Experience

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  White & case llp

  Aug 1991 - Aug 1992

  Legal assistant

  Supported attorneys with research on European Community, French, and US laws concerning discovery multinational tax structures, construction, international licensing and franchising, and banking issues. Edited and translated legal documents from Spanish, French and Italian to English. Served as an interpreter for client meetings. Co-authored four issues of the White & Case European Community Report.

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  Goldman sachs

  Aug 1993 - Aug 1994

  Latin american equities trading desk analyst

  Researched and analyzed Latin American equity markets and individual stocks as part of the firm’s new emphasis on emerging markets. Provided daily coverage to trading desk managers on Latin American stocks including research reports and spreadsheet analysis. Co-authored the Goldman, Sachs & Co. 1993 Guide to Mexican Equities.

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  United nations

  Jun 1994 - Aug 1994

  Global legal intern

  Selected as one of 50 participants worldwide in the United Nations’ competitive Global Internship Program. Worked in Legal Department, supporting a senior attorney with research on issues related to international trade and governance, including the establishment of the International War Crimes Tribunal.

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  Rogers & wells

  Sept 1994 - May 1996

  Law clerk & summer associate (latin america practice group)

  Supported Latin America Practice Group, executed assignments related to cross-border finance and international trade. Drafted documentation in connection with $20 million Euro medium-term note private placement of a Venezuelan company. Drafted reports regarding foreign investment and international transparency laws in Latin America and the Middle East. Researched and drafted opinion letters regarding merger between The Coca-Cola Company and BAESA. Drafted project finance agreements for power project in Peru. Drafted complaints for import litigation case on behalf of the Colombian government and memoranda regarding the Latin American telecommunications and cable industry. Show less

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  Jpmorgan chase & co.

  Dec 1996 - Dec 1999

  Associate general counsel

  As part of the firm’s legal team, worked on a wide range of corporate matters. In New York, worked extensively on global derivatives products including foreign exchange, interest rate and credit derivatives, advising clients on structuring products and drafting and negotiating documentation for a wide variety of counterparties in the Latin American region including sovereigns, government agencies, financial institutions, hedge funds, pension funds, multinationals and corporations. In Buenos Aires, advised US and Latin American clients on local trading, tax and foreign investment laws, reviewing and drafting documentation with respect to credit transactions and cross-border derivatives contracts. Participated in investment banking and private client transactions, establishing and managing relationships with local counsel, development of new trading products and cross-border financing structures. Was one of of the firm’s lead legal representatives responsible for establishing JP Morgan trading entities in Peru, Colombia and Venezuela. Participated in the creation of the first local master derivatives agreement in Argentina. Spearheaded the first translation and use of the ISDA Master Agreement and Credit Support Annex in Spanish and Portuguese. Served as the firm’s compliance officer for Buenos Aires and Santiago offices. Show less

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  Fannie mae

  Jan 2000 - Aug 2005

  Managed transition of COO and Vice Chairman to CEO. Advised the CEO on a wide range of business, administrative and community matters, including managing the philanthropic contributions of the executive office. Led several projects related to minority lending and outreach including authoring a strategic plan to increase Hispanic homeownership opportunities, the development of innovative loan-oriented partnerships with Latino organizations and the establishment of the American Dream Team Program™, a national mortgage industry internship program for minority college students. Company spokesperson on Hispanic issues. Show less Advised clients on a wide range of corporate issues and transactions, compliance and securities matters. Lead legal representative for derivatives, managing all documentation staff and responsible for leading the company’s derivatives counterparty risk initiative with credit and corporate finance departments. Part of legal team that led the company’s voluntary registration with the SEC and the launch of its Subordinated Benchmark Notes program. Lead attorney on preferred stock offerings. Part of debt marketing team to sell agency debt to South America and was responsible for first sales of agency debt to Peru and Chile, the creation of a multi-billion dollar portfolio for agencies by Latin American central banks and an initiative to market Mexican pension funds. Part of debt marketing team to establish company’s Euro Discount Note program. Completed professional development rotation with the Treasurer’s Office and Mortgage Portfolio. Show less

  • Director and Special Assistant to the CEO

    Mar 2003 - Aug 2005

  • Associate General Counsel

    Jan 2000 - Mar 2003
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  Smithsonian institution

  Aug 2005 - Feb 2008

  Director, smithsonian latino center

  Responsible for fulfilling the Center’s mission of fostering appreciation of Latino culture and heritage by sponsoring, developing and promoting Smithsonian public programs, in Washington and across the United States. Served as advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of the Smithsonian on relations with Latino communities and organizations. During tenure, increased the Center’s relevance and public visibility with important constituencies, forming relationships with over 40 Latino educational, cultural, media, entertainment and corporate organizations. Organized, produced and supported high caliber cultural and educational programming with Smithsonian museums and research centers, including exhibitions, lectures, public programs, film screenings, educational workshops, concerts, a Latin Grammy award-winning music recording series and a documentary film on vallenato music for Smithsonian Networks Channel. Show less

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  Pfo advisory group

  Jun 2013 - now

  President & ceo

  PFO Advisory Group provides strategic consulting to global foundations and companies, with a special focus on the Americas and public private partnerships. Our results-driven approach is to provide guidance to ensure execution of core business and policy priorities through partnership building. Current and past clients include Facebook, BlackBoard, the National Geographic Society, EDENS, Enterprise Holdings, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, the Hilton Foundation, Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos, the International Women’s Media Foundation, OneYoungWorld, the Inter-American Development Bank, CAF—the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, AngeLink Community Foundation, Let’sGetChecked and others. Visit: www.pfoadvisorygroup.com Show less

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  Facebook

  Dec 2013 - Dec 2014

  Senior policy advisor for latin america

  Worked closely with a cross-functional team to develop a public policy engagement strategy for Latin America, designed to help the company establish relationships with governments in the markets in which it operates. Developed and assisted in the implementation of a series of Facebook training initiatives for Colombia, Argentina, Mexico and Chile related to internet safety for youth, diversity, small business, e-government as well as other programs for lower income communities across the region. Internally advised Facebook executives on a number of policy issues related to the media and legislation in those same markets. Facilitated and conducted visits with top government officials from Colombia, Mexico, Chile and Brazil, including organizing a visit between Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos; advising on a successful high-profile engagement event with the President of Argentina; and provided advice on engagement with other Latin American heads of state. Served as a policy advisor with Telecommunications Ministers, Ambassadors and other high level officials in the Latin American region. Show less

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  The international women's media foundation (iwmf)

  Jun 2014 - Jun 2016

  Director of global partnerships & engagement

  Responsible for cultivating and leveraging key partners in the US and internationally (NGO's, funders, multi-laterals, etc) to develop strategic initiatives which enhanced IWMF's impact for women journalists across the globe. Spearheaded the entrance of the organization into Latin America through research, partnership-building and the creation of a proposal which led to a $5 million grant from the Howard G. Buffett Foundation for journalism fellowships, international reporting trips, digital news entrepreneur grants and security training in Colombia, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the US Mexico Border. Facilitated partnerships with several Latin American embassies, the Inter-American Development Bank, Facebook, Instagram, Revista Semana, Article 19, 21st Century Fox, Mashable, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, the United Nations Foundation, Al Monitor and others. Point person for driving social enterprise endeavors such as Reporta, IWMF's journalism security app as well as the IWMF Courage Awards and other projects to strengthen the organization's brand and reach. Show less