Staff and Board
Co-Executive Directors  1. Anna Cederstav - Anna Cederstav is one of AIDA’s Co-Executive Directors. Having worked for AIDA since 1997, she is responsible for program and organizational development. Anna has significant expertise in the environmental impacts of mining and other extractive activities, as well as marine resource management. She holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of California at Berkeley and a B.S. from Yale University. Anna is based in Oakland, where she is also Staff Scientist with the International Program of Earthjustice. |
 2. Astrid Puentes - Astrid Puentes is AIDA’s other Co-Executive Director. She is responsible for AIDA’s legal efforts and organizational management. Originally from Colombia, Astrid has worked from AIDA’s office at CEMDA in Mexico City since 2003. She has significant experience with public interest litigation, especially in the field of human rights and the environment. Astrid holds an LL.M. in Comparative Law from the University of Florida, a Masters in Environmental Law from the University of the Basque Country, and a J.D. from the University of Los Andes, Colombia. |
Legal and Communications Team  1. Sofía Cortina Segovia - Sofía Cortina Segovia is an AIDA legal advisor in La Paz, Mexico, where she works on AIDA’s marine biodiversity and coastal protection efforts. She is helping shape government policies for the protection of oceans and coastal zones, particularly for the Sea of Cortez and Baja California Sur. Sofia received her J.D. from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 1995. Prior to working for AIDA, she was a private consultant and also served as Director of Research in Public Policies at Mexico’s National Institute of Ecology. |
 2. Natalia Jiménez Galindo - Natalia Jiménez Galindo is working as legal advisor for AIDA in Bogotá, Colombia. She is helping implement legal strategies to protect sensitive ecosystems, key fresh water sources, and biological diversity in Colombia and Ecuador from threats posed by human activities such as mining. Natalia is also helping strengthen local capacity for effective use of environmental regulations. Natalia holds a law degree from the Universidad de los Andes where she also studied International Development and Relations. |
 3. Marcela Jiménez Larrarte - Marcela Jiménez Larrarte is a Colombian environmental attorney working with AIDA on biodiversity protection in the Andean region. She focuses primarily on safeguarding strategic ecosystems in Colombia and Ecuador, particularly high-altitude wetlands (paramos) and other freshwater reserves. Marcela received her law degree from the Universidad de los Andes and has a specialization in environmental law from the Universidad del Rosario. Marcela brings to AIDA a diversity of experience working with public and private organizations on research initiatives, policy development, and environmental management on the national, regional and local level. |
 4. Jacob Kopas - Jacob Kopas is a North American lawyer working with AIDA in Colombia. Focusing on AIDA’s Human Rights and the Environment initiative, Jacob is helping litigate cases and produce legal resources related to large-scale hydroelectric and mining projects. Jacob received his law degree from Harvard University and holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan. Prior to working for AIDA in Colombia, Jacob worked in Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru and Chile, mostly with indigenous, Afro-descendent, and rural communities on issues related to human rights, sustainable development and social justice. |
 5. Betsy Marsh - Betsy Marsh is a communications consultant and researcher with AIDA, based in Texas. She is a specialist on issues related to the Plan Colombia aerial spraying program and helps communicate AIDA’s work to the public. Before working for AIDA, Betsy was Program Coordinator for the Amazon Alliance, in Washington, D.C. She has a Masters Degree in Natural Resources and the Environment from the University of Michigan. |
 6. Gladys Martínez - Gladys Martínez is a Costa Rican attorney based in San Jose, Costa Rica. She works on AIDA projects related to marine biodiversity and freshwater protection, and has helped bring AIDA victories protecting endangered turtles and coastal areas through litigation and the development of environmentally sustainable policies. Gladys received her law degree from the Universidad de Costa Rica, and holds a Masters degree in Environment, Security and Peace from the United Nations University-UPEACE. |
 7. Andrés Pirazzoli - Andrés Pirazzoli is an AIDA visiting attorney from Chile. He is currently based in Oakland, California, where he is helping develop AIDA’s climate change program. Andrés is exploring legal mechanisms to help enable Latin American nations mitigate the effects of climate change. Before joining AIDA, he worked with AIDA’s Chilean partner FIMA, leading the organization’s research initiative regarding renewable energy policies. Andrés holds a J.D. from the University of Chile and an LL.M. in environmental and natural resources law from the University of Oregon. |
|
AIDA Board of Directors |