Advisory Board

Dr. Gerardo González Escobedo

Dr. Gerardo González Escobedo is a renowned Chilean academic with an extensive career in education, museology, and humanitarian action. His professional life has been marked by a deep commitment to teaching, environmental preservation, and the development of initiatives that benefit the most vulnerable communities. With a special focus on inclusive education, he has worked tirelessly to create institutions and programs that promote social mobility and access to knowledge for all.

In his role as a museologist, Dr. González Escobedo has been a pioneer in designing interactive museums that aim to teach sustainable ecology through immersive educational experiences. His work in this field has enabled many people, especially children and young people in vulnerable situations, to acquire a solid ecological awareness and an appreciation for the environment. Additionally, he has developed innovative methodologies for adult education and science teaching for children, adapting teaching methods to the specific needs of each group.

Driven by his vision of accessible education for all, Dr. González Escobedo founded Universitas Militum Xpisti in 2013, an institution dedicated to offering continuing education programs for young people and adults. This university, which operates under the principles of UNESCO, seeks to improve the social mobility of its students by providing them with educational tools that allow them to access better opportunities in life. The creation of this institution is a testament to Dr. González Escobedo's commitment to inclusive education and his desire that no one is left behind in access to knowledge.

Dr. González Escobedo has also devoted much of his life to humanitarian action. He has implemented Spanish language teaching programs for Haitian immigrants in Chile, facilitating their labor and social integration. Additionally, he has organized food distribution campaigns for homeless people and developed art and sports workshops for children and young people in vulnerable situations. These initiatives reflect his deep commitment to social welfare and his desire to improve the living conditions of those most in need.

Throughout his career, Dr. González Escobedo has received numerous national and international recognitions. He was honored as an Academic Member of UNESCO in the Chair of Education for Peace in 2023 and was appointed the First Prior of Chile of the Military and Religious Order of the Knights of Christ in Italy in 2022. Moreover, he has been a member of the Advisory Board of Directors of Florida Global University, Miami, USA, since 2020, and was awarded a Doctorate in Education by the Academy of St. Bernard of Clairvaux in Italy in 2014. His contributions to education and social action have been widely recognized, reflecting the significant impact of his work on society.

Dr. González Escobedo is also a prolific author, with several academic publications that have served as key references in the teaching of sciences. Among his most notable works are the "Manual of Scientific Taxidermy" (1986), the "Manual of Scientific Entomology" (1986), and the "Manual of Taxidermy and Entomology for CIBEX" (1986), developed in collaboration with the OAS and UNESCO. These publications have been valuable tools for teachers and students throughout Latin America.

Dra. Judith Elena Aular de Durán

Judith Elena Aular de Durán is a distinguished Venezuelan professional with a strong academic background in the fields of education and mathematical sciences. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education, with a specialization in Mathematical Sciences, and has earned a Master of Science degree in Applied Mathematics. In addition, she has a Doctorate in Science with a focus on Research, complemented by three postdoctoral degrees in key areas such as Higher Education Management, Public Management and Policies, and Human Rights.

Throughout her career, Dr. Aular de Durán has played key roles at the University of Zulia (LUZ), one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Venezuela. Among her early responsibilities at LUZ, she was appointed Acting Director of the School of Education in July 1989 and later assumed the Deanship of the Faculty of Humanities and Education during the 1996-1999 period. Her focus on higher education led her to coordinate postgraduate courses and the Master's Program in Mathematics – Teaching Specialization in the Division of Graduate Studies of the same faculty from 1992 to 1996.

In addition to her administrative role, Dr. Aular de Durán has dedicated herself to teaching, offering courses in Differential Equations and Educational Administration in the Faculty of Humanities and Education, as well as Mathematical Methods in the Faculty of Engineering. Her academic leadership led to her appointment as Director of the Division of Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Humanities and Education between 2002 and 2004. Later, she was appointed Secretary of LUZ for the 2004-2008 period, marking the beginning of her involvement in senior university management.

