WHO WE ARE
Our Mission
Mundo Sostenible works with local and international partners to fund and implement clean energy projects to foster economic growth in an environmentally and socially sustainable way.
Our Vision
We strive to transition Latin American economies to utilize 100% renewable energy resources for electricity generation and transportation fuel, and to maximize all energy efficiency opportunities in the production, transmission, and consumption of energy.
Organizational Governance
In an effort to be as transparent as possible about our organization's structure and procedures, our Bylaws are available through the link below:
Mundo Sostenible INC - Bylaws and Conflict of Interest Policy
Our Work
Board of Directors
Lia Tavarez
President
Lia is a community builder and researcher with a commitment to equity and sustainability. She has previously worked at the Robin Hood Foundation, spearheading the successful implementation of their virtual incubator and accelerator programs for social impact entrepreneurs during COVID-19. In this role, she coordinated co-design sessions, facilitating collaboration between founders and community members on tech solutions to address New York City's most pressing challenges.
As a Fulbright Program fellow in Peru, Lia conducted ethnographic and qualitative research, exploring the impact of tourism on the cultural identity of southern Peruvians. This fellowship gave her the opportunity to experience the work of Mundo Sostenible first-hand and to learn about clean energy projects that promote economic growth. This experience has further fueled Lia's dedication to fostering innovative, collaborative environments, and promoting sustainable practices.
Lia currently serves as the Community Manager at HearstLab, an organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in investment funding by investing in women-led startups. She holds a bachelor's degree in Government and International Relations and is based in New York City.
Barrett Lione-Seaton
Vice President and Treasurer
I was drawn to MSc through Clint Fandrich and knowing his dedication to the cause he has been working on. I knew his dedication and commitment to the cause was steadfast and thorough. I also fully believe in the cause and projects that have been completed thus far. By day I am a project manager for Midwest Solar Power out of Madison, WI.
I have spent about 7 years abroad doing different things. My favorite thing from my travels has been getting to know so many different cultures first hand. Everywhere I have lived around the world, I have dived in head first and immersed myself through working in and with the people of every country I have lived in.
I am currently heading up a task force to develop a Guilde of Small Solar Installers in Wisconsin. While solar has not been most of my career, it is now part of most of my life. While solar is not the only answer in our transition to renewable energy, it is a great option for many places!
Shane McMahon
Secretary
Shane is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. in Mathematics and Physics and a Ph.D. in Biophysics. Shane is a research scientist, entrepreneur and consultant, teaches workshops on entrepreneurship, and co-founded a company focused on providing impactful professional development opportunities. Shane provides consulting services to startups and nonprofits in and around Madison, Wisconsin focusing on customer discovery, market segmentation, and corporate governance.
Project Implementation Team - Peru
Clint Fandrich
General Manager
Clint is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied renewable energy policy development. Integrating renewable energy and energy efficiency technology with on-the-ground circumstances, particularly in the developing world, are a main focus of his education and work experience.
Before coming to Mundo Sostenible, Clint served the State of Wisconsin as a lead energy policy analyst to maximize Wisconsin’s bioenergy potential. Clint firmly believes that the future is bright for clean energy development in emerging economies in the coming decades, particularly in Peru. Together with partners around Latin America and the United States, he looks forward to offering his experience, determination, and support for responsible and sustainable energy development to reduce poverty and protect the environment.
Clint lives in Arequipa, Peru with his wife, Lili, and their five cats.
Gerson Chavez
Born and raised in Arequipa, Gerson is a graphic design technician and a specialist in computer repair and maintenance. While he chose not to follow the traditional trajectory of his education, he began to feel more comfortable in the field of sales and marketing. This allowed him to develop a skill of detailing complex concepts with the goal of improving the lives of people and animals alike. Direct contact with clients and business partners soon led him to discover a passion for professional communication and presentation and to fit in well with sales and marketing teams. Gerson worked in this role at a clean energy project developer in Arequipa where he improved the communications tools to familiarize clients with new solar water heating technology.
