Our Team
Since Mandela adopts a business approach to agroecology, we incorporated a professional with an MBA and experience in marketing and management into our team.
Leadership
Florence Reed, CEO
As founder and entrepreneurial director, Flo has been a driving force behind agroecology training programs in Central America for 35 years. She began her work with the Peace Corps in Panama in 1991 and later founded Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) in 1997, managing to expand its impact from 25 families in a single country to 1,300 families in four nations. By the end of 2025, she left SHI to found Mandela, an independent agroecology company grounded in the lessons learned throughout her career; however, she maintains her connection with SHI as an ambassador and advisory board member.
Daysbeth Lopez, Agroecology Manager
As co-founder and lead organizer of agroecology, Daysbeth brings 20 years of experience in agroecological extension —including a long history with Sustainable Harvest International— and currently leads the agroecology advisory team at Mandela.
Liz Castroverde, Business Manager
Co-founder and lead business organizer, Liz is a dedicated professional focused on effective management, administration, and the adoption of digital tools. She has an MBA and 12 years of experience in strategic planning, technology management, and marketing.
Agroecology Advisors
Kellys Lorenzo
Kellys serves as an agroecology advisor at Mandela and brings many years of experience as an agroecology extension agent with Sustainable Harvest International.
Rubiel Perez
Rubiel is an agricultural engineer and comes from a family of coffee growers who inspired his love for sustainable agriculture. He has worked with farmers in remote areas through various organizations, including Sustainable Harvest International, and currently serves as an agroecology advisor with Mandela.
Consultants and Volunteers
Yasmin Quezada
As a Consultant in Agri-Food Management, Yasmin supports the organization in making strategic decisions, providing technical and operational criteria that improve the efficiency and sustainability of operations. Additionally, she contributes to the formulation and standardization of manuals and guides that strengthen internal processes, facilitating team coordination and clarity in roles. Complementarily, she promotes connections with potential key allies, institutions, companies, and sector actors, and also supports the management of opportunities for access to markets and external financing through the formulation and application for projects.
Sierra Violet
Sierra Violet has a Master's in Creative Writing and a Bachelor's in Microbiology, and firmly believes in using her skills for the common good. She supports the Mandela team by providing assistance in web design, copywriting, and editing.