Her distinguished career in university administration continued when she was appointed Academic Vice-Rector of LUZ during the 2008-2012 period. During this time, she also temporarily assumed the responsibilities of Administrative Vice-Rector and Acting Rector on several occasions, demonstrating her ability to manage the university in complex situations. Since December 2020, she has served as Rector of LUZ, a position she has held continuously to the present, leading the university through challenging times.

Dr. Aular de Durán’s impact in the field of research and education has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Among them are the Andrés Bello Prize in the area of Exact and Natural Sciences (1994) and in Social and Human Sciences (2007), as well as the Francisco Eugenio Bustamante Prize in 1992 for her work on fractional calculus in differential equations. She has also been awarded the Dr. Jesús Enrique Losada Prize and the Academic Performance Prize in 1998, among others.

Her work as a researcher has been rewarded with several recognitions in the Researcher Promotion Program (PPI), achieving Levels I and II in the years 2006 and 2008, respectively. Additionally, she has received the Research and Innovation Incentive Award (PEII) in Category B in the years 2011 and 2013.

Dr. Aular de Durán has also been honored for her commitment to education and the community, receiving the "June 27" Decoration from the Ministry of Education in 1988, as well as various recognitions from military, educational, and municipal institutions for her contribution to scientific and cultural development in the state of Zulia. Among her most recent distinctions are the "Order Dr. Adolfo D´Empaire" Gold Class Decoration, awarded by the Venezuelan Red Cross, and the Honorary Merit Button from the Legislative Council of the State of Zulia in 2022, in recognition of her outstanding career as a teacher and Rector of LUZ.

The career of Judith Elena Aular de Durán is an example of dedication and excellence in higher education, research, and university management, consolidating her as an influential figure in the Venezuelan academic field.

Dr. Luis Enrique Lichowski

Luis Enrique Lichowski is a distinguished Argentine academic and administrator with extensive experience in higher education and economic development. His academic background is comprehensive, including advanced studies in Economic Development at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (2007-2008) and a Master’s degree in Social Programs Administration from the National University of Misiones, Faculty of Humanities (1997-1998). Additionally, he has completed a Postgraduate Course in University Policy and Management through the UNIgestionES program, where he deepened his knowledge in critical areas such as strategic planning, academic and curricular management, and the relationship between higher education and the productive sector. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Higher Education Policy and Management at the National University of Tres de Febrero.

Throughout his professional career, Lichowski has held significant academic positions. He was the Rector of the Private Institute of Higher Studies of Misiones (IPESMI) from 1991 to 1996, and later assumed the rectorship of the Gastón Dachary University, where he served from 2001 to 2015 and then resumed in 2021, continuing to the present. His leadership in the inter-university sphere was highlighted by his role as Technical Secretary of the CIDIR Inter-University Network for Regional Development and Integration from 2007 to 2014, and as International President of this network from 2021 to 2023. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Rectors of Private Universities from 2014 until June 2016.

In addition to his academic work, Lichowski has held significant roles in public administration. He served as Secretary of Development Promotion for the Municipality of Posadas from 2008 to 2015, and as Minister of Industry of the Province of Misiones from 2015 to 2021. His influence on industrial and port development in the region was reflected in his positions as Chairman of the Board of the Posadas Industrial Park SAPEM and as Chairman of the Posadas-Santa Ana Port Administration. He was also an active member of the Federal Production Council and the Federal Port Council during his tenure as minister.

Luis Enrique Lichowski has been an active entrepreneur and creator of institutions that have left a significant mark on the Misiones region. He founded Lichowski Computación SRL in 1984, and later, in 1990, established IPESMI, an educational institution offering secondary and higher education. In 1997, he founded Gastón Dachary University, solidifying his legacy in higher education. Additionally, he co-founded several key institutions for regional development, including the Misiones Economic Development Agency (ADEMI) in 2003, the Central Region Development Agency of Misiones (AGEDEL) in 2004, the Inter-University Network for Regional Development and Integration in 2006, and the Argentine Federation of Industrial Parks (FAPI) in 2012.

