Who we are

The story of Arraigo Foundation is a tale of passion, commitment, and dedication to preserving and promoting the rich Hispanic cultural heritage in an environment where diversity is key to social enrichment. It all began with Ximena Montilla, an expatriate Venezuelan with a clear vision and unwavering determination.

Aware of the importance of promoting cultural exchange and enhancing the sense of belonging, Ximena Montilla decided to bring this foundation to life with the purpose of fostering multiculturalism, tolerance, and the elimination of manifestations of racism, xenophobia, and intolerance both inside and outside the classroom. Her experience as a leader and CEO in various ventures aimed at empowering the Spanish-speaking community was the driving force behind this ambitious project.

The essence of Arraigo Foundation lies in its ability to create synergies and meaningful connections with prominent figures from the cultural, literary, and gastronomic worlds. These collaborations are part of the very soul of the foundation, enriching its programs and events with a diversity of perspectives and experiences that, in addition to nurturing the Spanish-speaking community, promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding.

Arraigo Foundation represents a beacon of hope and change, actively supporting the participation and empowerment of women in the cultural sphere. Its work transcends borders, reaching all layers of American society and beyond, demonstrating that diversity is a treasure that enriches everyone. With its tireless commitment, the foundation continues to illuminate the path towards a more inclusive and respectful world, where Hispanic culture shines in all its splendor.

COLLABORATORS

Ximena Montilla Arreaza (Director)

Special Education Teacher, specializing in Intellectual Development Disorders and Learning Difficulties (Instituto Universitario AVEPANE, Venezuela); M.Sc. in Management and Administration of Educational Centers (University of Barcelona-UB, Spain); Diploma in Applied Neurogastronomy (Institute of Neurosciences of the Americas, Venezuela). TEDx Speaker on "Spanish as an Affective Language". Member of the Venezuelan Gastronomy Association. Winner of three ILBA 2023 awards (International Latino Book Awards), winner of seven Gourmand Awards. Representative of Venezuela at the Umea International Gastronomy Symposium, Sweden 2023. Honorary member of the Women Economic Forum Venezuela.

Erik Michel (Member)

Erik Michel, a distinguished member of the Arraigo Foundation, brings extensive experience and a strong educational background to the organization. He holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from ESIC Business & Marketing School, with specializations in Executive MBA and in Business Development and Marketing. He also graduated in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Energy from Simón Bolívar University. Recognized for his strategic thinking, adaptability, and results-oriented leadership style, Erik Michel has held key positions in major multinational consulting and engineering companies such as Wood, Foster Wheeler, and currently AtkinsRéalis and Aurubis. His extensive experience and commitment to excellence make Erik Michel a valuable asset to the Arraigo Foundation, contributing expertise and a passion for community impact.

Professor Rafael Cartay (Collaborator)

Economist (Central University of Venezuela, Caracas), M.Sc. in Agricultural Economics (Postgraduate College, Chapingo, Mexico; Ibero-American Institute of Agricultural Sciences, IICA, Turrialba, Costa Rica). Ph.D. in Economics and Law of Foreign Countries (Université de Paris I-Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris). Retired Professor at the University of the Andes, Mérida, Venezuela. Professor-Researcher at the Technical University of Manabí. Professor Rafael Cartay brings invaluable expertise to the Arraigo Foundation due to his distinguished career as a historian specializing in Latin American gastronomy and culture. His international publications and ongoing commitment to research and teaching reinforce the positive impact the foundation aims to achieve in local and international communities.

Professor Ocarina Castillo (Collaborator)

Anthropologist, Master in Contemporary History of Venezuela, and Doctor in Political Science. Member of the Venezuelan Academy of Gastronomy, elected as a Full Member of the National Academy of History a few years ago. Founder of the Samuel Robinson program and the inter-school study project known as PCI (Interfaculty Cooperation Program), as well as the Anthropology of Flavors course at the School of Sociology of FACES. A great expert in the food anthropology of our country and other Latin American countries.

Margot Carvallo (Colaboradora)

Margot Carvallo, journalist and prominent member of the Arraigo Foundation, brings nearly a decade of experience in the news industry. Recognized for her work at CNN en Español and Scripps Network, Margot specializes in content creation in multicultural and intercultural environments. Her bilingual skills and expertise in digital content management ensure that her work resonates with diverse audiences and supports Arraigo's mission of enriching social diversity and celebrating Hispanic cultural heritage. Her deep commitment to promoting cultural heritage and her passion for creating impactful and culturally sensitive content make her a key asset for fundraising and the continued success of the Arraigo Foundation’s projects.

Sandra Krijt Bermúdez (Secretary)

Sandra holds a Bachelor's degree in Modern Languages with a specialization in Administration and Management from the Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas, Venezuela. Her previous work experience includes serving as Executive Assistant to the General Management for several multinational companies such as Sanofi-Aventis and Revlon, as well as teaching experience in bilingual/international schools. Sandra recently joined the University of San Diego team at their Madrid center as a Program Assistant. Having had the opportunity to live and study abroad, she cultivated a multicultural perspective that has fueled her passion for working in diverse and international environments.

Cissi Montilla (Collaborator)

Cissi Montilla, with studies in Applied General French Linguistics at the Université de la Franche-Comté, France, from 1976 to 1979, is currently an Advisor on Cultural Management projects, Reading Promotion, Cultural Development, and Indicators at Educapta. With more than two decades of dedicated service, she has held prominent roles in Mexico, including Executive Secretary of Cultural Public Policies at the National Council for Culture and the Arts, General Director of Cultural Development at the Secretariat of Culture of San Luis Potosí, and Director of Artistic Education and Cultural Services at the Querétaro Institute of Culture and the Arts. Her career, backed by solid academic training, brings specialized knowledge that significantly enriches the cultural field she addresses.

Chucho Rojas (Collaborator)

**Chucho Rojas (Collaborator)** Chucho Rojas is a Venezuelan chef with over 30 years of experience in cooking. He trained at the Gregoire Ferrandi school in Paris, where his concern for food health led him to develop the "Viva la Cantina" project to teach children how to cook and appreciate a balanced diet. He was a member of the Board of the Bengoa Foundation, internationally recognized for its work on the Venezuelan food crisis. Additionally, he collaborated with Venezuela Gastronómica to rescue regional cuisine and ancestral Venezuelan foods. Currently, he is the executive chef of the Meat And Bone group, promoting high-quality protein products and environmental sustainability in the United States. His commitment to teaching leads him to head the "SOY MAESTRO" project, a new passion that allows him to both teach and continue learning.