A Message from Natün Guatemala’s US Board of Directors
Dear Friends,
Over the past few years, Natün Guatemala has been committed to becoming an organization that partners with communities, joining with them to build on a community’s strengths, together bringing about a systemic and holistic change and growth for many. Natün’s commitment to this goal is demonstrated in its Maya leadership, with all departments being led by Indigenous staff; the strengthening and leadership of the Guatemalan Board, made up entirely of Maya leaders; and the community-led approach we have engaged. By prioritizing local, Indigenous leadership, we ensure that everything we do as an organization and all that we envision is based on the communities’ strengths, needs, and self-identified goals.
With this commitment in mind, it is our great privilege to introduce to you the newly appointed Co-Executive Director of Programs Ana Cumatz.
Ana joins Natün’s current Executive Director Elena Wason. Under Elena’s guidance, Natün has become a trusted partner in the community, working alongside local government, Indigenous ancestral authorities, and other NGOs who share Natün’s values. Elena and Ana, as Co-Executive Directors, will have two equal roles in a strengths-based and shared power model providing leadership across our US and Guatemalan arms of Natün. Ana, as Co-Executive Director of Programs, will focus on program and community strategies and actions, while Elena, as Co-Executive Director of Sustainability, will focus on international partnerships and fundraising, with both of them working collaboratively on key overarching decisions.
With Ana’s appointment and the implementation of a co-leadership model, Natün is embarking on a groundbreaking journey to deepen community involvement and amplify Indigenous voices, building on the organization’s past commitments in this area. This model will ensure that Indigenous communities are always at the forefront of our decision-making process, and that their wisdom, experience, and leadership are fully integrated into Natün’s work.
We hope that you, our supportive friends and donors, will join with us in welcoming Ana Cumatz to Natün. Your generous support is instrumental in achieving this co-leadership goal. Your thoughtful commitment and continuing investment is vital for the expansion and evolution of Natün’s vision for a truly community-led effort respectful of Indigenous rights in Guatemala.
Please contact us with any questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Ruben Imperial
President, on behalf of the US Board of Directors
Natün Guatemala
Kab’awil: Leadership Through Duality and Complementarity
A message from Ana Cumatz, Co-Executive Director of Programs
In Maya Cosmovision, the term KAB’AWIL comes from two concepts: Kab’, meaning “two,” and Awil, meaning “face” – together meaning “Two Faces, Two Aspects, Two Thoughts.” This refers to two forces that are opposite yet complementary, like day and night, heart of sky and heart of earth—both complements that make life possible.
Based on this principle of duality and complementarity, I joyfully join the Natün Association team as Co-Executive Director of Programs to co-lead processes that drive meaningful change and commit to community development from perspectives of equity, equality, rights, and cultural relevance. I trust that as part of Natün’s multidisciplinary team, together with the Guatemala and US boards, volunteers, and donors, we will combine efforts to collaborate in empowerment and sustainability processes in the Indigenous communities of Sololá.
I am a Maya Kaqchikel woman from Sololá, with a degree in Management Science and specialization in Positive Action and Gender Equity. I have over 20 years of professional experience strengthening local capacities and developing Indigenous communities, with emphasis on supporting and facilitating empowerment processes for women, youth, and Indigenous authorities.
My experience has focused on participatory development planning, strategic planning, citizen participation, and political advocacy in local decision-making spaces, and designing and implementing community development projects in education, economic development, health, and nutrition.
Through my life experience and walking alongside Indigenous communities, I know the reality in which we live—the large inequality gaps, lack of opportunities, deficiencies in basic health services, education, housing, food, the violence experienced by women and girls, and youth with great ideas for advancement but few real development opportunities in the country. I am aware of the great challenges that exist.
Now as part of the Natün family, I align with the vision and mission with motivation and commitment to contribute and generate significant changes in the lives of women, youth, and children in the diverse Indigenous communities of Sololá.
