# About Us # About Us ![decorative image](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2024-08/6.jpg?itok=bAmFOf27) ## Mission The David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) at Harvard, founded in 1994 by then-President Neil L. Rudenstine and alumnus David Rockefeller, is an international, university-wide center focusing on Latin America, the Caribbean, and their diaspora communities. It has offices in Brazil and Mexico. Our mission is to foster, expand, and leverage Harvard's research, educational, and convening capabilities within the region. We aim to contribute to a more informed, democratic, sustainable, prosperous, equitable, and inclusive world. [Leadership](#leadership) ## Our Values article ### Academic Excellence and Freedom We defend the independence of the academy, the pursuit of evidence-based knowledge and rigorous research, and the freedom of scholarly inquiry, teaching and speech for all. We recognize that most expertise on Latin America & the Caribbean lies beyond Harvard and that inclusion of varied perspectives, thoughts and beliefs is a precursor to academic excellence. We strive for curiosity, purpose and excellence for the projects we support, for the programs, services and events we deliver and for our management and administration. groups ### Responsible Collaboration We pursue creative and mutually beneficial collaborations to co-construct knowledge and projects as well as to promote constructive dialogue and shared learning with partners from the region. We foster our relationships with respect and work to build trust among our colleagues, our collaborators and our broader community; to provide transparency regarding our goals, processes and criteria; and to hold ourselves and one another accountable for our commitments. We do this while acknowledging the indigenous cultures of the region and histories of colonialism and imperialism that continue to impact Latin America and the Caribbean. diversity\_3 ### Diversity, Equity and Inclusion We see differences as opportunities for learning and encourage meaningful engagement with people from diverse cultures, ethnic backgrounds, identities, beliefs and life experiences, while addressing the systemic inequalities that permeate the region. We pursue deeper understanding, promote flexibility and strive for accessibility throughout our efforts, creating conditions for continual learning and growth. ## Thematic Initiatives Every 3 years, DRCLAS leadership prioritizes key areas of work that have significant implications for Latin America and the Caribbean, where we believe the Center’s resources, faculty expertise, networks and range of programmatic activities can add value. Our current thematic initiatives are: - Defense of Democracy - Crime and Violence - Climate Change and the Environment --- # Leadership [### Steven Levitsky ](/people/steven-levitsky-0) Director, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies; David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government; Co-Chair, Tuesday Seminar Series Steven Levitsky is David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government and Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard. ![Steven Levitsky 2](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/a612e9a4-898a-4506-ae0f-7cceaf6ee508.jpg?itok=Rw8THy1L) [### Sol Carbonell ](/people/sol-carbonell) [sol\_carbonell@fas.harvard.edu](mailto:sol_carbonell@fas.harvard.edu)Executive Director Sol Carbonell serves as the Executive Director, responsible for guiding strategy, programming, faculty and student engagement, fundraising and donor relations, staffing, and budget. ![Sol Carbonell](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Carbonell_Headshot_9_26_2023.jpg?itok=d851-mO8) ## Our Team Cambridge Office Brazil Office Mexico Office ## Cambridge Office [### Eugenia Garduno ](/people/eugenia-garduno)Associate Director ![Eugenia Garduno](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-04/Garduno050213937-004.jpg?itok=Z1c_e915) [### Tiago Genoveze ](/people/tiago-genoveze-0)Program Director, Brazil Studies Program ![Tiago Genoveze](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Tiago%20Genoveze%20headshot.jpg?itok=zZgxNupv) [### Lorena González ](/people/lorena-gonz%C3%A1lez-0)Finance and Administration Manager ![Lorena Gonzalez](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Lorena%20Gonzalez.jpeg?itok=SSM1QkW_) [### Niki Hrusa Castillo ](/people/niki-hrusa-castillo)Coordinator, Student Programs ![Niki Hrusa Castillo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Niki%20Hrusa.jpeg?itok=aZLhugGh) [### Paola Ibarra Deschamps ](/people/paola-ibarra-deschamps-0)Assistant Director of Programs ![Paola Ibarra](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Paola%20Ibarra.jpeg?itok=xdsJZa2N) [### Leslie Kress ](/people/leslie-kress)Executive Assistant to the Director ![Leslie Kress](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-03/DSC06664%20copy.jpg?h=bbbb6430&itok=tJj6XHZR) [### Maria López Portillo ](/people/maria-lopez-portillo)Program Director, Academic