Meet our staff
Discover more about the passionate FDS board and team members empowering Latin American talent.
Board members
Board members at FDS are seasoned professionals who provide strategic oversight, guiding the foundation's mission and impact.
Alejandro Preusche
Impact Investor | Driver of Positive Change
Alejandro Preusche brings 45 years of leadership experience in both business and civil society organizations. As a former Senior Partner at McKinsey and a GSG Global Impact Ambassador, Alejandro has dedicated his career to developing ventures that uplift vulnerable populations in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Paraguay. His work, which focuses on territorial value creation, continues to make a significant impact in South America. Alejandro founded Almado in 2003, leading projects that combine innovation and impact investment to support underserved communities. He continues to advocate for sustainable development through various board roles. Alejandro holds an Industrial Engineering degree from Universidad Católica Argentina and an MBA from Stanford University. Married with seven children and 20 grandchildren, Alejandro remains committed to driving meaningful and sustainable progress.
Rupay Fernandez
Financial Expert | Corporate Strategist
With over 20 years of experience, Rupay Fernandez has mastered the complexities of financial management across companies in Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, and the USA. He has played a key role in major financial restructurings and negotiations, managing assets worth millions across industries such as banking,education, hospitality, and food services. Rupay's passion for teaching is reflected in his academic roles at various universities, where he shares his extensive expertise with the next generation of financial leaders. He holds an Economics degree from Universidad Privada Boliviana and a Master's in Financial Management from Universidad NUR. Rupay continues to drive financial strategies, with a commitment to learning and growth. Married with 2 daughters, he is convinced that life is like a game: you won't always win, but when you lose, there's always a chance to come back for a rematch.
Pilar Vigil Portales
Leading Health Expert | Advocate for Women's Reproductive Science
Pilar is a world-renowned medical professional with extensive expertise in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Human Couple Fertility. She holds a medical degree, is a trained surgeon, and earned a PhD in Biological Sciences with a specialization in Physiological Sciences from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC). Since 1982, she has been a professor at UC and completed postdoctoral studies at the Texas Institute for Reproductive Medicine & Endocrinology in the United States and the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Her work in fertility is widely recognized both nationally and internationally. Dr. Vigil has delivered undergraduate and postgraduate courses on affectivity, sexuality education, and reproductive physiology in over 30 countries across five continents. She is a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life, President of Teen STAR International, and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She is also a member of the International Women's Forum (Chilean Chapter), the Chilean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and the Latin American Association of Researchers in Human Reproduction. With more than 100 scientific publications, Dr. Vigil has received numerous accolades, including awards from Colegio Médico A.G. and Editorial Los Andes for her scientific outreach. Revista Capital named her Chile's most outstanding female medical professional, and she has consistently been recognized as one of the top 100 women in Chile. She is married and has 4 children.
Advisory board
Our advisory board brings together prominent leaders from diverse fields to offer strategic guidance and drive sustainable growth across Latin America.
Luiz Marcelo Marrey Moncau
Impact Investor | Strategic Advisor
With over 30 years of experience, Luiz Marcelo is dedicated to driving societal impact through innovation, leadership, and empowerment. His extensive work across Latin American and U.S. tech sectors enables him to create transformative strategies and lead organizations through actionable growth. Known for his ability to foster high-performing, accountable teams, he excels in enhancing decision-making and cultural development. Recently, he has extended his impact through advisory, mentorship, and purposeful investments. Key achievements include leading Microsoft's business model transformation in Latin America and implementing growth acceleration projects across the region as Chief Transformation Officer and Latam New Markets President. His expertise also includes optimizing competitive business capabilities and creating scalable, cost-effective models for sustainability. Through these initiatives, he has consistently helped organizations adapt to an ever-evolving marketplace while fostering a culture of growth and agility.
Team members
Team members are dedicated individuals who work hands-on to implement projects and empower Latin American talent.
Leah Pollak
Advocate for Sustainable Growth | CEO
Leah bridges ideas and solutions, transforming proof of concepts into scalable realities. Initially focused on Chile's challenges-such as water scarcity, access to quality education, clean energy, and worker training in the digital era-her expertise now spans 35 countries across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With 20 years of experience leading international public-private partnerships and non-profit initiatives, Leah collaborates globally with organizations like the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank. After leading Fundación Chile's foresight and business development portfolio and corporate affairs team, she worked closely with remarkable talent and two founding partners: the State of Chile and BHP. Today, she serves as CEO of Fundación del Saber, expanding her impact from Chile to the world. Leah earned her B.A. with distinction from Duke University in International Relations and History, and her MPP with honors in International Policy and Development from Georgetown University. Married and the mother of 2 girls, Leah draws inspiration from reading "Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls" every night.
Facundo Lopez
Business Enthusiast | Financial Manager
Facundo Lopez's career in business economics spans over a decade, with experience in both multinational corporations and smaller firms. During his 5 years at a leading U.S. oil company, he sharpened his financial expertise, and later applied these skills to smaller enterprises, where his impact became more direct. Facundo's drive for self-improvement extends beyond his career-he's an avid triathlete, continually pushing his limits in all aspects of life. He holds a degree in Economics from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, a Public Accountant certification, and an MBA from UCEMA. Facundo specializes in financial analysis, cost optimization, and business growth strategies. He is currently part of the financial team at FDS, where he continues to guide the organization toward sustained growth.