Lichowski has also made significant contributions to knowledge and planning in his field through various publications. Among his most notable works are "4 Years in the Misiones Industry: Challenges, Progress, and Planning" (2019), "Logistics, Information, and Articulation in the Service of Production and Integration" (2012), and "New Models of Technological Parks in Response to the Growing Role of Cities as Innovation Habitats" (2013). His strategic vision and focus on technological linkage and university extension have been fundamental to his influence in the academic and productive sectors in Argentina and beyond.

The career of Luis Enrique Lichowski is a testament to his commitment to economic development, higher education, and innovation, establishing him as a central figure in promoting regional growth and inter-university collaboration in Latin America.

Esp. Laura La Rosa

Laura La Rosa is a distinguished organizational coach, consultant, speaker, and author with a strong background in organizational development and culture. With over two decades of experience, she has made a significant impact in the business world, leading strategic areas and training leaders and high-performance teams in multiple countries, including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Chile, and the United States.

Holding a degree in Industrial Relations, Laura La Rosa has focused her career on the training and development of leaders, as well as the creation of organizational cultures based on strong values. Her approach to comprehensive management by competencies, learned and developed alongside pioneer Martha Alles, has been fundamental in designing competency models that have been implemented in major companies such as Empresas Polar in Venezuela, where she led development and organizational culture management for over 18 years.

Laura is also a renowned coach trainer, certified in ontological coaching by Newfield Consulting and in leadership and high-performance team training by Ken Blanchard Company. Her training in advanced instructional design techniques and her experience as an international facilitator in dynamic learning methodology have allowed her to create innovative and effective training programs, which have been academically endorsed by Saberes Corporate University.

As an author, Laura has published the book *"El Mensaje de los Lunes,"* an inspiring work that promotes reflection and action for personal and professional development. Additionally, she has co-authored the books *"Mujeres Dreams Boss"* and *"Top Coaches 2024 Mujeres Dreams Boss,"* both Amazon Bestsellers in Mexico and the United States, which highlight female empowerment and the life stories of extraordinary women in the coaching world.

Laura La Rosa is the creator of the MAP'S Model "Effective Delegation Tools," also known as "Letting Go of the Monkeys," an innovative approach that seeks to unleash individual potential and strengthen teams, recognized for its impact on organizational efficiency. This model has become an essential tool for improving delegation and management within organizations.

As CEO of a Leadership School in Barranquilla, Colombia, Laura remains committed to training new leaders and coaches, sharing her knowledge and experience through training programs that have influenced the transformation of various organizations. She is also the Vice President of the Venezuelan Coaching Association (VENCOACH), where she plays a key role in the International Certification in Integral Coaching.

Currently, Laura delivers international conferences and works as an organizational consultant and coach for two major life insurance companies in the United States. Her focus on humanizing organizations through leadership and the desired organizational culture has been a driving force of transformation in the companies she has worked with, contributing to their success and sustainability.

Laura La Rosa's career is a testament to her dedication to change and continuous improvement, both in personal and organizational realms. Her legacy in creating strong organizational cultures and her commitment to training leaders and coaches establish her as an influential figure in the field of organizational development at an international level.

Dr. Paulo Andrés Falcon

Paulo Andrés Falcon is an Argentine lawyer and academic with a distinguished career in higher education and international relations. His solid academic background includes a specialization in Political Science with a focus on Argentina and Latin America, a specialization in University Teaching, two master's degrees—one in Higher Education Management and another in Diplomacy and International Relations—and a doctorate in Humanities, which he earned with the highest distinction, Summa Cum Laude.

With over 19 years of teaching experience, Paulo Andrés Falcon has served as a regular professor at the National University of Tucumán and the National University Guillermo Brown, as well as a Full Professor at the National Technological University (UTN) and the University of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. His teaching areas include topics related to higher education, sociology, and law. Throughout his career, he has also taught postgraduate courses at various Argentine universities, such as the University of Buenos Aires, the National University of Tucumán, and the National University of San Luis, among others, covering subjects like university management, educational institution administration, and human rights.

