Amigos’ leadership is provided by a small Board of Trustees made up of private, volunteer individuals with an interest in Costa Rica and, specifically, in helping to support charitable causes in Costa Rica.
Learn a little bit more about our Board below:
Carlos Torres
President
Carlos Torres is the founder and former President of CARANA Corporation, a leading provider of global economic development services to government, private business, individuals, and international donor agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development. Mr. Torres is currently President of the Board of Trustees of Amigos of Costa Rica, providing leadership and insight based on over 20 years of experience managing, designing, monitoring and evaluating development assistance projects worldwide. He has extensive experience in the Latin America and Caribbean region having worked in over 15 countries. Mr. Torres lived in Costa Rica for 8 years where he provided management and restructuring services to the Costa Rican Investment Promotion Program (CINDE), resulting in creation of 8,000 new jobs. Mr. Torres holds and MSM and BS in Finance and Management, and is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Harry Odio
Treasurer
Harry Odio made a career of offering professional management services to U.S. companies operating in Latin America. He holds an MBA and a BS in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering. Mr. Odio is now retired, but continues to serve as consultant on management projects when he’s not relaxing or spending time in his native Costa Rica. He both serves as Treasurer of Amigos of Costa Rica and sits on CRUSA’s Assembly of Founders, making him an integral facilitator of international cooperation and enthusiastic champion of projects throughout Costa Rica.
Brenda Wright
Trustee
Dr. Brenda Wright, a native of Texas, holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin and University of North Texas in Denton. She works full time from Costa Rica as director of clinical communications for Nationwide Better Health. With nearly 30 years experience in health promotion and preventive medicine, she authored numerous books and articles for both lay and scientific audiences.
Alvaro Umaña
Trustee
Dr. Alvaro Umaña has had a unique international career combining a wide range of experience in academia, public service, philanthropic institutions and both governmental and non-governmental organizations, spanning over thirty years. His career includes important positions with international organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations, including UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Dr. Umaña was Costa Rica's first Minister of Energy and Environment from 1986-1990 under president Oscar Arias. He was internationally recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to conservation, including the creation of the National Biodiversity Institute (INBIO) and the implementation of innovative financial instruments like debt-for-nature swaps. Under his leadership, Costa Rica implemented the largest commercial debt-for-nature program of any developing country. Dr. Umaña is the author of numerous publications and books which focus on the energy and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and the political economy of global common resources including biodiversity and climate change.
