I’m an organizational diplomat and systems architect who draws on my Kañari and Western upbringing to move with clarity and purpose.

As a visionary, organizer, and C-Suite professional, I am precise and practical to turn intention into impact and order into beauty. I don't just act; I refine.

CURRENT ENGAGEMENTS

  • Upcoming & Published Work

    June 2025

    Published on Swamphen, a journal of cultural ecology of the University of Sydney, Australia

    Keynote Essay : Indigenous Embassy

    As Indigenous Peoples, we are afflicted in modernity by the barriers and borders of transgressive cultures and imperial bullies. Our own orientation to boundaries is incompatible with these oppressive constructs because, for us, borders are dynamic, semipermeable sites of relational increase. We will share this orientation from our unique experience of emergent embassy rituals between Cañari and Kara::Kichwa of the Andes::Amazon and Bama/Murri of Australia’s northeast (see Jacobs & Narváez; Yunkaporta).

    Fall 2025

    Emergence Magazine

    “Seeds and Structures”

    By Tyson Yunkaporta, Gabriela Romero, and Stephanie Beck

  • Embassy in Process

    Cross-cultural and intellectual partnerships that are shaping my perspectives and work.

    Tyson Yunkaporta Embassy

    Role: Embassy Collaborator

    I've been engaged in meaningful embassy with author and dear friend, Tyson Yunkaporta since 2023. This collaboration, which originated through the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab, has evolved into a journey of ceremonial practice and lateral thinking. Our work has created rich webs of exchange and mutual learning through patient and deliberate engagement, informing contemporary challenges through cross-oceanic dialogue.

  • President & Executive Director

    2023- Present

    La Fundación Biocorredores Amazónicos

    Co-led the establishment of la Fundación Biocorredores Amazonicos (BioAm) in Ecuador, successfully securing legal status in 2023. I obtained the initial seed funding that united a diverse board of directors comprising Indigenous leaders, urban professionals, and community advocates. We intentionally anchored our work in Andean modalities, ceremony, and development as the foundation for all initiatives. Our current focus is on elevating Indigenous voices in academia and creating "Corredores Silvestres" / "Wild Corridors" - establishing strategic connectivity sanctuaries throughout the Andes.

Enduring Practices

Education & Experience

  • Cañar Ecuador 1970's

    Education

    M.A., Political Science; Policy & Development

    City University of New York; Brooklyn College (2013)

    B.A., Political Science; International Relations

    Trinity College, CT (2010)

    My education began at home, guided by my family, teachings and the movements of my grandparents.

  • 2021-2024

    Executive Director

    The Andes —Amazon Conservancy

    Ecuador, S.A

    Led a $3M p/y connectivity conservation program engaging 175+ communities across four Amazon Indigenous nations, overseeing all aspects of implementation, resource allocation, and Indigenous Nation engagement.

    Created operational frameworks integrating Andean practices with goals while ensuring legal compliance across nations and the state.

    Invited to communities, over 6 months of field engagement, building relationships and overseeing programs across multiple nations.

    Implemented Ministry-approved emotional intelligence policy program enhancing leadership and nation-building capacity.

    Cultivated partnerships and diplomatic ties for program support.

  • 2017-2021

    Title: Founder & Systems Consulting

    NY & Massachusetts

    Crafted Hybrid and Andean modalities in policy creation, governance, and systems structuring, integrating traditional wisdom with modern frameworks for culturally-responsive results.

    Secured funding to design and develop educational initiatives showcasing the value of traditional knowledge systems in public and private education.

    Successfully designed and implemented a 30-week program across Massachusetts schools, engaging more than 100 students.

  • 2007, 2011- 2015

    Investment Recovery Coordinator

    The Grow America Fund

    NYC

    Streamlined a $3-4 million fund recovery process, liaised with the US Federal Reserve.

    Achieved 98% recovery rate with systematic fund management.

    Developed archived and recovery protocols for 300+ portfolios, over $50M.

    Led documentation architecture, database design and file systems.

Portfolio

The following Portfolio case studies honor projects and experiences that ended, encountered challanges, and transformed into other variations and dances.

Diplomatic outreach and relationship-building efforts often incorporate complex interactions between cultures, communities, historical contexts, and past traumas. These case studies are examined within the context of:

  1. natural cycles referred to as "Begen-endings" (The constant mark of some - thing, as End-ing. And the Begin-ing of something else.) (From Maestra Therese Jornlin)

  2. establishing appropriate protocols for engagement between non-Western communities and women, Indigenous, and rural leadership

  • date: 2022-2024

    key take away: We will continue to sit and invite all into ethical spaces where we can grow in the web of inter-relatedness and accountability.

    When allies attempt to bridge with those oppressed by systemic inequities, they often fail to develop functional, truly representative-led enterprises. Working with Indigenous Peoples and other oppressed groups requires the unpacking of inherited power imbalances and aggressions. These dynamics require thoughtful, respectful processes to ensure productive outcomes. Individuals in positions of privilege must demonstrate advanced emotional intelligence and a willingness to examine their own biases, particularly as traditional power structures are reconfigured.

    Key learnings from this project: recognizing the danger of tokenism, establishing appropriate cross-cultural communication protocols, knowledge extraction, implementing transparent financial agreements, and cultivating resilience.

    the indigenous commons project, usa.

  • date: 2021-2024

    key take away: center relationship and ceremony as organizational intent

    This organization operated in both the United States and specific regions of Ecuador. The initiative successfully scaled, achieving both financial sustainability and positive community impact. However, the partnership encountered significant challenges related to accountability frameworks, financial governance, and administrative protocols in this North-South collaboration.

    Critical insights gained from this initiative underscore the importance of establishing robust accountability mechanisms and meticulously addressing international diplomatic protocols when developing cross-border collaborative partnerships.

    the andes amazon conservancy, usa.

  • date: Ongoing

    These begin-endings have fostered resilience. I've gained deeper insights into personal growth and collective duty through these transitions. Working with allies- both genuine and not- has taught me boundary-setting, expectation management, and cross-cultural negotiation. These collaborations reveal how privilege operates even in equity-focused spaces and reveals opportunities for true embassy and engagement. True allyship remains a work in progress—requiring reflection, dialogue, and willingness to reshape power dynamics for authentic partnership.

Similar to learning any art, "failing fast and forward" is necessary and natural.

This framework may be interpreted as an analytical perspective rather than critique. If you are called to research this further , I recommend consulting the resources developed by Algoma University (Canada) and Deakin University (Australia): "Protocols for Non-Indigenous People Working with Indigenous Knowledge."

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My career and life spans from the Amazon rainforest, the Andean highlands, France, New England prep schools, and New York City NGO headquarters.

So far, in this walk, I believe that there isn’t a single policy or government initiative that can fix our global challenges.

Real change happens when individuals are willing to sit with discomfort, hold themselves accountable to their teams, and reclaim their potential that in turn (ayni) strengthens all.

Whether looking at governance challenges, financial systems, or relationship dynamics, weaving new networks requires fresh narratives about rights, resources, and our identity within the world.