Co Founder & Chair

Erin is Chair and Co-Founder of the Australia Latam Emerging Leaders Dialogue, which she established with Borja Martel Seward in 2018, after travelling to G20 and APEC meetings in Argentina and Chile. Erin is a public affairs consultant who provides strategic counsel in public policy and international relations to clients from local government to the New York Stock Exchange. She is a Sky News Contributor in Australia and writes regularly on emerging economic and foreign policy developments in the Indo-Pacific. In 2021, Erin was appointed by Australia’s Foreign Minister to Council on Australia and Latin America Relations board of directors at DFAT. Erin holds a PhD from Monash University and has qualifications in social science and business.

Chief Executive Officer

Sam is an Advisor at Austrade, where he facilitates offtake and investment for Australian critical minerals companies. With a background in agribusiness, international education, and European investment, Sam brings a wealth of diverse experience to his role. Motivated by a passion for strengthening Australia’s ties with Latin America, Sam embarked on his volunteering journey with ALELD in 2021. Starting as a Latam Link Contributor, he took over as Director of Publications in 2022, and eventually assumed the helm as CEO in 2023, driving impactful initiatives and fostering cross-cultural collaboration. Sam holds a Bachelor of Global Studies and Diploma of Languages from Monash University, where he served as the Vice President of Oxfam at Monash and was the recipient of several scholarships including the Walter Mangold Trust. Outside of 9-5 work, Sam juggles a passion for singing, with continuing his German and Spanish studies, and sharing his love of Melbourne leading walking tours of the city.

Director of Diplomacy

Mariana is passionate about empowering individuals and organisations to unlock their full potential and achieve greater fulfilment and productivity in the workplace. Her approach centres around active listening and transformational coaching, guiding professionals through their journeys. She equips them with effective strategies and tools to navigate challenges, foster team cohesion, and embrace change. As a dedicated advisor and mentor, Mariana offers invaluable insights into people and change management, leadership development, and strategic planning. Her energetic and vibrant style inspires others to become better leaders, fostering a culture of continuous learning. Whether coaching individuals, facilitating business strategy workshops, or delivering sessions on effective communication, Mariana is committed to helping people and teams thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.

Director of Partnerships

Dominic has a passion for international business, diplomacy and cross-cultural collaboration. He has previously completed a policy fellowship with Global Voices, and has studied, worked and volunteered in Europe, Asia, the Pacific and Latin America, including living in Brazil. Through his role at ALELD since 2020, Dominic has represented the organisation in Canberra, Paris and Brasília at various meetings. This includes as a Master of Ceremonies for the OECD's Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) 'Youth side of productivity' webinar, as well as attending the OECD LAC's 4th Ministerial Summit in Brazil as a youth representative. He currently works in partnerships and student mobility within the international education sector, whilst volunteering as the Co-CEO and Co-Founder of the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Inc. Dominic holds a Bachelor of Business (Management) with Distinction, a Certificate IV in Dance Teaching & Management and a Certificate II in Tourism. He speaks English, French and Portuguese.

Director of Communications

Carmen is a Melbourne-based communications professional with experience across the non-profit and humanitarian sector. Carmen's love for Latin America was ignited for the first time in 2014 when she travelled to Central America on a backpacking trip. Two years later, she found herself relocating to Guatemala to volunteer and work with non-profit organisations and learn Spanish. After returning to Melbourne in 2021, she continues to refine her Spanish skills in her spare time (mostly by watching Bob Esponja) and is committed to helping build relations between her home country and Latin America. Carmen holds a Bachelor of Communication (Media) from RMIT University and a Masters of Documentary from Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne.

Director of Operations

Jon brings a decade of commercial banking and portfolio management at ANZ and two years of Commonwealth Government experience to the role, having lived in Canberra, Sydney and now back in Melbourne over that time. He’s currently working in the private finance space with Aquamore. During a career break, he set up his own business focused on event management, public speaking and podcast production; he also has NFP experience having led the Monash Marketing Students Society whilst at university. Fluent in French already, Jon has commenced learning Spanish and is generally fascinated by Latin American culture; he also spent time working in hospitality with several South American expatriates as colleagues and friends and has seen their passion first-hand. He believes the region has a huge opportunity to develop over the next 25 years and wants to help Australia contribute to – and share in – that growth.

