Marlen Leon-Guzman

Experience

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  GJE Abogados

  Mar 1996 - May 2001

  Legal Assistant

  Legal assistant in counseling companies for installing foreign direct investment in CR. Investment attraction in free zones, intellectual property, corporate and commercial law. Public works concession contracts and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

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  Pan American Health Organization

  Sept 2001 - Oct 2001

  Consultora

  Elaboración de un estudio de los decretos nacionales sobre las enfermedades emergentes y reemergentes transmitidas por los alimentos

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  Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock

  Apr 2002 - Sept 2002

  Law Consultant

  Consultant. State Phytosanitary Service, Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica. VIFINEX-SIF-Republic of Taiwan Project. - Preparation of a study on the legal conditions for exporting organic products to the European Union and Japan. - Training of officials of the State Phytosanitary Service, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica.

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  USDA Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS)

  Jan 2003 - Dec 2003

  Law Consultant & International Law Compliance.

  Consultancy with the Ministry of Agriculture of Costa Rica in cooperation with the USDA. Planning an execution of the project for the "Enforcement Audit". Implementation of improvements in the national inspection system for approval of the Quality and Safety System by the USDA (official accreditation and certification). Management of the National Animal Health Service Bill.

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  Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo.

  Jan 2004 - Jun 2004

  Law Consultant. Agriculture, Sanitary & Food Law.

  Proyecto BID-FOMIN- OIRSA. Estudio sobre la legislación en materia de sistemas de inspección sanitaria de los países integrantes del Plan Puebla-Panamá. (México, Guatemala, Belice, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panamá).Desarrollo de sistemas para la acreditación sanitaria internacional.

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  World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

  Jan 2005 - Oct 2005

  Research intern. International Trade Department.

  Responsible for risk analysis studies for the definition of the regional free status of countries; researcher in Animal Welfare and international sanitary control.

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  Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la Souveraineté alimentaire

  Mar 2005 - Oct 2005

  Research Intern.

  • Drafted multi-year cross-border inspections from tier countries programs to achieve sanitary control. Based on a risk assessment approach. Direction Générale de l'Agriculture drafts used to adapt to the European Regulation.

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  INIDA - Instituto de Investigación en Derecho Alimentario

  Feb 2007 - now

  Private Law Practice

  International Food Law.With a deep understanding of the legal and policy tools needed to address our food system's health, environmental, and economic impacts, we can help you navigate the challenges of this critical area. From ensuring food safety and security to addressing national security concerns, we provide innovative solutions beyond traditional approaches.Some activities and results:1. Training for professionals in the food industry.2. Conducted an analysis regulations from the European Union, the United States, China, Canada, and Latin America.3. Online professional course on Food Traceability for Business .1007, professionals trained.4. Consulting lawyer and advisor specialized in the implementation of new regulations, both national and international, as well as evaluating the outcomes of their application. Assisting companies in complying with export/import regulations abroad. Preparation and development of public-private partnerships for the implementation of new national and international regulations impacting the trade of food products.Leave for academic activities (International Cooperation & Academic Vice-Presidency, University of Costa Rica) from April 2016 to May 2020. Show less

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  Université de Nantes

  Oct 2009 - Jul 2010

  Associate Researcher

  Doctoral study on the regulation of self-control processes by companies, in Commercial Law. Figures studied: self-control, audits, quality systems, certification, accreditation, intellectual property, and civil liability. Using forms of auto-control in risk management; developmental, sanitary, and environmental risks; in public health and food law. Legal consequences for companies, contracts, references, standards, and private norms.• Executed yearly activities in a European Project Lascaux, on Food Law, Security, and Safety. Concluded a repertory of studies in Food Law in developing countries, massive agriculture impact in wetlands, indigenous areas, women, and food security studies. In cooperation with Latin -American and African Universities. ERC- Nº230400, 2010 - 2014. Show less

