Dr. Fernando Reimers

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Fernando Reimers is the Ford Foundation Professor of International Education and the Director of the International Education Policy Program at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Reimers focuses his research and teaching on identifying education policies that support teachers in helping low-income children succeed academically. His current research focuses on the relationship between teacher quality, educational expansion, and social inequality in Mexico and on civic education in Latin America. In addition to his research and teaching, Reimers advises governments, development agencies, and private groups involved in education reform in developing nations. He has worked in several countries in Latin America, as well as in Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan. Prior to joining the Harvard faculty, he worked at the World Bank, the Harvard Institute for International Development, and the Universidad Central de Venezuela.

Ms. Ilona Becskehazy

Lemann Foundation, Brazil

Ilona Becskeházy leads the Lemann Foundation and ISMART, two Brazilian non profit institutions focused on education funded by local businessmen. The Lemann Foundation is focused on improving the quality of public education management systems and educating their leaders. The Foundation’s activities began in 2002, with a long-term commitment from the Lemann family to contribute to social and economic development in Brazil, especially in the area of public education. The hallmark program is Management for School Success, an on-line course for public school directors with an emphasis on training in participative leadership and applying assessment mechanisms as a management tool. Prior to joining the Lemann Foundation, Ms. Becskeházy worked in the Latin American mergers and acquisitions department at J.P. Morgan, and held management positions in two small companies.

Mrs. Alicia Lebrija

Fundacion Televisa, Mexico

Alicia Lebrija is the co-founder and Director of Education and Development Promotion at Fundación Televisa, a foundation created by the most powerful and influential media company in Mexico to promote personal development in the country. Mrs. Lebrija has a strong background in international relations, research and social entrepreneurship, with a Master’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University. Mrs. Lebrija has held leadership positions in international relations at the Institute of Technology of Mexico (ITAM) and belongs to international advisory councils such as the International Board of Overseers at Tufts University and the Latin American Council at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Her commitment to social change is reflected in her leadership at foundations in Mexico such as Mexicanos Primero, A.C., an organization that engages civil society in the renovation of Mexican public education, and Fideicomiso Bécalos, a privately-funded scholarship program for poor Mexican students.

Mr. Carlos Alberto Casas

Fundacion Corona, Colombia

Carlos Alberto Casas is the Director of the Education Area at Fundación Corona, a non-profit, private institution founded in 1963 by the Echavarria family. It aims to contribute to poverty reduction and the generation of equity in Colombia, by supporting programs and innovative initiatives of high social impact which strengthen the institutional capacity of local, regional and national organizations. The foundation focuses its efforts in four strategic areas: education, health, entrepreneurial development, and local and community management. Mr. Casas has focused the mission of the Education Area on improving the quality and relevance of preschool, primary and secondary education to guarantee equality of learning opportunities for poor children and youth in Colombia. Prior to joining Fundación Corona, Mr. Casas served as a teacher and school administrator for 18 years, and then led the Colombian National Research Education Program, which promotes research in education and pedagogy. Mr. Casas has a Master’s degree from the Boston University School of Education and a Master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Since 2004, he has been working as a teacher and counselor in Education graduate programs at Universidad de los Andes and Universidad Javeriana in Bogota.

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