María Fernanda Ajhuacho Zurita
Dedicated Social Worker | Advocate for Children's Rights
María Fernanda Ajhuacho Zurita holds a degree in Social Work from the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba, Bolivia. She also has a diploma in Systemic Relational Intervention with Dysfunctional Families. With experience in donor management for entities working with vulnerable communities, she has also volunteered and interned, contributing to the implementation of 4 model programs: Creciendo Contigo, Niñez Protegida y Segura, PACTO, and Me Quiero, Me Cuido. Each of these models aims to maximize the capacities of children and adolescents while working closely with their parents to empower them, promote leadership, and raise awareness of their rights and responsibilities. As a social worker, she is immersed in addressing socio-economic, emotional, and other complex issues where support, skills, and empowerment are essential in guiding individuals through the problems they face and achieving viable solutions. She believes that, regardless of someone's conditions-everyone encounters family or personal conflicts, and it is crucial to support each other when such challenges arise. In her free time, María Fernanda enjoys being in nature and engaging in sports like soccer and wally. She particularly enjoys working with children, which highlights her patience and joyful character.
Experts
Experts at FDS are industry leaders who bring specialized expertise to drive impactful, innovative solutions across Latin America.
Tamara Novakov, Ph.D.
Mechanical Engineer | Innovation Specialist in Health Technology
Dr. Tamara Novakov is a seasoned mechanical engineer with global experience across Europe, China, the USA, and Chile, focused on driving technological innovation and business growth. She holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and has led multidisciplinary R&D projects in healthcare technology, notably in orthodontic and endodontic device development. At Mosaico S.A., she spearheaded strategic innovation as Innovation Assistant Manager, promoting co-creation with stakeholders. Dr. Novakov also teaches at Universidad de Desarrollo, where she mentors students in Technology and Business. Her commitment to health and wellness extends to her work with Fundación del Saber, where she manages the platform that addresses the critical need for mental and hormonal health resources for young women in South America. Combining her expertise in medical technology and innovation management, Dr. Novakov plays an essential role in developing and implementing tools that provide early detection and support for women's mental health.
Claudia García Gay
Leadership and Human Resources Expert | People-Centric Innovator
Claudia García is an accomplished HR leader with extensive experience across Latin American and global organizations. Currently serving as the Director of Leadership Skills Development at Adolfo Ibáñez University, she has held pivotal roles, including VP of Human Resources at Fundación Chile and People & Culture Sr. Manager at Samsung Electronics Chile. Her expertise spans talent development, HR innovation, and change management, with a strong focus on fostering inclusive and growth-oriented work cultures. Claudia holds an MBA from Cranfield University, UK, with a BHP Billiton scholarship and is a certified coach from Newfield Network. Fluent in English and experienced in multinational environments, she combines strategic HR acumen with a passion for developing talent in diverse settings.
Miguel del Río Vigil
Executive Director of Teen STAR Chile | Director of People at RHRI
Miguel del Río Vigil brings a wealth of experience in leading NGOs and scientific research institutions. Currently, he serves as Executive Director of Teen STAR Chile and Director of People at the Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI), focusing on impactful programs in sexual education and reproductive health. Miguel has successfully expanded Teen STAR Chile's reach from 1,000 to nearly 8,800 participants by 2023, with an emphasis on quality education and curriculum enhancement. At RHRI, Miguel has also been instrumental in securing research funding, fostering a skilled, diverse team, and co-authoring key medical protocols. His efforts continue to shape strategic initiatives that drive sustainable growth and community impact, working in Chile and Latin America.
Juan Pablo del Río
Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | Hormonal Health Researcher
Dr. Juan Pablo del Río is a child and adolescent psychiatrist with specialized expertise in reproductive and neuroactive hormones. Currently an assistant professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health at the University of Chile, he is also pursuing a PhD in Medical Sciences, where he leads pioneering research on hormonal impacts on mental health. His studies are frequently published in scientific journals and have drawn significant recognition. In 2021, he was honored as one of the 20 World Young Physician Leaders by the International Academy Partnership in Berlin, Germany. Dr. del Río recently won an award at the 12th International Meeting "Steroids and Nervous System" in Torino, Italy, for his groundbreaking research. His contributions were further recognized by the Chilean Society of Endocrinology and Diabetes (SOCHED), where he received a Best Endocrinology Work award for his study on hyperandrogenism's effects on socioemotional and brain development in daughters of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. His work continues to influence the fields of psychiatry and endocrinology, driving new insights into mental health and hormonal health connections.
Hugo Alberto Soto Silva
Surgeon | Researcher in Reproductive and Women's Health
Hugo Alberto Soto Silva is a surgeon specializing in reproductive health and chronic stress research, with certifications in infectious disease and emergency medicine from Universidad San Sebastián. He has made significant contributions to journals like Frontiers in Psychology and Obstetrics & Gynecology, including studies on prolactin levels in PCOS patients and the effects of chronic stress on ovulatory function. As a co-author of clinical guides and frequent presenter at national conferences, he is recognized for advancing women's health research. His recent projects aim to develop actionable insights into hormone-based therapies and improve health outcomes for women in high-stress environments, underscoring his dedication to innovative healthcare solutions.