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  Faculty of Law, UCR

  Oct 2013 - Nov 2021

  Strategic Leadership & International Affairs Expert, Universidad de Costa Rica (UCR)Strategic Planning: Guided 2016-2020 strategies, bolstering adherence to compliance, risk management, and increasing student numbers from 92,669 (2017) to 98,485 (2020).Transversal Axes: Directed efforts in climate change, risk management, disability, and gender equity, benefitting 65,880+ students by 2021.Key International Projects: Responsible for successfully managing and executing a diverse portfolio of international projects at the national level. Notable projects include negotiation and development with: Montpellier Erasmus program(Food Engineering), Korean Foundation, World Bank; King Sejong Institute Foundation, KOICA, JICA. Crisis Communication: Managed pivotal university research crises between 2016-2020.Collaborative Academic Efforts: Developed the CONARE Agreement, amplifying inter-university cooperation and indigenous culture inclusion.Digital Enhancement: Online platform, catering to 65,880+ students, especially during Covid-19. Introduced UCR Global, a platform reaching vast and diverse audiences.Development & Training: Cultivated 85 projects and groomed 61 academic leaders via the "Direcciona" program across national campuses.Governance & Compliance: Integrated National Law 8204, focusing on anti-corruption and anti-fraud, underpinned by transparent reporting.Team Dynamics: Nurtured collaboration across 60+ UCR faculties and divisions, emphasizing synergy and shared goals.Digital Transition: Championed the e-signature national law, substantially minimizing paper dependency in Vice-presidency operations.Global Recognition: Piloted UCR's commendable assessment by the European University Association, furthering international recognition. Show less Managed a portfolio of development grants and initiatives. Aligned with donors' and stakeholders' existing strategies on food security, violence, gender, education, and food systems sustainability. Enhanced political capital and visibility for partner institutions. Managed high-level political relationships to enhance institutional's and partner visibility. Coordinated to development of advocacy tools. She was overseeing assigned staff and using human and financial resources. Analyzed the outcomes and metrics of initiative programs, measured progress, and identified risks. Used evidence-based tools like perception surveys and partnership mapping. Press speaker.• Created a food law project exploring oncoming reforms in legislation; opportunities to include sustainability actions for decarbonizations in the food chain, quality water, soil circularity, regenerative agriculture, healthy living, affordability, and access to nutritious food.• Produced and released twelve programs analyzing alternatives for the sustainability of food systems, environmental commitments, technologies, and food trade. Show less Responsible for negotiating, monitoring, and executing International Agreements for education, research, and materials transfer. Attention and preparation of high-level international visits, strategic documents, diagnostics, and business plan updates.• Negotiated seventy-three international university agreements, programs, and frameworks in 2016. Guided highly specialized teams. • Prepared missions, board papers, and strategic documents for travel within and outside the country. • Attended visiting international missions and managed development partner relations to support raising funds for advisory and upstream projects.• Represented UCR externally, providing visibility and credibility and supporting key development partners through organizing/participating in high-profile events, visits, press interviews, seminars, workshops, and conferences.• Helped maintain good relations with clients, right sponsors, and donors. Develop and understand countries’ economic, political, and social issues well. Show less

  • Full professor

    Aug 2006 - Nov 2021

  • Principal Researcher

    Jan 2006 - Nov 2021

  • Vice- president for academics affairs

    Dec 2016 - May 2020

  • Development Law Researcher in Association with Univ. Laval/ Univ. de Montréal/ Univ.Nantes

    Jan 2011 - Dec 2016

  • Deputy Director of Internationals Affairs

    May 2016 - Nov 2016

  • Quality and Accreditation Director

    Oct 2013 - Apr 2016
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  Université Laval, Québec. Faculté de Droit.

  Sept 2015 - Dec 2016

  Principal researcher at Legal research chair in food diversity and security. • Collaborated with the critical forum for reflection. • Promoted legal research on sustainable food security. • Ensured transfer of knowledge to interested parties. • Trained a new generation of jurists in a field where knowledge is in high demand is the core of its mission. Investigadora post-doctoral de la Faculté de Droit de l'Université de Laval, en materia de Derecho de la alimentación, seguridad alimentaria, desarrollo económico, sistemas alimentarios y salud pública.

  • Principal researcher - Legal research Chair in Food Diversity and Security

    Oct 2014 - Dec 2016

  • Post-doctoral researcher

    Sept 2015 - Sept 2016
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  Fundación de la Universidad de Costa Rica

  Dec 2016 - May 2020

  Board of Directors, Secretary

  Guided and advised the Executive Direction on the Fund's operations. • Executed six hundred annual Foundation portfolio projects on average. • Advised on compliance with National Law of Foundations nº5338. Nutrered relations with donors, governments, international organizations, and corporate stakeholders.

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  Chaire DDSA

  Sept 2020 - now

  Principal Researcher

  . Chief coordinator of inter-university research initiatives as Jeonbuk National University and Yonsei - Seoul, South Korea. . Author of grant proposals and strategist (2024) in coordination with the Ministry of International Affairs of Canada-Québec, the Bureau du Québec in Seoul, and Korean public and private research institutions.

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  FAO

  Apr 2021 - Dec 2021

  International - Food Law Consultant. Development Law Service.

  Advised the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO in labeling regulatory compliance. Front-on-package labelling.• Authored a study case in Latin American countries. • Examined forty-five legal provisions, proposals, and cases using the FAO risk reporting approach. • Shared experiences and lessons learned with West African actors. Cooperation framework between developing countries.