So you can get to know the people behind the scenes in our organization, we would like to introduce ourselves to you. Here, we highlight where we’ve been, provide some interesting facts about us, and also share why we do what we do.
Vanessa López, Executive Director
After graduating in Social Psychology at the Universidad Autónoma in Madrid, I went on to earn a Masters in Development from the Pontifical University Comillas in 2001. Having met a small group of friends during my studies, we started to become more aware of the huge impact that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was having in developing countries. Together, we decided to establish an advocacy and awareness-raising organization to leverage political will and resources that could contribute to ensuring that patients in impoverished countries had access to ARVs and prevention and to accelerate the R&D of an AIDS vaccine. In 2010, the organization changed its name to Salud por Derecho in order to reflect the wider mandate developed during the years. Alongside the fight against HIV/AIDS, we began to promote more and better R&D for poverty-related and neglected diseases and the improvement of Spanish and European global health and development policies, strengthening the overall right to health approach of the organization.
Trinidad García, Advocacy Officer
After studying Political Science, I worked for over six years at the Iberoamerican Youth Organization, where I headed the Rights Department. In 2012, I earned a Masters in International Development from the Pontifical University Comillas in Madrid, presenting my thesis on Triangular cooperation. I landed at Salud por Derecho in June 2012 and here, have been able to combine my passion for advocacy and communications as a means to influence policy change in the long term.
More about me:
I was born in Chile but have lived all my life abroad. I usually try to control my stress through daily Bikram yoga and baking. I keep myself active by drinking a lot of red tea. I don’t like seafood and I am red wine lover. When I’m not at Salud por Derecho or doing yoga, you can find me enjoying delicious Thai food at the restaurant around the corner or working to reach out to more followers on Twitter.
Erika Meyer, Projects Officer
Originally from the sunny state of Florida, I moved to the very snowy north of the US to study Political Science and Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame as well as receive a Masters in Social Work and Pastoral Ministry from Boston College. My love for traveling and discovering new cultures led me across the Atlantic to Madrid, where I first worked as a project management intern in the Africa department at Entreculturas. Interested in the impact of public action and community organizing to solve social problems, I stumbled upon the opportunity to work at Salud por Derecho, where I focus on helping the organization reach out to supporters who believe in our goals and want to work with us to advance our mission.
More about me:
When I am not writing grant proposals or reaching out to foundations, you can find me trying to grow my own urban garden (with an emphasis on trying), at African dance classes, or wandering around Madrid trying to find the best place to enjoy tapas and cañas.
Ramón Herrero, Project Assistant
While studying History both in Madrid and Berlin, I specialized in International Relations and Development Cooperation. Thanks to different opportunities, I was able to work on a variety of projects both in Germany and China focused on sustainable culture, health, and horizontal cooperation. At the same time, I combined these activities with being a professor and tutor of languages, history, art, and culture.
More about me:
I spent my childhood on stage as an actor. Every month, I usually leave a pretty large part of my salary at the movies, watching only original version films of course. I am also able to combine my work at Salud por Derecho with my passion for teaching languages such as English, German and Chinese.
