Team
Natün is led by an eight-member leadership team, the majority of whom are Indigenous women. In 2025 we implemented a co-executive leadership model, integrating an Indigenous executive director from the local communities and reflecting our commitment to local representation and community-led decision making.
The diverse and multidisciplinary team, predominantly Indigenous and from local communities, is based in Panajachel, Sololá, Guatemala.
Leadership
Alfonzo Cuxil
Director of Education
Mercedes Alvarado
Director of Operations & Finance
Elena Wason
Co-Executive Director of Sustainability
Juan Cumes
Strategic Threads Manager
Elmy Hernandez
Director of Economic Development
Ana Cumatz
Co-Executive Director of Programs
Jacquelin Yoc
Director of Impact & Organizational Development
Ilka Saloj
Director of Nutrition & Health
Program team
Nutrition & Health
Ilka Saloj
Director of Nutrition & Health
Program team
Education
Alfonzo Cuxil
Director of Education
Program team
Economic Development
Elmy Hernandez
Director of Economic Development
Finance & Accounting
Mercedes Alvarado
Director of Operations & Finances
Yolanda Julajuj (accountant) – Cristian Azañon – Froilan Sánchez
Community Alliances
Juan Cúmes
Strategic Threads Manager
Benjamín Meletz – Brenda Sicaján
Fundraising
Valeria Pinzón
Fundraising Manager
Pablo Di Paola – Anna Batz – Grace Cantú
Andres Fitch
Operations
Clara Luz Martínez
Operations Manager
Shouny Xingo – Manuela Cum – Santos Sacuj
Armin Miranda – José Lebón – Osvaldo Cuá
Board
Asociación Natün (Guatemala)
Mayra Choc
President
Isabel Cosiguá
Vice-President
Susibel Pastor
Secretary
Reyna Pretzantzin
Treasurer
Victor Lem
Member
Gerardo Guarquez
Member
Miguel Cholotío
Member
Francisca Ixcol
General Assembly
Walther Mendoza
General Assembly
Perla Rodas
General Assembly
Board
Natün Guatemala (US)
Ruben Imperial
President
Elizabeth Hagee Zambrano
Vice-President
Vicki Obenhaus
Secretary
Andres Bolanos
Member
Alfredo Guerra
Treasurer
Christian Boerger
Member
Jonquil Bertschi
Member
Emily Hendrick
Member
Adithya Jayakumar
Member
Robbie Harriford
Member
Jazmin Carrillo
Member
Gregg Dawson
Member
Preserving Maya Traditions:
Integrating Maya ancestral knowledge and practices into every program to guide sustainable, community-rooted ethnodevelopment.
Capacity Development:
Expanding local leadership, skills and capacity to drive long-term Indigenous led systemic change.
Community-Led Approach:
All programs are co-developed and implemented with Maya leaders, and other regional stakeholders, centering community priorities and decision-making.
Resource Optimization:
Strategic resource use maximizes impact and supports community priorities through accountable, efficient partnerships and processes.
Holistic Development:
Advancing interconnected strategies addressing root causes and strengthening education, health, economic, and cultural wellbeing.
Our Partners
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Natün Guatemala is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. EIN 20-8433997.
