Erik Taylor: Executive Director
Erik graduated from UC Davis in 2001 with a degree in political science and history. After working for a year as the coordinator of a high school intervention center, Erik moved to Berlin in 2003 where he conducted research for the ‘think tank’ and development institution, The Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. Following completion of his research Erik began a master’s program in social sciences through the Global Studies Programme. He studied on three continents receiving degrees from the Universities of Freiburg (Germany), KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa) and Jawaharlal Nehru (India), graduating number one in his class. His thesis was heavily informed by research he conducted while working for the Ecuadorian based non-profit YanaPuma in 2006. After graduating, Erik moved to Bolivia where he began working as the Director of Ecotourism for another non-profit based in Cochabamba. Shortly thereafter, Erik decided to start another organization which led to his founding of Sustainable Bolivia. In his spare time Erik enjoys sports, listening to music and traveling.
Boria Villegas: Legal Counsel and Director of Project Development
Arminda Boria Villegas was born in Oruro, on August 25th, 1984. She studied at Maria Auxiliadora High School in Santa Cruz-Montero, and earned her law degree from the University of San Simon, Cochababma in 2005. She interned at the Chamber of Commerce and Services of Cochabamba in the Center for Conciliation and Arbitration. In 2006 she was part of the team of promoters in the National Registry, providing information about the Referendum on Autonomy and the Constitutional Assembly. Additionally, she worked as a project coordinator for a Constitutional Campaign aimed at including environmental protections within the Bolivian Constitution. Boria’s hobbies include playing the djembe, traveling, dancing and making traditional handicrafts.
John Loveday: National Director
John graduated from Oxford University in 2003 with a first class degree in modern languages. After traveling and volunteering in South America for seven months he trained to be a teacher and worked in London for four years, firstly in teaching and then as a senior adviser in a local government housing department. During this time he furthered his interest in development by gaining a diploma in international development at London University, for which he received a distinction, and volunteering for Save the Children’s Education Unit. In 2008 he received his masters degree in social sciences from London Metropolitan University, specializing in public management, social housing and homelessness. John has traveled extensively and has a particular interest in Latin American history and culture. He is an avid reader and speaks five languages. He has been in his current role as National Director since January 2009.
Jhoully Murillo: Director of Finances and Accounting
Jhoully was born on November 16th, 1983 in La Paz, Bolivia. As a young girl she moved with her family to Cochabamba where she began school. She received her high school diploma from “Liceo de Senoritas Bolivia”, an all-girls high school. She then obtained her bachelors degree in Public Accounting and Auditing from the University of Mayor San Simon and graduated in 2004. After graduating she worked as a junior auditor for the A&C Consulting firm. In 2008 she worked in the Electoral Court Department of Cochabamba as a trainer for the referendum for the popular mandate. Within this position she was also able to participate in a training program for development, management and leadership skills for young entrepreneurs. In addition to serving as the director of finance and accounting for Sustainable Bolivia, Jhoully is head of the finance department for Fitness Group Bolivia, a local business in Cochabamba. In her free time she likes to visit the countryside, spendtime with her family and friends, dance and play sports.
Devan Colley: Assistant National Director
Devan Colley was born and raised in Arlington, Virginia outside of Washington, D.C. She attended Virginia Tech where she majored in Interdisciplinary Studies with minors in Women’s Studies, International Studies and Social Change and Leadership. She spent a semester abroad in Quito, Ecuador, studying at the University of San Francisco. In 2006 she graduated and moved back to the Washington, D.C. area to pursue work with nonprofit organizations, focusing on international and women’s aid work. In 2007 Devan worked with Women and Community Service (WICS), a nonprofit focused on aiding disadvantaged women and teenagers through social programs. After her time with WICS she went on to work for Friends of the World Food Program (FWFP), a D.C. based nonprofit founded by the United Nations World Food Program. There, Devan served as an Outreach Associate, helping to build WFP state-based volunteer committees. After a year with FWFP she made the decision to gain more hands on experience with international aid work. In July of 2008 Devan left FWFP to volunteer with Sustainable Bolivia. In her three-month volunteer period, she was offered the position of Assistant National Director with Sustainable Bolivia. Outside of work Devan enjoys reading, playing guitar, traveling and cooking.
Eric Di Bari: Information Systems Director
Eric is from New York State's capital city Albany, which is located 150 miles north of New York City. He attended the University at Albany, where he received a Bachelors in political science and a Masters of Public Administration in 2007 and 2009 respectively. During his graduate studies Eric held positions in both New York State government and academic organizations, and has worked in both the areas of website development and information system policy development. Most recently he interned in the State University of New York Retiree Service Corps and in the New York State Office of Cyber Security & Critical Infrastructure Coordination. He came to Sustainable Bolivia to gain experience working in the nonprofit sector and also to improve his Spanish. Eric has an interest in foriegn cultures, and has volunteered as an english as a second language teacher for political refugees in New York. Outside of work Eric enjoys playing piano, running, and rowing.
Jorge Arébalo: Office Assistant
Jorge Arébalo is a resident of Cochabamba and loves his city and its cuisine. He studied Law at San Simon University, graduating in 2005. During his degree he acted as a university counselor, secretary of conflict resolution in the Local Student Federation and stood on the board of the Student Union in his faculty. He also participated in a committee for young campesinos and founded the O.I.R., a regional organization aimed at integrating marginalized groups into university life. He works for Sustainable Bolivia as an office assistant, a role which among other things gives him the opportunity to show his city to new volunteers when they arrive. In his free time he likes to modify vehicles, a hobby which often brings him national prizes, and volunteer for local social projects.
Sustainable Bolivia would like to give a special thank you to:
- Masami Knox for providing Spanish translations of the content of our website