Rafael is a seasoned development practitioner with expertise in agriculture, food security, and market systems. He is currently the Director of the Horizons Initiative at Catholic Relief Services in Guatemala, a transformative 10-year, $50 million project aimed at regenerating over 35,000 hectares of agricultural landscapes. With nearly 20 years of professional experience across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia, Rafael has worked with organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Food Program, the Food and Agriculture Organization, and the Fabretto Children’s Foundation. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration in Development Practice from Columbia University and a B.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland, College Park.