Who we are
We are a collective of people with diverse experiences, knowledge, and strengths, all working from different sectors to support civil society organizations in Latin America in becoming stronger and more resilient.
Sitting at the table of La Sobremesa is
the team
Anca Matioc
Fundadora y Directora de La Sobremesa
Graciela Guadarrama Baena
Lideresa de Diseño & Futuros
Join us!
We will be announcing available positions soon.
Según el desafío que enfrenta sociedad civil,
Nos apoyan y aconsejan
What we do
Milena Pafundi
agenciapresentes.org
Argentina, based in Mexico City, Mexico
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see organizations with long-term strategy challenges, as well as internal communication problems, especially in regional institutions. Another challenge is the lack of funding for LGBT + organizations, also seeing the challenges that it implies for some organizations to constitute themselves as AS or CSOs. I am a communicator and project leader in communication campaigns and have worked on the ground for 12 years, as a journalist and as an artist.
Carla Bonina
surrey.ac.uk/centre-digital-economy
Argentina, based in London, UK.
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see at least three: large challenges to solve, a regional scenario of growing violence and political and economic instability, and great barriers to achieving financial sustainability of organizations. I address these challenges by being an advisor to governments, international organizations and start-ups on issues of government and open data, digital entrepreneurship and sustainable social innovation. I am an author, academic, and strategic consultant with more than 15 years of experience.
Alejandra Betanzo de la Rosa
Consultora Independiente
Based in Mexico City, Mexico
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see challenges in institutions and their leadership, which translate into too much work that threatens people's emotional health. I accompany organizations to co-construct explicit agreements that allow them to distribute power and work in a more self-managing way, in addition to generating collaborative dynamics, conflict transformation, emotion regulation and self-care. I am a consultant on Nonviolent Communication, Restorative Justice and narrative practices.
Justine Dupuy
fundar.org.mx
French, based in Mexico City, Mexico
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see that in order to achieve substantial changes, you need more than evidence and research – you alsoneed to build collectives and alliances. Building trust between the various actors of civil society is one of the most important challenges, especially given a political context that is increasingly opposed to dialogue. I work by building these links and alliances, seeking to include diverse voices. I am a journalist by training, specialized in transparency and fighting corruption.
Laura Lehman
https://www.innonet.org/
Based in Washington D.C.
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see inequalities within the system that limit funding and resources for the groups closest to the problems. What if locally led civil society organizations had everything they needed to carry out their visions for a more democratic, inclusive and equitable society? I work in learning and evaluation for funders and organizations that participate in the promotion and construction of social and economic justice. I have been a community organizer, teacher, and researcher.
Ana Gabriel Zúñiga Aponte
hivos.org
Based in San José, Costa Rica
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see a sociopolitical polarization to which the hegemonic groups are dragging us so they can continue monopolizing the exercise of power, in addition to an acceleration of inequalities. I work accompanying civil society organizations in their processes to reverse the impacts of disinformation and in the protection of civic rights in the digital age. I am an inveterate optimist, who believes in civic dialogue, in civic resilience and returning democracies to those who belong to the majority!
Adriana Peralta
Freelance designer
Based in Asunción, Paraguay
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see a challenge with contexts that are often violent and corrupt, like those of Latin America. In order not to lose motivation to do things as well as possible, it helps a lot to surround yourself with people who you align with, who also believe that you can do it, who inspire you, who encourage you, with whom you can have a few beers and relax and laugh a bit. I am an illustrator and graphic designer specialized in sociology. (And yes, I'm the designer behind La Sobremesa!
Eduard Martín-Borregón
poderlatam.org
Catalan, based in Mexico City, Mexico
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see Latin American civil society and I have two big questions for it: How can the impact of our work be measured and increased? How are can we generate opportunities within the sector to retain and attract new talent? Any project that I design always starts from a problem to which we can contribute based on what we know how to do well. The sum of the parts is always greater than the parts themselves. I am a data journalist, mixing data, narrative and technology.
Ana Joaquina Ruiz Guerra
Independent consultant
Based in Mexico City, Mexico
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see inequality at all levels and the closure of civic space. I work on the analysis and making of policies with a gender and intersectionality perspective, as well as initiatives that increase citizen participation. I am a believer that life is transformed with some technique and some politics.
Juan Pablo Marín Díaz
datasketch.co
Based in Bogotá, Colombia
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see a lack of data technology infrastructure for advocacy from civil society. I work creating accessible and low-cost data science technologies for social organizations. I am a data scientist and founder of Datasketch.
Jorge Flórez
globalintegrity.org
Based in Bogotá, Colombia
¿Qué desafíos ves en la sociedad civil latinoamericana?
I see challenges in clearly articulating the impact that we expect to achieve at the organizational and project level, including defining processes and tools to track progress on this goal, and using this evidence to improve and effectively communicate our work. I address this challenge through team conversations and use of methodologies that respond to the specific needs of these groups, their goals, and their resources. I am a facilitator of social change strategies.
More about me
Before founding La Sobremesa, I was the Matchbox coordinator at The Engine Room in Latin America and, later, at a global level. There, I accompanied dozens of organizations to more strategically use data and tech in their work. Before this, I worked for Ciudadania Inteligente in Chile, where I co-founded and led the Developing Latin America project, a regional network of 16 organizations in 12 countries who worked to open data in order to find solutions to social challenges. There I also co-founded the regional un-conference AbreLatam, a space to discuss innovation in open data and government. I have a MA in Development Practice from SIPA at Columbia University. I was born in Romania, grew up in the United States and in the last 10 years I've been working from Chile and Mexico for all of Latin America.
More about me
I am originally from Mexico (a chilanga, from Mexico City). I have a MA in Strategic Foresight & Innovation from OCAD U in Toronto.I am also co-founder of Futures Space: The Digital Home for Futurists, a global community of futurists and cutting-edge thinkers, where we learn from and challenge each other. Among my multiple ways of participating in “Futures”: I have been the co-president of the APF Futures Festival, whose mission is to provide an inclusive platform for the work of professionals in foresight, since 2018. I am also an associate of the IPD (Institute for Development Planning) based in Mexico City, whose projects focus on social development, where I assist with research, foresight and design.