For more than twenty years, I’ve built partnerships across Latin America, creating literacy initiatives, filmmaking programs in marginalized neighborhoods, and research collaborations that span continents. I’ve proven that world-class education isn’t a luxury good—it’s possible anywhere when you design with communities, not for them.
Deep Global Education Expertise
Founded and directed La Poderosa Media Project for a decade, managing educational partnerships across the US and Latin America. Produced 50+ community films with underserved youth. Won multiple national prizes from Ecuador’s Film Institute and Secretary of Culture for innovation in community-based education.
Academic Rigor Meets Real-World Impact
PhD from The University of Texas at Austin. Published in peer-reviewed international journals. But I don’t just write about education—I build it. As Dean at Universidad de las Artes, I lead the team that designed Ecuador’s first undergraduate program in Intercultural Arts Education and designed a Professional Certificate in Reading Mediation now transforming practice across the country.
Proven Partnership Builder
Secured competitive national grants and funding. Organized international conferences bringing together 60+ stakeholders. Served on national prize juries and government committees. I know how to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments.
Technical Fluency + Cultural Intelligence
Developed methodologies for low-connectivity, multilingual, low-resource environments. Traveled to 50 countries. Speak 4 languages. I can engage credibly with technical teams and translate possibilities into solutions that work on the ground.
Track Record of Innovation
Don’t just manage programs—I create them from scratch. Strengthen Ecuador’s children’s literature research ecosystem. Produced award-winning books and ethnographic documentaries. Curated exhibitions. Designed new academic programs. When there’s no blueprint, I write one.
MARÍA ALEJANDRA ZAMBRANO, Ph.D. 