We are thrilled to announce our team at Cultural Survival is expanding! Our staff and Board are majority Indigenous and come from the various communities and regions we serve. Our growing team has a diverse set of expertise, skills, cultural knowledge, identities, and experiences and through their leadership, we continue to decolonize, Indigenize, and deepen our work. As an Indigenous-led NGO and U.S. registered non-profit, we advocate for Indigenous Peoples' rights and support Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures, and political resilience since 1972. For 50 years, Cultural Survival has partnered with Indigenous communities to advance Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultures worldwide.
A warm welcome to our new staff members!
Raquel Xiloj (Maya K’iche), Community Media Grants Coordinator, was born and raised in Guatemala. She studied Sociology at the University of San Carlos de Guatemala and recently participated in the 8th Edition of the Global Leadership School of Indigenous Women organized by FIMI. Most of her experience is in the project management cycle where she has supported different Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations in the identification, strategic planning, implementation, monitoring, and institutional learning about various projects aimed at preventing and eradicating violence against women and promoting political participation of women in decision making spaces. She is fluent in English and Spanish and is currently learning K'iche'. Reach Raquel at ana.raquel.xiloj@culturalsurvival.org.
Michelle de León, Executive Assistant, was born and raised in Guatemala. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International Affairs from the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, and is a Certified Translator (Spanish/English). Michelle worked at the United Nations for the Department of Safety and Security and then was an executive assistant for an Ambassador. Michelle is a coffee lover, yoga practitioner, and an avid reader. She believes that humankind is a universe of differences that are somehow intertwined. A keen interest in cultures and how they connect led her to pursue a career in international affairs and in translation. She has been working as a translator and interpreter for organizations, individuals, and institutions for over 10 years. Reach Michelle at michelle.de.leon@culturalsurvival.org.
Candy Williams, Human Resources Manager, is originally from the Dominican Republic and currently resides in Alaska, United States. She is passionate about racial equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as women's professional empowerment. She joined Cultural Survival’s management team after serving in Alaska at the U.S. Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development for four years. She is a Certified Workforce Development Professional and brings over a decade of human resources experience focused on organizational leadership, talent acquisition, and performance management. She studied Business Administration and Psychology and is presently pursuing an Executive Human Resources Management Certification at Cornell University. She is fluent in English and Spanish. Contact Candy at candy.williams@culturalsurvival.org.
