Indira was raised by her grandmother in San Narciso village in the district of Corozal. She graduated with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. She is a lover of nature and farming. Her passion for agriculture was sparked when she began farming as a high schooler. Indira loves helping and sharing her technical knowledge with the people around her. Some day Indira hopes to become a sustainable organic farmer herself. No matter what she does, she will continue to help the people that need it most.

Extra credit: In her spare time, she enjoys reading and getting involved in community activities.

Emmanuel grew up with a single mother since his father died when he was 6 years old. He lives and was born in Ranchito Village, Corozal District. He started working on a farm when he was 13 years old in order to pay for his education. Then he became passionate in farming and completed his Associate Degree in Agribusiness. He worked for 7 years at the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association as an Extension Officer, where his job was assisting small scale cane farmers with technical advice in improving cane quality. He was also involved in social projects such as monitoring child labor with the International Labor Organization (ILO). He hopes to continue helping farmers while protecting the environment.

Extra Credit: Emmanuel is a team player, and believes that by working together as a team big things can be accomplished.

William is responsible for the community of Santa Martha in the district of Orange Walk. William grew up in a family that was always involved in agriculture, either in the sugar cane industry or the cattle raising industry. It’s where his love for agriculture came from. He spent weekends either in the fields or on horseback herding his grandfather’s cattle. William earned his associates degree in Agriculture Business at Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College, and worked as a cable and internet technician for six years. He is passionate about his work and enjoys assisting people in the agricultural sector, especially since farming is something he believes most people take for granted.

Extra Credit: William loves traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people.

Saul learned about agriculture from his father. His passion for agriculture grew as he grew up. When he finished his Associate degree in Agriculture Business, he joined the Belize Sugar Cane Farmer Association where he worked as an environmental field officer for five years. His job was to prevent sugarcane producers from using agrochemicals restricted in the sugar industry under fair trade standards. He later joined the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute as a field officer for research and training under the Farmer Field School program for seven years. Afterwards, he went back to school for an Agricultural Engineering degree from The "Instituto Tecnológico de la Zona Maya.” Saul values the importance of uniting as a team and showing love for others through sustainable agriculture.

Extra credit: Saul strongly believes that everyone achieves greater heights when we all come together for a common goal.

Alex has 24 years of experience in agricultural projects, rural development geared towards poverty reduction, and environmental conservation. His expertise includes using value chain approaches, building inclusive business relationships, and developing sustainable, profitable food production systems in harmony with the environment. He is comfortable working in different geographical contexts, with different approaches, themes and communities. He has led training processes, provided technical assistance, and promoted strategic alliances between sectors and between public and private entities.

Extra Credit: With roots in rural Honduras and a heritage tied to the coffee value chain, his personal and professional commitment to promoting rural development is driven by a deep motivation to implement climate-friendly, innovative practices and methodologies.

During Joel’s more than 15-year career, he has gained experience in diverse areas. He uses his expertise to foster harmony between humanity and the environment. Joel cherishes interpersonal relationships, and feels that they are more important than any professional goals. Through friendships with farmers and entrepreneurs, Joel learns from the people around him every day.

As a member of the SHI team, Joel works with field trainers and ensures the success of SHI programs.

Extra Credit: Joel loves spending time with his wife and four great daughters, who also love country living. Joel enjoys a good coffee with rewarding company, reading, and challenging projects. He feels grateful and secure knowing there is a superior being that accompanies him in his daily walk.

A native of the department of Intibucá, Frank Portillo is a trained agricultural engineer. He finds significant joy in sharing his knowledge with SHI’s partnering families to help improve their livelihoods. For Frank, his work is always rooted in fostering trust and collaborative relationships. Outside of his work with SHI coordinating the innovative Promoter4Change pilot project, Frank enjoys spending time with his family and going on long walks in nature.

Kristhel was born in Siguatepeque, a municipality in the department of Comayagua. Since she was little, Kristhel always admired the women in her family who worked in the field of agroforestry, work she believes honors Honduras’ name. Inspired by the women in her family, Kristhel decided to pursue an education in forestry engineering with a focus on community development and environmental conservation. Altruistic and empathetic, she has always aspired to pursue a career dedicated to helping others.

Extra Credit: In addition to spending time with her mother, sister, and grandparents, Kristhel enjoys swimming, traveling, and going to the movies every Sunday.

Wilmer was born in the city of Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán and grew up in the city of Santa Rosa de Copan. He has two Master's degrees in Business Administration and in Project Management, and also has two Bachelor's Degrees in Agronomic Engineering and Agricultural Business Administration. Most of his professional experience is related to microbusiness, agribusiness, rural development and local economic development. He is currently a father with three graduated children from university. Wilmer is supportive, compassionate, and likes working with people from vulnerable populations. It brings him satisfaction to be an agent of change.

Extra Credit: Wilmer is passionate about sports, including soccer and motorcycles.

Kellys Eneida Lorenzo was raised in a farming family in the community of Toro Bravo, district of La Pintada, where she attended primary school and high school. She continued her studies at the University of Panama where she gained certification in Diversified Secondary Education and her Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources and the Environment. Prior to working with SHI, she worked seasonally as an agricultural extension agent with the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA) in the district of La Pintada.

Kellys has significant experience working in agroforestry, with an emphasis on the cultivation of healthy food. Her dream has always been to work with an organization like SHI to train smallholder farmers to adopt agricultural practices that are friendly to the environment. Kellys is extremely excited to join the SHI-Panama team.

César comes to SHI with extensive experience in agricultural development, agroforestry, reforestation, and self-sufficiency farming. He has an engineering degree in agricultural development and has worn many hats throughout his career. As part of the SHI-Panamá team, César is looking forward to sharing his knowledge with partnering families while, in turn, learning from them. He’s excited and ready to contribute to SHI’s growth and the sustainable development of the country.

Extra credit: César’s life-long passion for agriculture was instilled by his grandfather, whose career as a farmer helped provide a better life for a large family. César was born and raised in the province of Coclé and currently lives in the community of Río Grande where he proudly grows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables on his land.