Our Team
Most of our team came together working for Sustainable Harvest International's agroecology training program in Panama, spanning 28 years of dedication and experience.
The founding team, volunteered their time for a year to lay the groundwork for Mandela's launch in October 2025.
Since Mandela is taking a business approach to agroecology, we added an MBA with marketing and admin experience to our team.
Leadership
Florence Reed, CEO
Co-founder and lead entrepreneurship organizer, Flo has been a driving force behind agroecology training programs in Central America for over 34 years. She started with the Peace Corps in 1991 in Panama, but quickly founded Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) in 1997, increasing her impact from 25 families in one country to 1,300 families in four countries.
Daysbeth Lopez, Agroecology Manager
Co-founder and lead agroecology organizer, Daysbeth worked for nearly 20 years as one of the most successful agroecology extension agents at SHI, helping over 100 small farmers adopt agroecological practices.
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 takes on the role of agroecology advisor at Mandela after many years as an agroecology extension agent with Sustainable Harvest International.
Rubiel Perez
Rubiel is an agronomist from a family of coffee farmers who inspired his love for sustainable agriculture. He has worked with farmers in remote areas through several organizations, most recently, Sustainable Harvest International.
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.