Lorena Mejía Rodríguez Email & Phone Number

Colombia

Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

o Winner of the John F. Kennedy Scholarship for the Master in Public Administration awarded by Harvard University, 2024o Winner of the Public Service Fellowship awarded by the Pforzheimer Foundation in alliance with Harvard University, 2024o Winner of the Fulbright scholarship for Agriculture and Rural Development awarded by the US Department of Agriculture and USAID “Cacao for Peace” Program in Colombia, 2023Research Fellow, Harvard Law School’s Ghana project, 2024-to dateVice President of Harvard Colombian Student Society, Harvard University, 2024-to dateCo-Founder of Women & Power Caucus, Harvard Kennedy School, 2024-to dateVolunteer Coach for Migrants' Job Seeking with a Gender Perspective, New Women New Yorkers, 2024-to date• Research Base: Behavioral Influence Factors in the Adoption of Agricultural Technologies by Farming Families within the Context of Armed Conflict, Intersectionality, Climate Resilience, Racial Justice, and Rural Development Dynamics in the Global South

Manizales, Caldas, Colombia

Chief of Party (COP) of “El Efecto Cacao” - Global Development Alliance between USAID Colombia, Luker Chocolate and Luker Foundation• Managed a 38 million USD portfolio of rural development projects financed by USAID and a private sector partner. • Led 52 projects with 45+ cooperative partners (USAID, USDA, PADF, among others) to enhance productivity among small cocoa producers and improve their organizational capabilities in municipalities prioritized by the national government. R//: Achieved a remarkable 29% increase in cocoa production in 2022 despite a 10.6% decrease in the same indicator in the country. General achievement of 104% of the projects’ key performance indicators. 65% of cocoa-growing families in conflict-affected municipalities achieved the minimum vital income, surpassing the extreme poverty threshold. 85% of families achieved an enhancement in their quality of life.• Led a diverse team of 34 individuals working on the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team, administrative and financial personnel, communications experts, regional managers, social & gender professionals, and technical assistants. R//: Achieved the Great Place to Work recognition for the Foundation with 56% of employees under my leadership, distinguishing it as the sole organization in its sector to achieve this national-level accolade for the first time.

Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia

• Managed the execution of 63 private sector and rural development projects while leading a team of 30 individuals.o Spearheaded interventions in over 70 organizations throughout Colombia and Ecuador, raising indicators from below 40% to efficiencies exceeding 70%. Increased RedBull factory efficiency in China from 61% to 74% by utilizing a project that transformed coffee mucilage derived from rural crops in Colombia.o Developed a hiring process based on the principles of social behavior, which was adopted by three prestigious headhunters in the USA and England for its efficient and quick results.

Bogotá

• Led 200+ factory audits across Latin America and China. Provided feedback on product development & design of purchase orders of more than 4000 products each.• Managed a team of approximately 16 quality analysts working in Peru, Mexico, Brazil, China, and Colombia, whom I recruited and trained.

Bogotá

• Managed the timely execution of 43 projects aimed at addressing the impacts of climate change caused by the La Niña phenomenon of 2010-2011, which resulted in widespread climate-induced displacement across Colombia

Cundinamarca Y Alrededores

• Spearheaded supplier development across multiple product categories, enhancing operational efficiency and supply chain performance.• Designed and optimized pricing policies, marketing strategies, and product promotions tailored to consumer behavior, competitive landscapes, and store category objectives.• Managed and led a team of 9 direct reports and 32 indirect staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and performance targets.

Colombia

• Oversaw project execution, including monitoring, closure, and ISO 9001 compliance for the EOG division, while coordinating a team of 12 field service engineers.• Led bilingual negotiations and strategic tenders in the Energy, Oil & Gas sector, securing key agreements with clients like Yaskawa Drives USA, Weatherford, and Pacific Rubiales. Managed purchase orders and import processes to optimize operational efficiency.

Bogotá, Capital District, Colombia

• Restructured the RIE program which was co-created by me with other leaders in 2006 while we were part of AIESEC (then known as Accion Social, a program committed to rural entrepreneurship development).• Evaluated 15,000 social startup projects focused on municipalities with populations facing vulnerable conditions and extreme poverty.

Cartagena, Colombia

• Coordinated successfully a project carried out in partnership with Royal Caribbean International, Nordica Marine USA, Aluship Polonia, and the Cotecmar shipyard in Cartagena.

Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia

• Achieved ISO 9001 certification without any non-conformities and received national recognition as a best-practice example for the private sector in Colombia.

Bogotá

Management and monitoring of 3 large corporate and government accounts allied to AIESEC (DHL, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Mayoralty of Bogota in the Social Action program). Manager of international cooperation with France, China and Puerto Rico. Successful implementation of CRM for Colombian network. Facilitator, trainer and speaker at national conferences specializing in sales simulation. Plenary facilitator for up to 350 people. 18 External Relations Vice-Presidents in charge.

Pereira

Market research, segmentation and target selection. Monitoring and development of partnerships with local entities. Successful implementation of CRM (Customer Relations Management). Monitoring performance appraisals 360 degrees. Project delivery selection, induction and training of membership. Facilitator and trainer at local conferences. Manage sales force comprised of 11 people and 3 area coordinators.

Master In Public Administration, International Development

Project Management Specialization, Project Management, Project Management Specialist

Engineer'S Degree, Project Management, Quality Processes, Logistics, Marketing, Production