Gerson soon joined MSc as he began to see that it was possible to help improve the lives of people in his community with clean energy projects and in turn take care of the environment. Additionally, Gerson hopes to help make MSc one of the largest and most successful organizations in cultivating a higher quality of life for people in Peru and beyond, as well as improve environmental quality and contribute to a more sustainable ecosystem for wildlife. In the near future, Gerson hopes to establish a shelter for animals, particularly street dogs, called Grecolandia. He believes it is fundamentally important for communities to defend animal rights and provide a better quality of life for our four-legged neighbors.
Gerson lives in Arequipa, Peru with his adopted dog, Oso.
Public Relations Manager
Rafael Fernández
Rafael has only one objective: to solve global problems using engineering solutions.
He began his studies in Electrical Mechanical Engineering at the Catholic University of Santa Maria in Arequipa, Peru. To follow his passion of gaining new knowledge and skills, he pursued an offer for a yearlong internship at EGASA, one of the largest electrical generators in Arequipa, where he learned about the current state of the electrical generation industry in Arequipa and Peru more generally. He also learned a great deal about the intercommunication between electrical generators and energy distribution infrastructure. At the end of his internship, Rafael began to explore opportunities with renewable energy and was introduced to solar energy through small-scale projects as an apprentice. During that period, he also found time to become certified as an electrician through programs offered by SENATI, as well as becoming a hydraulic systems designer through TECSUP.
After a couple of years and before joining MSc, Rafael began to work at a private company that provided renewable energy solutions where he designed solar and wind energy projects. In his free time, he worked as an engineering consultant for companies that are interested in finding ways to solve energy-related problems with improved energy efficiency, such as with LED lighting and solar water heating, and solar and wind energy systems.
Rafael lives in Arequipa, Peru with his mother and his dog, Jackson.
Project Co-Manager
Maria Alejandra Raffo Salazar
Maria Alejandra has a Master’s in Environmental, Economic and Social Development at the Autonomous University of Barcelona-Spain. Before attending her Master’s program, she worked for four years in the mining sector. It was there that she discovered her interest and motivation for contributing to the environment by developing solutions that benefit both communities and companies in an inclusive way.
She studied Commercial Engineering at the Catholic University of Santa María in Arequipa, Peru. Her experience there provided the foundation for her Master’s program in granting exposure to operational management, with an emphasis on marketing and business.
She is a proactive and enthusiastic person who enjoys a challenge. Through her easy-going character, she is unafraid of interacting with an array of personalities. She has a true spirit of leadership as well as the ability to work as an indispensable team player.
Maria’s knowledge and experience in different professional fields will help MSc to have an integrated perspective in being able to present different alternatives to problems faced by companies’ cooperative projects and by the greater communities MSc serves.
She enjoys traveling and cycling in the countryside. She loves any chance to try traditional food from anywhere.
Ale lives in Arequipa, Peru with her parents and her dog.
Publicity Manager
Renato Navarrete Orihuela
Renato strives to bring electricity to far-flung places in Peru that don’t currently enjoy basic utility services using renewable energy, all while helping to prevent pollution. He began his studies in Mechanical Engineering at the Santa Maria Catholic University in Arequipa, Peru. He developed a passion for Competitive Robotics, as well as doing research in energy solutions by developing home-made solar panels with the help of members of his robotics team. Renato began an apprenticeship in the development of solar panels for utility poles and continued his work in Renewable Energy, developing mostly photovoltaic projects, on and off-grid systems, solar water pumping systems, and hybrids, all at large and small scales.
He has contributed his experience and knowledge to MSc in different technical aspects, including sizing of photovoltaic systems and completion of photovoltaic projects. Renato enjoys traveling, home-made and competitive robotics, and electric motors.
He lives in Arequipa, Peru.
Project Co-Manager
Milward Alvaro Salinas Acosta
Milward20152@gmail.com
Milward is committed to sustainability and clean energy. He began his studies in Electrical Mechanical Engineering at the Catholic University of Santa Maria in Arequipa, Peru. He is enthusiastic about design, installation, and maintenance of renewable energy systems, and is knowledgeable of environmental and safety standards. He has experience in managing renewable energy projects from planning to implementation, with a strong environmental and ethical awareness to contribute to the success and sustainability of his projects.
He currently works for a renewable energy company performing tasks, such as planning, design, and commissioning of solar energy systems for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
He enjoys outdoor sports and hiking.
Milward lives in Arequipa, Peru.
Manager of Project Maintenance