Director of Events

Matilda is a dynamic professional with a passion for travel, learning new concepts, and engaging in lively debates and discussions with her peers. She holds a Bachelor of International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in international relations, both from Deakin University. Her first-class honours project delved into the development narratives of three South American nations, offering insights into the intricate interplay of social, economic, and political factors shaping their relationships with the IMF. During her university years, Matilda developed a deep fascination with Latin America, prompting her to pursue a Diploma in Spanish. Keen on honing her language skills, she spent five months in 2022 living and working as an English Teacher's Assistant in southern Spain. Matilda looks forward to combining her interests in Latin America and international relations as the Director of Events. She hopes to connect with like-minded individuals, educate others and strengthen Australia-LATAM relations.

Co Editor in Chief

Hannah is the Co-Editor in Chief for Latam Link, and is an experienced writer and political staffer with keen interest in Latin American affairs. She completed her Bachelor of International Relations from The University of Adelaide, undertaking a semester at The Pontifical Catholic University in Chile, where she undertook topics in Modern Latin American History and South American Geography. From this experience, she developed a keen interest in the region and seeks to challenge misguided perceptions of the region often displayed in the media. Her interests and specialisations include linguistics, international affairs, and grassroots movements. She also writes for Young Australians in International Affairs as the Latin America Correspondent, shining light on topics often not featured in the Australian news cycle. Her spare time is spent studying Portuguese and reading Latin American fiction and nonfiction to broaden her knowledge of the region.

Co Editor in Chief

Jesse is the Co-Editor in Chief for Latam Link. Starting his journey with ALELD in 2021, he has contributed four published articles, conducted two Spanish-language interviews for El Emergente, and represented ALELD at the National Day of Peru 2023. Outside of ALELD, he promotes student mobility in the Indo-Pacific as the current New Colombo Plan Alumni Ambassador for Monash University. He has recently completed an internship at the Australian Institute of International Affairs focusing on delivering the 2024 Taiwan Study Tour. Previously, Jesse has been involved with other youth-led organisations including the Australia China Emerging Leaders Dialogue, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, and the Australia Indonesia Youth Association. Holding a Bachelor of Science and Global Studies, Jesse majored in Ecology and Conservation Biology, Spanish and Latin American Studies, and Indonesian Studies. Additionally, he speaks conversational Mandarin after studying in Kaohsiung, Taiwan for 6-months.

Diplomacy Officer

Carmela’s roles range from international visits support to social media and event management. With qualifications in Business, Marketing and Communication, Carmela brings a unique blend of skills and expertise to her work. Carmela excels in diverse environments, thriving on the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from various backgrounds. With a passion for meaningful discourse and societal issues, she fosters integrity, inclusivity, and open communication in her professional interactions. Beyond her formal roles, Carmela actively engages in volunteer work, lending her logistical and marketing expertise to support cultural events. Driven by her genuine commitment to building connections.

Diplomacy Officer

Andrea brings a unique blend of skills and experiences to her role as a Diplomacy Officer. Hailing from Venezuela, she made Australia her home 7 years ago to pursue a master's in Project Management, and has since accumulated over 5 years of hands-on experience as a Project Manager. Her expertise spans project planning, implementation, support, issue and risk management, stakeholder engagement, resource planning, monitoring, and research and analysis. Beyond her professional endeavours, Andrea is deeply passionate about connecting with people globally and is committed to fostering stronger ties between Australia and Latin America. Her dedication to the community extends to her volunteer work back in Venezuela, where she empowered children in disadvantaged communities through educational support and technology. With a strong foundation in project management and a heart for social impact, Andrea is poised to make meaningful contributions to diplomacy and international relations.

