25 People
ANDES Celebrates 25 Years
As part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, ANDES would like to thank everyone who has contributed to institutional development, collaborative research and knowledge sharing. We appreciate the encouragement of partners along the way and look forward to continuing our partnerships as we move forward with the implementation of Yachay Kuychi Pluriversity. There are too many people to name here, but we have chosen to highlight 25 influencers from ANDES's 25-year history.
Meet the co-founders of ANDES
Alejandro Argumedo and Cesar Argumedo grew up in the center of the Andes in Peru with their 4 brothers. After high school, Alejandro studied agronomy at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and Cesar studied zootechnology at the San Antonio Abad University of Cusco, Peru.
In 1995, Alejandro and Cesar registered the Association for Nature and Development Sustainable (ANDES) in Cusco. During the first years, the organization operated with funds very limited and understaffed. However, during this period important relationships that led to the establishment of the iconic Potato Park by 6 communities indigenous people with the ANDES guide. This work continues to provide important lessons and a model for most of the current work in organizations.
Alejandro Argumedo
He recently left his position as Director at ANDES to occupy a position at the Swift Foundation. Continue to provide leadership to ANDES as a member of the Board of Directors.
Cesar Argumedo
He continues to work as Director of ANDES
ANDES's management team also includes two long-time associates.
Tammy Stenner
He has played a support role for ANDES directors since the beginning. She is also the coordinator of the Yachay Kuychi Pluriversity Program.
Carolina Ichillumpa
She joined ANDES in 2002 as an accountant. She is the Head of Administration and finance..
ANDES 'careful and transparent management of finances and assets infuses trust in partners. This important work is currently supported by
Ruth Zuloaga - Accountant
Ysabel Moron - Office Assistant
Arascelly Heredia - TIC Specialist
Enrque Granados - Logistics manager
ANDES focuses on research with and for indigenous communities. Our staff field includes experts with university education and knowledge holders traditional, who bring diverse perspectives and experiences to complex problems. These experts currently include:
Jessica Villacorta - Agronomist
Ricardo Pacco Chipa - Field coordinator
Mariano Sutta Apocusi - Local expert
Lino Manani Huarka - Potato Guardian
Aniceto Ccoyo Ccoyo - Local expert
Victor Oblitas - Local expert
Cass Madden - Researcher
The Board of Directors has international representation, with well-qualified people and experienced professionals who provide invaluable guidance and support to ANDES.
Carlos Loret de Mola - President of the Cusichaca Association, former Minister of the Environment in Peru.
Carlos Amat y Leon - Professor at the Universidad del Pacífico, former Minister of Agriculture, Peru.
Michel Pimbert - Professor at Coventry University, Executive Director of the Center for Agroecology, Water and Resilience
Yiching Song, - Principal Investigator, China Center for Agricultural Policy (CCAP), Professor, China Agricultural University
ANDES has the contributions of an incredible international network of partners for the financial and technical support. Some examples are:
Krystyna Swiderska
- Principal Investigator of Agriculture and Agrobiodiversity at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), is a ANDES collaborator for a long time, supporting the collection of funds, collaborative research and publications.
Sonja Swift
- And the Swift Foundation have provided valuable support to ANDES for the institutional development, action research and policy development, and have generously contributed to the establishment of the new Pluriversity site in the Sacred Valley.
Gigi Manicad
- Provided professional and thoughtful technical and financial support to ANDES during his time at Oxfam-Novib, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with through Pluriversity.
With an active Internship and Volunteer Program, ANDES welcomes students from around the world, who conduct research on various topics, including social and environmental justice, indigenous food systems, conservation of biodiversity and ecotourism.
Neus Marti
- (Spain) carried out a postgraduate research on the Markets of Trueque de Lares and has done various consultancies with ANDES. Will participate actively in the development of programming at Yachay Kuychi Pluriversity.
Ewen Dano
- (France) recently completed a postgraduate research on underutilized crops in the Lares valley.
Melissa Loza
- (USA) She came as a volunteer on her summer vacation during the college.