Cynthia Barzuna (left) and Miguel Sánchez (right)
We are thrilled to welcome four exceptional individuals to the Board of Directors of the Guanacaste Dry Forest Conservation Fund (GDFCF). Each brings a unique blend of expertise, passion, and commitment to conservation that will strengthen our mission in Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG) and beyond.
Cynthia Barzuna Gutiérrez
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Cynthia brings internationally acclaimed expertise in negotiation, communications, and environmental leadership. She is the Global Deputy Director of the Ocean Program at the World Resources Institute and Director of the Ocean Action 2030 coalition. Cynthia has recruited and mobilized global leaders to develop Sustainable Ocean Plans that strengthen marine biodiversity conservation. Her financial acumen has been instrumental in securing critical funding for these efforts. She was previously the Deputy Minister of Water and Ocean Affairs for Costa Rica. She lives in Maryland.
Miguel Sánchez Someillán
Miguel is the visionary behind Peninsula Papagayo Explorers—widely regarded as one of Costa Rica’s most ecologically respectful tourism operations. His blend of entrepreneurial insight and deep love for the country's natural heritage positions him to be a vital advocate for ACG. Miguel has already shown how innovative partnerships, such as those with Horizontes and Papagayo, can support conservation through tourism. We’re delighted to welcome his energy and expertise to our board.
Jorge Alers
A native Costa Rican with deep family roots in Guanacaste, Jorge splits his time between Colorado and Guanacaste. A highly accomplished legal and financial expert, Jorge is the former CEO for Latin America and the Caribbean at Dentons and previously served as general counsel for the Inter-American Development Bank. His career has focused on supporting investments in emerging markets, especially throughout Latin America.
Javier Mateo-Vega
Javier brings more than 25 years of experience in conservation, sustainable food systems, and socio-ecological research. He is the Assistant Under Secretary for Research Programs & Partnerships at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, where he currently curates over 600,000 ACG specimens. With a Ph.D. in Biology, Javier's expertise lies at the intersection of local communities, governments, the private sector, and academia—making him a natural fit for our board. We are excited to benefit from his extraordinary knowledge and dedication to the region's biodiversity.