Partnerships Officer

Joey has a passion for international development and relations, especially in the public policy space. She recently graduated with her Master of International Development at the University of Western Australia in December 2023. She is currently the company secretary for the ASEAN-Australia Strategic Youth Partnership (AASYP) which aims to build stronger ties between ASEAN and Australia through the engagement of youths in the field of ASEAN-Australia affairs. Having completed Western Australia's Parliamentary Program in 2023 and Co-founded Young Women Against Sexual Violence in 2021, her interests and skills align with the not-for-profit space by creating a safe space for communities locally and internationally - particularly those disadvantaged.

Partnerships Officer

Lena is a dedicated advocate with a strong commitment to fostering cross-cultural collaboration, youth empowerment, and social change. Currently, in her final year of high school, she combines her deep-rooted passion with extensive experience, making her an ideal fit for the role of Partnership Officer for the Australian Latin and Latin America Emerging Leaders Dialogue. As an international peace ambassador, Lena has represented her community on global platforms, advocating for peace, understanding, and cooperation among diverse cultures and nations. She has also recently been selected as U.S. Consulate and Embassy Youth Advisory Council. Her recent recognition as Youth Citizen of the Year for her contributions to regional communities in Queensland underscores her exceptional leadership and dedication to effecting positive change.

Partnerships Officer

Grace has diverse background in law, economics, and international relations, currently based in South Australia. Pursuing a Bachelor of Laws and Economics (Advanced) from the University of Adelaide, she possesses both academic foundations coupled with practical experience. As one of the Partnerships Officers, Grace seeks to strengthen relationships and facilitate collaboration between Australia and Latin America. Grace's commitment to global peace is evident through her role as a Global Peace Ambassador, where she actively promotes peace-building endeavors, locally and abroad, demonstrating her dedication to fostering international dialogue and cooperation. Grace is eager to leverage her experiences and networks to work towards a more inclusive and interconnected future for Australia, Latin America, and beyond.

Communications Officer / Website Manager

Johan is the director and co-founder of JV Global Corporation, a company that connects businesses internally and externally through marketing, communications, human resources, and crisis management consultations. He is a member of the Golden Key International Honour Society. Johan completed his studies with a Master of Communication degree at the University of South Australia. With over seven years of experience promoting products and services across diverse industries, including government, services, and digital solutions, Johan is proficient in creating effective communication plans, ensuring brand consistency, and generating content for various channels. He has demonstrated expertise in media monitoring platforms, organizational and social media communication, and digital marketing using different tools. Johan is a versatile and entrepreneurial professional with a strong PR background, skilled in building positive media relationships, managing crises, and consolidating relationships with stakeholders.

Communications Officer

Laura is Passionate about cultural exploration and global exchange, with a bachelor in International Relations from Konrad Lorenz University in Colombia. With a solid background in customer service within the financial sector, she has cultivated exceptional skills in communication and problem-solving. Over the past two years, she has had the privilege of living in Australia, where she has witnessed the cultural richness and opportunities this country offers. This experience has inspired her to seek professional growth opportunities and contribute to strengthening ties between Latin America and Australia. Her focus is on building strong relationships and promoting mutual understanding between different cultures and communities. She is committed to developing innovative strategies that foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between both continents.

Communications Officer

Karin is a Venezuelan creative thinker, performing artist and graphic designer. With an Architectural Design Diploma and a Bachelor of Communication. Have been working as an independent/remote Graphic Designer for startups and non-profit international organizations. Her strengths are designing logos, branding and creating social media templates. Her experience has given her a skill set teaching her the importance of communication, concept, use of color and passion for what she do. She is also strive to ensure the work is delivered above the standard expectation, with a few laughs on the way. Driven to make a positive contribution and impact through her work. And she always loves to keep learning about her careers, flamenco, other cultures and languages!

