Karin Columba

Executive Director

A native Bolivian, Karin brings over 20 years of firsthand experience working with indigenous and rural communities in Latin America in a variety of development and environmental initiatives, including serving as Executive Director of Fundación Amigos de la Naturaleza for nine years in Bolivia. She joined One Equal Heart in February of 2019.

“I am truly excited about serving as Director of  One Equal Heart because I believe that working with indigenous peoples and communities makes the world a little more equitable and connects us with the diversity and richness of our cultures.”

Karin received her Master of Science in Planning and Environment in 1997 from the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies in Zaragoza, Spain; her Bachelor in Agricultural Businesses Administration in 1991 from Universidad Fundación Tecnológica Antonio de Arévalo in Cartagena, Colombia; her Graduate Diploma in Management of Small Businesses in 2014 from the University Oberta of Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain; and she completed an Executive Management Program (PAG) in 2006 with the INCAE Business School in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Living in the Puget Sound region with her husband and beloved pets, Karin likes to explore natural parks, have coffee time with a book or her friends, and watch soccer in her free time.

ISABEL BARJA

Fundraising and Monitoring Officer

Isabel was born in Tarija, southern Bolivia. She grew up in a family where both parents worked on social justice projects: supporting indigenous communities and children working on the street. That power experience molded Isabel’s social commitment to participate in the social work of her church and develop their future interest in joining organizations in the social justice sector.

She has a B.A. in Tourism Administration at the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo in La Paz. She completed a Specialization in Environmental Management and Disaster Prevention at the Sergio Arboleda University in Bogota, Colombia.

Her work experience is associated with human rights and the rights of nature.  Early in her career, she worked with the Swiss Cooperation Agency on sustainable and community tourism projects in Bolivia and Colombia. Before joining One Equal Heart, Isabel worked for five years with Ayuda en Acción, as a grant assistant for projects that supported 15,000 children and their families in four rural regions of Bolivia. Isabel specialized in administrative monitoring.

In August 2021, Isabel joined One Equal Heart as a Fundraising and Project Monitoring Officer. ''I am grateful and motivated to contribute to the sorority of women in Chiapas, promoting their leadership in sustainable development, based on the richness of their culture.''

Isabel lives in La Paz, Bolivia, with her husband Marcelo and their two children Sofia and Leticia. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends, traveling, and listening to music. She is an animal lover and advocate.

Angie Vega

Events and Communications Consultant

Angie Vega, originally from Mexico City, graduated in Communication and Journalism from UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico). From the beginning of her professional career, she discovered her passion for photography and her interest in supporting communities through the powerful combination of images and content.

During her stay in Mexico City, Angie took the opportunity to get involved in social projects aimed at improving the conditions of those most in need. She actively participated in the government project PILARES, where her contribution through photography was significant, especially in empowering women in vulnerable situations, facilitating their learning in the development of commercial projects, and promoting economic autonomy. Additionally, she was part of the Community Collective "Caminar sin Miedo," where through talks with the community, she sought to raise awareness on relevant topics such as gender violence and feminism.

Likewise, she collaborated in a Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) program, teaching parents classes to foster their active participation in creating safe environments for their children.

After moving to the United States with her family, Angie continued to seek opportunities to collaborate with social organizations and local communities. It was then that she discovered the projects of One Equal Heart, dedicated to supporting indigenous communities in Chiapas and Yucatan. This initiative resonated deeply with Angie, who felt a strong attraction and desire to be part of their team.

Currently, Angie resides in Seattle with her husband and their dog, Mandy. She enjoys exploring and capturing the beauty of the natural landscapes and cultural expressions of this city, always accompanied by her faithful companions: her camera and her dog.