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Experts on countries of origin by country

Aagard, Dr. Cynthia

Dr. Cynthia Aagard offers deep expertise on the structural failure of justice systems in post-conflict Latin America. Her unique combination of legal anthropology, field documentation, and regional litigation partnerships makes her a crucial voice in discussions around procedural invisibility and legal reform. Her work has helped define regional standards on gendered accountability, transitional reparations, and legal access for stateless and indigenous populations.

Occupation: Dr. Cynthia Aagard is a legal anthropologist specializing in transitional justice, gender-based exclusion, and survivor rights across Latin America. With nearly two decades of legal and academic research experience, she has coordinated justice access projects in over 20 countries, including Colombia, Guatemala, Brazil, and Honduras. Her work interrogates how formal legal systems exclude women, indigenous peoples, and stateless claimants, especially in post-conflict or authoritarian transition states. Fluent in Spanish and a skilled contributor to regional litigation efforts, she is a vital expert on procedural failure, legal invisibility, and community justice in Latin America’s most contested legal terrains.
Countries of expertise: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela

Garmendia, Isidora J. Ramírez

Isidora J. Ramírez Garmendia is a transnational legal and advocacy leader with an outstanding track record in human rights, sustainability, and grassroots empowerment. Her experience ranges from directing NGOs and legal firms to shaping policy at local and international levels, all while championing Indigenous rights, climate resilience, and equity. With multilingual fluency, cross-continental networks, and a proven ability to drive legal, institutional, and social change, Isidora is exceptionally well-positioned for roles in international justice, humanitarian governance, or global policy development.

Occupation: Isidora J. Ramírez Garmendia is a Chilean-Spanish lawyer and
internationally recognized expert in human rights, democracy, and
international justice, with over 17 years of experience across Latin
America, the Caribbean, Europe, and North Africa. She holds a
PhD (in progress) and Master’s in Human Rights and International
Justice from Universitat de València and is the founder of the
global NGO We Through the Wall. Isidora has led multidisciplinary
teams, advised municipalities and private sectors, and
spearheaded legal advocacy in areas including Indigenous rights, climate change, rural development, and digital inclusion. Her work is grounded in deep ethical commitment and intercultural leadership, aligning legal expertise with… Read more
Countries of expertise: Algeria, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Spain

Orozco, Juan Sebastián

Juan Sebastián Orozco brings a fresh, forward-thinking approach to the legal field. With over 10 years of experience leading legal teams and consulting for businesses, he has a proven ability to align legal operations with innovation and strategy. His leadership at Octalab and diverse experience across infrastructure, procurement, and corporate law highlight his adaptability, problem-solving mindset, and results- driven approach. Juan doesn’t just understand the law, he transforms how it's applied to support growth, efficiency, and business impact. If you're looking for someone who combines legal acumen with tech-savvy innovation and a client-first attitude, Juan is the kind of expert who will elevate your team and deliver measurable results.

Occupation: Juan Sebastián Orozco is a dynamic legal consultant and corporate counsel with over a decade of experience transforming legal departments into agile, business-aligned powerhouses. With deep expertise in legal operations, governance, compliance, IP law, and contract negotiation, Juan has led strategic initiatives across Latin America, enhancing efficiency, reducing risk, and driving business value. As co-founder of Octalab, he leverages innovation, technology
integration, and design thinking to optimize legal workflows and align legal strategies with business goals. His proven track record of improving operational efficiency by up to 30%, coupled with his strategic mindset and cross-functional collaboration skills, makes him a rare and valuable asset in today’s evolving legal and… Read more
Countries of expertise: Chile, Colombia

Paarlberg, Michael Ahn

Central & South American Expert - Political Scientist and Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, this expert focuses on diaspora politics and immigration issues. They have a rich background in both academic research and practical policy, having advised on foreign policy during the 2020 Bernie Sanders campaign. Their insights on labor and immigration have been featured in prominent publications, showcasing their expertise in these critical areas. Recognized for their impactful scholarship, they continue to influence discussions on transnational political dynamics and community engagement.

Occupation: An accomplished political scientist and associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, this expert specializes in the intersections of political behavior, diaspora politics, and immigration policy. With a Ph.D. in Political Science from Georgetown University, their dissertation focused on diaspora outreach by Latin American parties.
Their professional experience encompasses both academia and practical politics, having served as the chief foreign policy adviser for Latin America on Bernie Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign. They are also an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies and have extensive field experience as an election monitor for the Organization of American States in Brazil, El Salvador, and Colombia.
This expert has contributed to major… Read more
Countries of expertise: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Latin America