OUR TEAM
Board of Directors
Isabel Wright
Isabel Wright is Co-founder and former President of NEACOL, serving in this role for three terms. Isabel was born and raised in La Guajira, Colombia.
As President, in 2015 she launched NEACOL’s Annual Gala, the major fundraising event of the organization.
Her previous experience includes serving as a project associate at the Ford Foundation, in partnership with the NYU Wagner's school, helping the organization to frame its work in microfinance as a tool of socioeconomic development. She was also a researcher for the United Nations focusing on identifying and mapping international funding agencies for microfinance and a member of the UN International Year of Microcredit. Isabel started her career in the academic field as an academic coordinator for the Business School at Universidad Iberoamericana and a professor of Financial Analysis and Budget Management at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano.
Currently, she works in the Banking industry and she is responsible for acquiring new business relationships and managing a portfolio of Business clients. Isabel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.
She loves traveling and spending time with her husband and two daughters, Isabella and Gabriella.
As President, in 2015 she launched NEACOL’s Annual Gala, the major fundraising event of the organization.
Her previous experience includes serving as a project associate at the Ford Foundation, in partnership with the NYU Wagner's school, helping the organization to frame its work in microfinance as a tool of socioeconomic development. She was also a researcher for the United Nations focusing on identifying and mapping international funding agencies for microfinance and a member of the UN International Year of Microcredit. Isabel started her career in the academic field as an academic coordinator for the Business School at Universidad Iberoamericana and a professor of Financial Analysis and Budget Management at Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano.
Currently, she works in the Banking industry and she is responsible for acquiring new business relationships and managing a portfolio of Business clients. Isabel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master’s in Public Administration from New York University.
She loves traveling and spending time with her husband and two daughters, Isabella and Gabriella.
Danielle Jennings
Danielle has been involved with NEACOL since the first Annual Gala in 2015 and served as Treasurer of the organization from 2017-2019.
Danielle has over 8 years of experience working in the financial services industry. Currently, working at U.S Bank in Global Corporate Trust Services as a Collateralized Debt Obligation Portfolio Administrator. Prior to her current position, Danielle worked at Appleton Partners, Inc. as an Assistant Portfolio Manager in the Private Client Services group
Danielle was born in and resides in Massachusetts. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and skiing. Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Roger Williams University and minored in Spanish.
Danielle has over 8 years of experience working in the financial services industry. Currently, working at U.S Bank in Global Corporate Trust Services as a Collateralized Debt Obligation Portfolio Administrator. Prior to her current position, Danielle worked at Appleton Partners, Inc. as an Assistant Portfolio Manager in the Private Client Services group
Danielle was born in and resides in Massachusetts. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling and skiing. Danielle received her Bachelor of Science in Finance from Roger Williams University and minored in Spanish.
Juan G. Pardo
Treasurer
Juan G. Pardo
Treasurer
Juan joined Hillel International in 2010 as the Associate Director of Finance and Grant Management. Before 2010, He lived in South Florida, where he worked for a private CPA practice for over eight years as an accountant. Juan moved in 2000 from Pereira, Colombia to South America.
Juan earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Universidad Católica de Pereira, and, in 2014, earned his Master of Science in Accountancy from Bentley University.
Juan loves to be outdoors, and enjoys traveling, downhill skiing, mountain biking and loves to take pictures when traveling around the world. Juan lives with his wife, Lina, in Boston.
Marcela Danesh
Marcela Danesh is a finance executive with more than 25 years of experience in financial management, accounting, auditing, budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational leadership across for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as Controller at MicroCAD Training & Consulting and previously held finance and consulting roles in the consumer products, real estate, affordable housing, and biotechnology sectors. Earlier in her career, she spent more than 10 years with Colgate-Palmolive, gaining extensive international experience across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
Marcela has a long history of leadership and service with NEACOL. She was part of the organization’s founding team, served as its first Vice President, later served as President from 2023–2024, and has continued to support the organization as a Board member and volunteer. She currently serves on the Fundraising and Projects Committees.
