Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa-Rica
Global leader passionate about gender equality and sustainable development issues, with over three decades of experience integrating social and gender considerations across initiatives, providing strategic contributions to national and international policies, and generating knowledge.
Until 2018, Lorena was Global Senior Gender Advisor and Global Director of the Governance and Rights Program of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). At present she serves as Vice Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica.
With extensive experience leading inclusive collaboration with government counterparts, UN agencies, international organizations and civil society, she has led the development of numerous national policies, sustainable development conventions and relevant finance mechanisms to embrace and advance human and women’s rights. Lorena has field experience in more than 50 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.
She has been a pioneer in the creation of influential international gender networks such as the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders of the Environment (NWMLE) and the Global Gender and Climate Alliance (GGCA). Lorena has been a Board member of numerous reputable organizations including Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management (WOCAN), the 2006 Champion of the Earth laureate Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), and Momentum for Change under the United Nations Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC).
Lorena has authored numerous publications on gender, sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, forests, water, health and environment, and is an engaging speaker at international conferences, congresses and other high-level events.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica and a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Kansas, United States and is fluent in English and Spanish.
Experience
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Costa Rica
- International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Switzerland
- International Development Research Center (IDRC), Canada
- International Red Cross, Switzerland and Costa Rica
- Save the Children, Costa Rica
- National Museum, Costa Rica
- Office of the Vice-President, Costa Rica
