDDIE and President of the Puerto Rico Nonprofit Summit, a social entrepreneur with over 10 years of experience in philanthropy, driving technological innovation and strategic partnerships with a vision to expand growth opportunities and access to funding for Puerto Rico’s nonprofit sector.

Sara Lomelin is the founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, a global organization advancing collective philanthropy. Recognized in TIME100 Philanthropy and Forbes 50 Over 50, she is a TED speaker. She founded LGCN, the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the U.S., mobilizing nearly 4,000 giving circles and 370,000 donors, generating over $3.1B for nonprofits.

Executive Director of Fundación de Mujeres en Puerto Rico and a recognized leader in racial and gender justice, with experience at the NIH, the Wilson Center, and the National Science Foundation, and a driving force behind key development and innovation initiatives in Puerto Rico following Hurricane María.

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Gio Blanco is a fundraising strategist and consultant with over 17 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, founder of Abundantia for Social Good, and has trained hundreds of leaders in sustainable fundraising strategies; she currently serves as Vice President of the Puerto Rico Nonprofit Summit.

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Juan Bauza is a leader in recovery, resilience, and community transformation, with a career defined by service and impact. Following Hurricane Maria, he led economic recovery strategies in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, strengthening nonprofit sector capacity and resilience systems. He advanced the first Economic Development District and blue economy initiatives. As founder of PSB Global, he advises strategic initiatives focused on sustainable impact.​

Executive Director of Fundación Hospital Pediátrico, where she has strengthened philanthropic support and increased donor participation by more than 50%. Under her leadership, the foundation has invested over $11 million in programs that impact more than 8,500 pediatric patients each year in Puerto Rico, expanding access to essential services.

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Executive Director of Corporación La Fondita de Jesús, where she has led initiatives that strengthen services for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable populations in Puerto Rico. With more than 32 years of experience in the public and nonprofit sectors, she specializes in leadership, social impact program design, and strategic planning.

Project Manager at Fundación V2A, she leads capacity-building initiatives for nonprofits in Puerto Rico with a focus on digital transformation and AI. With over 10 years in strategic consulting and as founder of Access Point, she combines technology, strategy, and culture to increase organizational efficiency and impact.

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With more than 30 years of multisector experience across the nonprofit, academic, government, private, and consulting sectors, they have developed an integrative vision focused on identifying opportunities across organizations and sectors, strengthening partnerships, and building community.

At RICCE, they have led communications strategies and created Conexión Solidaria, a space for connection and learning that promotes the exchange of experiences and fosters relationships among nonprofit leaders across different trajectories and areas of service, encouraging a more collaborative vision of the third sector.

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Carmen A. Torres-Rodríguez is the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of On Point Strategy (OPS), a firm specialized in grants management, compliance, and strategic consulting.

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With more than 20 years of experience, she has led the administration of more than $4 billion in federal and state funding, impacting more than one million people in its first year of operations.

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Mely’s legacy is defined by her vision of transforming funding into tangible impact, strengthening communities, and paving the way for the next generation of leaders.