Communications Officer

Monica is a dedicated communications professional with a passion to celebrate and promote Latin American culture. As a strategic thinker with over fifteen years of experience developing marketing and communication strategies, she knows the power of storytelling to foster cross-cultural understanding in today's globalized world, prioritizing community and collaboration. Originally from Mexico, Monica is committed to supporting the Latin American community within Australia's multicultural society; knowing that purposeful communication connects people. As a communications advisor, Monica values the power of words, the impact of strategies across diverse media channels and the influence to create change and promote inclusiveness and diversity. She holds a Master in Marketing Communications and a Bachelor in Communication.

Communications Officer

Martina, originally from Argentina, has a degree in Political Science and International Relations. She worked in local politics at home, she volunteered at various non-for-profit organizations and also has experience in consulting in public affairs and corporate communications. As someone passionate about politics and positive change, will contribute from her experience to strengthening cultural exchange and relations between both regions.

Communications Officer

Dr Jytte Holmqvist holds a PhD in Screen and Media Culture and Literature in Spanish from University of Melbourne (2015), with a thesis that examines the cinema of Ventura Pons and Pedro Almodóvar from an urban, postmodern perspective. She has most recently lectured in film theory and research methodology at HBU-UCLan School of Media, Communication & Creative Industries and has chaired sessions at 4 global conferences. In 2021 she co-presented a paper as part of the virtual congress LASA21: “Crisis Global: Desigualdades y Centralidad de la Vida” and she has since written on the Chilean diaspora for Latin Stories. She holds double Master of Arts degrees in Spanish, is a qualified translator, editor and interpreter, is multilingual and has lived in 6 countries to date. She currently serves as President of the Hispanic Society of Victoria (est.1952 and the longest-standing community organisation in Victoria); an experience that opens up for rewarding networking opportunities and that she finds immensely gratifying.

Communications Officer

Carla is a seasoned political communications professional with experience leading electoral campaigns at the local, state, and federal level across Australia and the United States. Carla began her career organising in the U.S. sexual and reproductive rights movement and is passionate about supporting first-time pro-choice champions to run for elected office. Carla's grassroots work with the Latino community in Kentucky igniried her inital interest in Latin America and its diaspora. What began as a practical effort to communicate with a growing community and voting bloc soon evolved into a love for the region's culture and language. This interest lead Carla to pursue a diploma of Spanish at the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellín. Curious about the intersections of reproductive freedom and migration, Carla assisted NGOs on the ground supporting Los Caminantes while completing her studies. Now back in Australia, Carla works as the digital and media lead for a sitting Member of Parliament. Outside of work, she serves on the Board of Run For It, studies Portuguese, and enjoys listening to samba playlists on repeat. Carla holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of Melbourne and has furthered her education at the Graduate Institute of Geneva and Harvard Kennedy School.

Operations Officer - Strategy

Miguel is a High School teacher, based in Sydney! Born in Buenos Aires, he moved to Newcastle to complete his degree in Education. Specialised in English and Ancient History, Miguel has taught across a number of regional and metropolitan schools in NSW. Currently, Miguel is studying at Master degree at UNSW in Strategy and Security Studies. Miguel really enjoys the world of Academia, having completed an Honours research at the University of Newcastle, he hopes to continue his academic pathways by contributing to Defence and Strategic Studies. He has a passion for studying and learning new languages, and wishes it will contribute and futher engage in Doctoral studies. Lastly, Miguel enjoys engaging with and contributing to the broader community. He hopes his knowledge and professional experience will help strengthen relationships between Australia and the LATAM community!

Operations Officer - Alumni

Cecilia is an accomplished Public Affairs and Corporate Communications strategist, adept at navigating complex interactions with public officers, high-profile politicians, and executives from top-tier corporates. Her career spans the automotive industry and beyond, significantly contributing as Government Affairs Manager at global giants, like Renault and Toyota. In Australia, she was sponsored in PR and communications, which catalysed her through advocacy and strategic campaigning, paving the way for her to forge a career around her deepest passion. Committed to her work, Ceci excels in crafting cohesive communication strategies, fostering robust stakeholder relationships, ensuring brand consistency, and applying a keen operational perspective. Her knowledge of supply chain management enhances her team leadership towards strategic goals. With degrees in Political Science and Integrated Marketing Communications, she offers unique insights. Currently, she leads as PR & Communications Manager at myDRIVESCHOOL®, a tech start-up, driving education and road safety campaigns across Australia.

