Supporting Social Causes in the Americas and Mapping International Donations

Interested in supporting organizations and causes in Latin America and the Caribbean but not sure how to even start? It can be hard to know who to give resources to—and how!

Join Young Professionals of the Americas for an insightful conversation exploring the key mechanisms driving philanthropy. For those looking to get started on their charitable giving journey, this chat will cover the basics, as well as diving into topics like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), Advised Gifts, and other tax-deductible donation tools. We will also discuss the power of Giving Circles as a collective approach to amplify charitable contributions and create sustainable change.

Our esteemed speakers include Caroline Kronley, president of the Tinker Foundation, Monica Carrillo Zegarra, director of Latin America and the Caribbean at Myriad USA, and Esther Diaz, director of INFANT Peru. They will share their vast expertise in philanthropy, grantmaking strategies, and civil society support, particularly in Latin America.

YPA members can register by emailing ypany@as-coa.org 

Speakers

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Caroline Kronley

Caroline Kronley is the president of the Tinker Foundation, which supports civil society organizations in Latin America in the areas of democracy, education, and the environment. Previously, she served as a Managing Director of Strategy at the Rockefeller Foundation, leading the development of new programmatic initiatives globally. She has also worked as a strategy consultant at Katzenbach Partners and Booz & Company. Caroline began her career working in the nonprofit sector in Mexico. She graduated from Haverford College with a degree in history and a concentration in Latin American studies and holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

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Monica Carrillo Zegarra

Monica Carrillo Zegarra has extensive experience in designing and implementing grantmaking strategies while expanding the portfolios and operations of philanthropic institutions. She currently serves as the first Director of Latin America and the Caribbean at Myriad USA, where she is responsible for managing relations with stakeholders, donors, and NGOs in the region. Prior to this role, she held the position of Regional Director of Latin America at Thousand Currents, where she led grantmaking and expansion strategies in the Amazon and Central American regions. Monica has been honored with the International Green Mentor Award in 2024, the Proclamation for Outstanding Contribution to the Latin Community from the City Council of New York in 2023, and the Outstanding Award for Contribution to Sexuality and Reproductive Rights from the International Planned Parenthood Federation in 2022. Mónica was also recognized as Civic Innovator by Americas Society for her leadership in Peru and Latin America.

She was also a keynote speaker at the NASDAQ Closing Bell ceremony for the International Day of Women. Monica has been recognized as a global leader by Google Earth, Americas Council, UN, and was the image for the anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights organized by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Elders. Her biography is included in the "Dictionary of the Caribbean and Latin American Biography" (Harvard-Oxford Press), which features individuals who have impacted the history of the African diaspora. In addition to her philanthropic work, Monica also holds Grammy and Latin Grammy credentials.

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Esther Diaz

Esther Diaz is director of INFANT Peru, located both in the surroundings of Lima and Belén, in the Peruvian Amazon. INFANT provides training and education for children and young people through emancipatory pedagogical practices. A special feature of INFANT’s work has been their role in supporting the creation of impactful child-led grassroots groups comprising 447 children in Lima and 461 in Iquitos which includes groups lead by girls. One of the child leaders of this initiative was nominated to the International Children Peace Prize in 2016. Also, the “Guardians of the Itaya River” group successfully lobbied to begin a boat-based garbage collection throughout water bound Belen, which is the first policy to reduce trash and pollution in the Itaya river.