Appointments, Fellowships and Grants ![Headshot_Lopez Portillo](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Headshot_Lopez%20Portillo2.png?itok=00Mo15ni) [### Rachel Murray-Crawford ](/people/rachel-murray-crawford-0)Assistant Director of Student Programs ![Rachel Murray-Crawford](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-09/RACHEL%20copy.jpg?itok=GuXhVyAM) [### Gabrielle Patterson-Buchanan ](/people/gabrielle-patterson-buchanan) Digital Communications Consultant ![Gabrielle Patterson-Buchanan](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/2382LinkedIN.jpg?itok=dImEDpAc) [### Lisia Caldeira Robert ](/people/lisia-caldeira-robert)Associate Director of Finance and Administration ![Lisia Robert](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Lisia%20Roberts.jpeg?itok=ky1J9_h7) [### Vanessa Salas Fuentes ](/people/vanessa-salas)Associate Director of Communications ![Vanessa Salas](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/Screenshot%202026-04-13%20at%2011.12.33%E2%80%AFAM.png?itok=IIQNufs5) [### Jesella Zambrano ](/people/jesella-zambrano)Assistant Director of Events and Knowledge Management ![Jesella Zambrano](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-04/O2A5173.jpeg?itok=DqrIlvqX) ## Brazil Office [### Victor Arruda ](/people/victor-arruda)Brazil Office Fellow ![png](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-07/Victor_Headshot%20%281%29.jpg?h=6d9f6114&itok=twaeAxVK) [### Breno Carvalho ](/people/breno-carvalho-dos-santos-0)Finance and Administration Manager, Brazil Office ![breno](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Captura%20de%20tela%202024-09-18%20182417.jpg?h=86dae451&itok=eRgYzOnY) [### Timothy Linden ](/people/timothy-linden-0)Associate Director, Brazil Office ![tim](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Captura%20de%20tela%202024-09-18%20182454.jpg?itok=_vndjHEe) [### Alice Luz Ribeiro da Silva ](/people/alice-luz-ribeiro-da-silva)Program Intern, Brazil Office ![Alice](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2026-05/Captura%20de%20tela%202026-05-28%20113024.png?h=47c4eb30&itok=xWIdngDg) [### Helena Monteiro ](/people/helena-monteiro-0)Executive Director, Brazil Office ![helena](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Captura%20de%20tela%202024-09-18%20190324.jpg?h=fe2d9367&itok=joyML8Id) [### Camilla Roberts ](/people/camila-roberts)Program Manager, Brazil Office ![camilla](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Captura%20de%20tela%202024-09-18%20182538.jpg?itok=iUQCcNaF) [### Maria Lidiane Rodrigues ](/people/maria-lidiane-rodrigues)Communications Analyst, Brazil Office ![MLR](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-09/Captura%20de%20tela%202024-09-18%20184539.jpg?h=8bb608ea&itok=42bK25vQ) [### Sharon Ruiz Regino ](/people/sharon-ruiz-regino)Brazil Office Fellow ![sharon](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2025-10/Captura%20de%20tela%202025-10-28%20185008.png?itok=YzCPwyWm) ## Mexico Office [### Paulina Gonzalez Cussi ](/people/paulina-gonzalez-cussi)Administration and Communications Coordinator ![Photo: Paulina Gonzalez Cussi](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-10/IMG_9416.jpg?itok=TpGJHon-) [### Lorena Rodas Pineda ](/people/lorena-rodas-pineda-0)Student Coordinator, Mexico Office ![Photo: Lorena Rodas](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/2024-10/IMG_9409.jpg?itok=Wg-z8ZS0) ## Governance [### Executive Committee ](/executive-committee)The Executive Committee (EC) is comprised of senior faculty members who serve three-year renewable terms and meet with the Faculty Director and Executive Director each month to advise on Center policies and operations. [### Advisory Board ](/advisory-board)The Advisory Board (AB) is an essential source of guidance and support for the Center. Members of the Advisory Board, along with those from the Brazil Office Advisory Group in São Paulo offer vital advice and assistance. ## Program Leadership [### Andes & Southern Cone ](/andes-southern-cone-faculty-committee) ![view of Machu Picchu](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/machu-picchu-1031173.jpg?itok=8yamisCm) [### Brazil ](/brazil-studies-steering-committee) ![waterfall in Brazil](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/iguazu-800472.jpg?itok=DqyMWUhF) [### Central America & the Caribbean ](/central-america-caribbean-faculty-committee) ![hammocks in Guatemala](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/guatemala-889768.jpg?itok=e8Gv4lqv) [### Cuba ](/cuba-studies-faculty-committee) ![bridge in Cuba](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/bridge_in_cuba.png?itok=rijmmfzs) [### Mexico ](/mexico-faculty-committee) ![painted skulls in Mexico](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/jeremy-lwanga-aze50upjdp0-unsplash.jpg?itok=j835M56T) [### Art, Film, & Culture ](/art-film-culture-faculty-committee) ![painting on a brick wall](/sites/g/files/omnuum12451/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/drclas2/files/wall-2583885.jpg?itok=R0y-gGGX)