As a Kichwa Kotacachi woman from Ecuador, I have been deeply involved in community leadership and Indigenous-led initiatives since my youth. As the head of the Indigenous and Solidarity Economics program at Amawtay Wasi University, I am dedicated to integrating Indigenous perspectives into the study and practice of Economics.

My commitment to Indigenous self-determination in Economics and Development extends beyond academia. I serve as the President of the Board of the Santa Anita Credit Union Co-op, an organization committed to providing essential financial services to Indigenous and marginalized communities in rural Ecuador. Additionally, I am a leader in a network of Indigenous tourism businesses in Cotacachi. Through tourism, we empower Indigenous women and protect the biocultural diversity of our ancestral lands.

My academic background—an Economics degree from PUCE-Ecuador and a Masters in Social and Environmental Studies from FLACSO Ecuador—has equipped me with a systemic understanding of Economics, poverty, and development. I believe that true development for Indigenous peoples occurs when people and nature thrive, and when Indigenous voices are actively involved in shaping the education and practice of Economics and Development.