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.
Gabriela T. Sejas Zevallos: Legal Counsel and Director of Project Development
Gabriela, born on September 13th 1983, completed her studies at the Adela Zamudio girls’ secondary school and earned her degree in Law and Political Science at The Universidad Mayor de San Simon in 2006. She interned as a labor conciliator at the Ministry of Labor in Cochabamba and continued as an employee within the Ministry of Justice. While working, she continued her education receiving a post graduate degree in Teaching and Higher education. In 2011, she participated in a work-study program in Argentina, and in 2012 she attended a course on World Heritage in Claremont, France. Gabriela liked to travel, read, write and discover new things. In her free time she produces a cultural radio program called “VociferArte”.
Ryan Greer: National Director
Ryan spent his young life in a number of countries around the world, graduating high school in Nairobi, Kenya and finding his way back to the United States to attend college. He graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Sociology, which lead him back overseas to spend a year with Samaritan’s Purse in a hospital in Northern Jordan. With a continual love for the unknown Ryan continues to seek out adventure. He has visited nearly every country in Europe and backpacked through most of South America at one time or another. After a brief but wonderful time working for Habitat For Humanity in Southern California Ryan moved to Philadelphia where he earned a master’s degree in International Development from Eastern University. In 2011 he moved to Cochabamba, Bolivia, where he immediately fell in love with the city and its laid back way of life. During his free time you can often find Ryan writing for a music blog or paragliding in the beautiful mountains outside the city. He also enjoys a good game of chess, a good game of futbol, or a good book involving dragons.
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, spend time with her family and friends, dance and play sports.
Jonathan McCarthy: Assistant National Director
Jonathan was born and raised in Newark, Delaware. After graduating from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts in History and minor in Business Administration, Jonathan spent several years exploring his inner culinary artist, gaining restaurant management experience as Sous Chef with Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurants. While experiencing professional successes, his contemplative and inquisitive nature fueled a desire for international travel and continued personal growth that he could not help but satisfy. After renouncing his chefdom in August 2010, Jonathan spent the following fourteen months traveling Latin America, making pit stops in Leon, Nicaragua, and Mancora, Peru, to work as a Chef and Restaurant Consultant. While in Peru, Jonathan worked as the Volunteer Coordinator at the Mama Cocha Orphanage. Before reaching his final destination in Cochabamba, Jonathan spent the 2012 summer in Costa Rica leading a cultural immersion and community service trip for 8th and 9th graders with Putney Student Travel.
Alex Dealy: Director of Communications and Community Outreach
Alex grew up in San Diego, California and attended the University of Southern California (USC). He graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and a minor in Spanish. During his time at USC, he studied abroad at the University Carlos III de Madrid and learned being the only American in a class full of Spaniards is difficult, but ultimately rewarding. Alex has also interned with the United States Department of State and was a director for a student-run independent radio station in Los Angeles. After finishing school, he came to Bolivia for the first time as a volunteer with Sustainable Bolivia in early 2012. In his volunteer placement, he supported CADEPIA with their market accessibility initiatives for small and medium businesses. Alex is proud to be able to continue living and working in Cochabamba as the Director of Communications and Community Outreach for Sustainable Bolivia. In his spare time, he enjoys photography, playing soccer and listening to independent music.
Jorge Arébalo: Office Manager
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.
Danilsa Jauregui: Office Assistant
Danilsa was born in La Paz, Bolivia on the 20th of April. She completed her primary and secondary education in the city of Santa Cruz and is currently studying Social Communication in the University Mayor de San Simón. In 2010 she worked as a news reporter for local program “The Morning Show” on 94.3 FM. Following this experience, she continued to work with radio programming in the San Simón university. As part of this work, she formed part of the team to research and create tourist documentaries about the city of Cochabamba and contributed to such works as “El Pueblito,” “Tarata Moderna,” amongst others. In her spare time she enjoys viewing theater, creating handcrafts and watching movies.
Doctora Garapiña Sandia Sostenible (a.k.a. Piña)
SB’s new director, Piña, joined our family in November 2010 after we deemed her the most beautiful puppy in all of the San Martín de Porres refuge for dogs. Although we have given her all the attention and amenities any modern dog could ever expect, she is still a street dog at heart. We are yet to discover any food she will not eat which includes meat of all kinds, vegetables and fruits; although she once had an aversion to grapes. She enjoys meeting friends in the park, greeting all new SB volunteers and hiking in the nearby mountains. Piña is bilingual and always does her best to create a warm and positive environment in SB’s main house.