She also has board and leadership experience with organizations including Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Conexión, FriendshipWorks, and ALPFA Boston. Marcela holds an MBA, Magna Cum Laude, from Babson College and degrees in Finance and Business Administration from Universidad Icesi in Colombia. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Maria Claudia Aguirre
Maria Claudia Aguirre is the co-founder and inaugural president of the New England Association for Colombian Children (NEACOL) and a distinguished Colombian-born leader who has resided in the United States for over three decades. At NEACOL, she established strong governance frameworks, contributed to every organizational committee, and played an instrumental role in engaging and integrating volunteers, donors, and sponsors to advance the nonprofit's mission. During 2024–2025, Maria Claudia led the Boston Initiative, fostering community outreach and strengthening regional ties. Maria Claudia holds a Doctor of Dentistry (D.D.S.) from the Universidad Autónoma de Manizales and a Master’s in Health Administration from Universidad del Valle (Univalle) in Cali. Early in her career, she directed the Puesto de Salud de Nápoles in Comuna 18, Cali, where she expanded primary healthcare services for under-resourced families, significantly enhancing community health access. For over a decade, Maria Claudia has volunteered with the Needham Public Schools Parent-Teacher Council (PTC)and built a strong support network for Latin American women in Needham and its surrounding communities. She also served as a Local Childcare Consultant for an au pair program in Massachusetts, supporting families and ensuring program compliance. Maria Claudia resides in Needham, Massachusetts, with her husband, son, and their dog. She enjoys traveling, reading, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends.
Committees
Mauricio Barrero
Chair, Events & IT
Mauricio Barrero
Chair, Events & IT
Olga Lopez
Co-Chair, Projects
Olga Lopez
Co-Chair, Projects
Olga López has more than 25 years of experience in education, family engagement, and community development. Originally from Medellin, Colombia, she has dedicated her career to building strong partnerships between families, schools, and communities, both in Colombia and the United States. Currently serving as the Family Engagement Specialist at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Olga leads statewide initiatives to strengthen family-school collaboration and support student success.
As NEACOL’s Project Committee Chair, she brings her passion and expertise to guide the selection and support of impactful projects that improve the lives of children and families in Colombia and Boston.
Catalina Lotero
Co-Chair, Projects
Catalina Lotero
Co-Chair, Projects
Sandy Madero
Chair, Fundraising
Sandy Madero
Chair, Fundraising
Daughter of a Colombian mother and a Venezuelan father, Sandy Madero was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Sandy comes to NEACOL with over 13 years of capacity building roles in a variety of settings. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Economics in Spain, she worked as an administrative manager and a business consultant for the private sector for several years. Seeking a career with a mission where she could apply her business knowledge, in 2013 she came to the United States to pursue an MBA in Nonprofit Management and a Master’s in Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University. She has been working in the NGO field ever since.
Sandy is currently the Director of Operations of the Right Question Institute (RQI), an educational non-profit focused on empowering low-income communities. At RQI she developed an organization-wide strategic plan, action plans for the different programs, and a tracking system for the organization services. Over the last few years, the focus of her work has been in building fundraising capacity and trusting collaborations with partners and funders in the field.
Maria Jose Vence
Chair, Marketing
Maria Jose Vence
Chair, Marketing
• Mauricio Barrero
• Margarita Escalon
• Francely Enriquez
• Mariana Silva
Mauricio Barrero, Chair
Frank Pinto
Tatiana Saenz
Adriana Echeverry
Ty Mitchell
Maria Scichilone
Christina Brooks
Juan Jose Robayo
Nicolas Mantilla-Aguirre
• Maria Jose Vence, Chair
• Xiomara Chica
• Sandy Madero, Chair
• Marcela Danesh
• Margarita Escallon
• Victoria Makrides
• Manuela Villa
• Andres Castano
• Fernando Diaz
• Carolina Restrepo
• Ty Mitchell
• Aaron Epps
• Akram Rafla
• Olga Lopez (Co-Chair)
• Catalina Lotero (Co-Chair)
• Marcela Danesh
• Laura Torres
• Marta Rafla
• Carolina Buitrago
• Maria Elvira Restrepo
• Frankly Enriques
• Claudia Urrea
• Mauricio Barrero, Chair
• Michael Horton
• Dominick Costanzo
• Diana Arias