I am a design leader from Colombia with several years of experience in the design for social impact space. Currently I am an Associate Partner and Design Director at Dalberg Design. I divide my role between Latam and Nairobi, fostering South-to-South collaborations. I envision a design practice centered on South American and African knowledge for sustainable social change. I have led projects for organizations such as BMGF, CGAP, Mercy Corps, The Nature Conservancy, the UN, Unicef, USAID, among others.

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In the last years I have focused on pioneering Dalberg Design's footprint expansion in Latin America, strengthening networks and extending our work in the region. Currently, I lead Dalberg Design's Community Centered Design taskforce, envisioning and implementing strategies for a more equitable and community-centered design practice.

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Previously: Design Strategist at Project Over Zero (New York), Design Fellow at InWithForward (Vancouver), Strategic Design Consultant at Fondo Patrimonio Natural (Bogotá), and Design Researcher at Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá.)

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I am a adventurer and maker at heart, I enjoy making things with my hands, playing with color, making information maps, and exploring new places. 

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Say hello any time – malesandovalavila@gmail.com | LinkedIn

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