Gabriela Franco Sustainable Tourism Manager Hometown: Cusco, Peru Gabriela grew up between Lima and Cusco, which is why she proudly considers both places home. As Awamaki’s Tourism Coordinator, she organizes and supports every aspect of our travel experiences, from logistics and partnerships in tourism, to guiding visitors and working closely...
Brisa Marina Ocampo Storytelling Coordinator Hometown: Lima, Peru Brisa was born and raised in Lima, where she spent her entire childhood, but from a young age developed a deep passion for her country and for social impact work. She studied Communication for Development, driven by a desire to tell stories that...
Eliza Wethey Impact Manager Hometown: Columbia, SC Eliza first traveled to Peru while studying abroad in college and fell in love with the Sacred Valley and Cusco. After completing her Master’s degree, she returned to Peru and spent nearly nine years living and working in the Cusco region. During that...
Jen Harris Sales Manager Hometown: Long Island, New York Jen fell in love with the Sacred Valley and its people during a 2006 semester abroad program in Cusco through an NGO. While volunteering, attending classes, and visiting ruins, she also found a special place in her homestay family’s heart. Forever changed,...
Sammy Pallat Head Designer Hometown: Princeton, New Jersey Sammy is our sustainable design intern. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, but attended the Massachusetts based boarding school Walnut Hill School for the Arts in high school. There, her love of fashion and design was sparked. That passion became fully formed...
Sr. Tommy Artisan Product Sewer Hometown: Chinchero, Peru Sr. Tomas was born and raised in Chinchero, Urubamba, where he still resides. He is responsible for finishing products at Awamaki, taking the woven textile made by our artisan partners and creating card wallets, handbags, pillow covers and more. He cuts materials...
Caroline Portella Fundraising, Marketing & Operations Coordinator Hometown: Chiclayo, Peru Caroline was born in Chiclayo and moved to the United States at a young age. However, she remained very close to her culture growing up. Whenever she returned to visit Peru, she would find a way to help give back to communities. Caroline started...
Martha grew up in the community of Rumira, and was a member artisan in one of the cooperatives that we work with for spinning and knitting. She first joined Awamaki about four years ago after hearing about the job opening from two other women who worked directly with us for...
Kennedy has always been passionate about women's rights and independence. She connected this passion with Latin America at a young age, when she went on a school trip to Ollantaytambo, Peru - where Awamaki is now based - in 2001. That trip inspired her interest in Latin America and international development, and set...
Alejandra Carrillo-Muñoz is a designer motivated by the intersection of art and culture as a way to generate social good within marginalized communities. Focused in the ethical, socially-sustainable, slow fashion sector, she utilizes collaborative approaches to partner with indigenous, weaving artisans in the creation of fashion goods. She is most...
Mercedes Durand Zamalloa Head of Women's Artisan Cooperatives Hometown: Urubamba, Peru Mercedes grew up in the town of Urubamba, about 20 minutes away from Ollantaytambo. She is the Head of Women’s Artisan Cooperatives at Awamaki and is in charge of leading most of our workshops in Quechua or Spanish....
Yovana was born in Lima and spent a couple years during her childhood going to school in Cusco before returning to Lima. Now, she has been in the Cusco area for about ten years but has travelled a lot, to various places for work. Although Yovana has changed her role...