In the field of educational management, Falcon has held key roles since the year 2000, acting as a manager, advisor, and consultant in national and private universities in Argentina, where he has been in charge of academic areas, research, development and innovation (R&D&I), outreach and transfer, as well as university management and administration. He has led processes of planning, institutional evaluation, and accreditation of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various institutions and quality agencies in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2006. Additionally, he has played a central role in organizational innovation and management in public and private universities, both in Argentina and abroad.

Between 2016 and 2019, Falcon held significant positions in the Ministry of Education of the Argentine Nation, including the National Directorate of University Management and Supervision and the Secretariat of the Council of Universities of Argentina. In these roles, he was responsible for setting policies and criteria for the evaluation and accreditation of the Argentine university system. He also served on the board of EDUCAC, a space created by the Argentine Chamber of Commerce and Services to facilitate articulation between education, universities, and the business sector, starting in 2021.

Internationally, Falcon has represented Argentina in numerous university networks and international meetings, collaborating with organizations such as UNESCO, MERCOSUR, the European Union, and the OECD since 2006. He was the Argentine government's representative at the Argentine-German University Center (CUAA) and was in charge of the internationalization policy of the Secretariat of University Policies, where he oversaw the recognition of foreign qualifications. He also actively participated in the signing and monitoring of academic and scientific cooperation agreements with countries in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.

Paulo Andrés Falcon is also recognized for his academic and scientific contributions. He has been classified as a researcher in Argentina's National Incentive System for Teaching Researchers since 2006 and currently directs research projects focused on education as a builder of citizenship and the internationalization of the curriculum in higher education. He has published several books and chapters on higher education and is an active communicator in academic and journalistic media, with columns in newspapers such as Perfil and Clarín.

His influence in the academic and educational management fields extends to his participation in academic and scientific committees, as well as his role as a reviewer for national and international scientific journals. Additionally, he is a member of the Argentine Society of Legal Sociology (SASJU) and is part of the Special Consultants Board of the International Cooperation Group of Brazilian Universities (GCUB), among other significant positions.

Throughout his career, Paulo Andrés Falcon has demonstrated a deep commitment to improving and innovating higher education at both national and international levels, establishing himself as a key figure in the development of educational policies and the promotion of academic cooperation between countries.

Dr. Rita Elena Añez

Rita Elena Añez is a distinguished Venezuelan academic and university administrator with over 35 years of experience in higher education. A Doctor of Managerial Sciences, she has devoted her career to educating new generations and advancing university management in Venezuela. She currently serves as the Rector of the National Experimental Polytechnic University Antonio José de Sucre (UNEXPO), one of the most important higher education institutions in the country, a position she has held since July 2003.

Throughout her extensive career at UNEXPO, Dr. Añez has been a Full Professor, playing a pivotal role in both education and academic management within the university. Her teaching career began in 1986, and since then, she has been committed to academic training, human talent development, and the complexities of organizations, as well as public management—areas that have been the focus of her most recent research.

In addition to her role as Rector of UNEXPO, Dr. Añez has had a significant impact on the national university landscape. She served as President of the Venezuelan Association of University Rectors (AVERU) from January 2004 to January 2013, where she coordinated the collective efforts of rectors from public and private universities across Venezuela. During her presidency at AVERU, she led key initiatives to strengthen higher education in the country, promoting cooperation between institutions and defending university autonomy in a context of social and economic challenges.

Dr. Añez also had a prolific career before her involvement with UNEXPO. Between 1979 and 1986, she held various positions at educational institutions such as the Central University of Venezuela (UCV) and the National Center for the Improvement of Science Education (CENAMEC), where she contributed to the development of educational and research programs.

With a clear vision of the importance of human talent in university management, Dr. Añez has led research projects that address organizational complexity and effectiveness in public management. Her leadership at UNEXPO has been fundamental to the university's consolidation as a leading institution in Venezuela, focused on innovation and academic excellence.

Rita Elena Añez’s career is a testament to her dedication and commitment to higher education in Venezuela. Her influence and leadership have left a lasting mark on UNEXPO and the Venezuelan university system as a whole, establishing her as one of the most important figures in the country’s academic and university management sectors.