Operations Officer - Data

Ana is a Civil Engineer from Colombia, with 4 years of experience who's been living in Australia for 7 years. Currently based in Bathurst, NSW working as the Site Engineer for a Civil Construction company, which gave her the opportunity to expose her skillset in the Australian market. Ana is transitioning in her career from Site Engineer to Project Engineer giving her the exposure to sharpen her hard and soft skills, as well as her leadership skills. She will continue gaining experience on reporting, cost-tracking, budgeting and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders. She is very excited to be part of ALELD and aiming to become a key member of the organisation.

Operations Officer

Bibiana Moreno is a former international student and a dedicated professional who has held various roles at City of Melbourne, including in Tourism, International Education, and International Relations. Her diverse experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the city and its vibrant community. Bibiana offers a unique perspective in her role, given her firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by international students. With extensive experience in coordinating major events and initiatives, Bibiana has been instrumental in fostering community engagement and enhancing Melbourne'ss global reputation as a premier education destination. She has adeptly facilitated numerous international delegations, showcasing her expertise in stakeholder management and cultural diplomacy. Known for her deep passion for Melbourne, her dedicated commitment to service excellence, and her enthusiasm for volunteering, Bibiana is focused on driving economic growth and fostering vibrant, inclusive communities.

Events Officer

Riley is a Melbourne-based public servant working in project management for the Department of Defence. He has previous experience the container shipping industry working for T.S Lines Australia. Riley has also been an intern with the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA), engaging Australian and foreign diplomats to take part in AIIA Victoria’s diplomacy program. Riley holds a Bachelor of Arts (History, Politics and International Studies) and about to complete a Master of International Relations (International Security) at the University of Melbourne. Riley is passionate about fostering stronger Australian-Latam relations, and has a strong interest in international security, diplomacy, intelligence and defence technologies.

Events Officer

Emma is an Australian lawyer working international trade and customs focusing on enhancing trade compliance and optimization across a wide array of industries. Her work includes with LATAM businesses and the utilisation of Free Trade Agreements to ehnace Australia-LATAM trade relations. Emma holds a Law and International Studies degree, specializing in Chinese Studies, from the University of Adelaide. Her academic journey further boasts a completed Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies.

Events Officer

Jacob is deeply passionate about fostering international relations and cultural exchange, particularly between Australia and Latin America. With a solid background in government relations, he is currently the Media and Parliamentary Advisor to the Deputy Chair of the Intelligence Committee, where he plays a pivotal role in managing critical government committees, including the prestigious Australian-US Friendship Group. Jacob's extensive experience in navigating government landscapes and fostering diplomatic ties has equipped him with a unique insight and a robust network of government contacts. Armed with a Bachelor of Communications from Western Sydney University, specialising in Public Relations, Jacob is dedicated to leveraging his expertise to facilitate meaningful dialogue and collaboration between emerging leaders from both regions. His commitment to building enduring partnerships perfectly aligns with the mission of the Australian Latin America Emerging Leaders Dialogue.

Events Officer

Micah is a 3rd year student at the University of Sydney, currently studying a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies in the Politics and International Relations stream. He is passionate about international relations, particularly in development across the regions of Latin America and the Pacific. His passion for international relations has seen him develop his professional skills through a variety of internships and volunteer opportunities. These experiences have equipped him with the ability to work flexibly in a wide range of roles, and he hopes to continue to foster his skills with ALELD, to help strengthen the relationship between Australia and Latin America.

Events Officer

Patricia, born in Australia with Peruvian heritage, is deeply passionate about her culture and is committed to helping Latin Americans thrive in Australia. She holds a degree in law and social science and has over six years of experience working in the legal field, serving in various roles across government, non-profits, private law firms, and financial services. Additionally, Patricia has established strong connections within the Latin American community in Australia.