Board of Directors
Since 2008, Border Philanthropy Partnership has served as the leading binational organization focused on building prosperity along the U.S.-Mexico Border region through leadership, collaboration, and philanthropy. Together, with the leadership of our Board of Directors and staff, we have been able to address issues of prosperity, equity, and opportunity across the Borderlands region.
The Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors is a collective of leaders from all sectors across the Borderlands region. Together, they bring more than 225 years worth of experience in philanthropy, business, academia, and policy on both sides of the Border.
The Border Philanthropy Partnership Board of Directors is a collective of leaders from all sectors across the Borderlands region. Together, they bring more than 225 years worth of experience in philanthropy, business, academia, and policy on both sides of the Border.
OFFICERS
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Rosa del Carmen Montaño Fimbres, Chair | Mexicali, Baja California
Executive Director, Cadenas de Ayuda para México, A.C. Rosa del Carmen was born and lives in Mexicali, Baja California, where she completed a degree in Human Resources from the Center for Technical and Higher Education (CETYS University). From 2004 to 2012, she was a member of the Board of Directors for the local nonprofit Cadenas de Ayuda para Mexico. As of 2012, she serves as the executive director. She has collaborated in advertising and marketing agencies, in the management of different family businesses and since 2006 she is the finance director of a group of corporations based in the state of Baja California. |
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Laura Speer, Vice Chair | Baltimore, Maryland
Director, Strategy, Annie E. Casey Foundation Laura Speer was named the Foundation's inaugural director of strategy in February 2019. Prior to this role, she was the associate director for policy reform and advocacy and held primary responsibility for KIDS COUNT, including its annual publications and the KIDS COUNT Data Center. Having spent a number of years doing state- and local-level child advocacy work, Speer was a key liaison and resource person for the KIDS COUNT network of state advocates in the United States, as well as a growing number of child advocates in Latin America interested in data-based advocacy. Laura has a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a master's degree in public administration from New York University. |
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J.C. Thomas III, Secretary | Solana Beach, California
Assistant Director Development Services Department, City of San Diego J.C. Thomas is the assistant director of the Development Services Department for the City of San Diego. In his position, he is responsible for the digital transformation, innovation initiatives and operations support for the department. The department provides review, permit, inspection, and code enforcement services for private and public development projects throughout the City to ensure healthy, safe, and livable neighborhoods. |
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Louis R. Escareño, Treasurer | San Antonio, Texas
General Counsel and Director, Government & Public Affairs, UETA/Duty Free Americas Louis was born and raised in San Antonio. He received a baccalaureate degree in Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in Public Administration at Harvard University and a doctorate in jurisprudence at the University of Houston Law Center. A former President of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Escareño serves on numerous boards including the U.S. Mexico Chamber of Commerce Binational Board, the Border Trade Alliance and the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce. Escareño served as Special Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Texas Attorney General. In this capacity he was the coordinator/liaison of the U.S. Mexico Border State Attorneys General and Director of the Attorney General’s U.S. – Mexico Border Task Force. Escareño also served in the White House in the Carter Administration as a staff assistant in the Office for Hispanic Affairs and prior to that as a Special Assistant to US Senator Lloyd Bentsen. |
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Enrique Díaz Rivera Robinson Bours, Immediate Past Chair | Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur
Board Member, Fundación Tichi Muñoz, A.C. Enrique has a baccalaureate degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. He is a real estate developer in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and a board Member of the San Jose del Cabo Fire department, as well as a board member and treasurer of the Fundación Tichi Muñoz in Cd. Obregón, Sonora. The Tichi Muñoz Foundation was founded by Enrique’s grandfather, Enrique R. Bours Almada in honor of his first wife and Enrique’s grandmother, Beatriz Marina “Tiche” Muñoz. |
DIRECTORS
Eduardo Acosta | San Diego, California
Vice President, R.L. Jones Customhouse Brokers Eduardo is currently President of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, where he has been a partner for over 20 years. Eduardo is very involved in the mega region, serving as a board member at Index Tijuana, as well as a Vice President of the Pacific Coast Council of Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Assns. Inc. He is also an active member at DEITAC, as well as a board member of the Smart Border Coalition. As a new member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce, he also looks forward to actively participating in its activities. |
Guillermo Garza Martínez | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer, Arca Continental Guillermo Garza is the Chief Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Officer for Arca Continental, one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world. Garza is active in the community participating in many business chambers and community welfare efforts including International Council of Beverages Association for LatAm, Public Affairs Board of North America and Latin America Beverages Association, Global Compact Mexican Chapter, and the Monterrey Metropolitan Water fund. Garza graduated from the Technological Institute of Monterrey with a Communications and Science, and completed post graduate studies at Boston College, Harvard University, and IPADE. |
Denise Herrera | Houston, Texas
Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Texas Health Science Center Denise has devoted much of her academic and philanthropic career to leveling the playing field for underserved populations to receive quality health services and education. Her proudest accomplishment was establishing the “Herrera Internship Endowment” in 2016 – which provides internship and scholarship opportunities for Latina students throughout New Mexico. Denise completed her BS in Health Education from the University of New Mexico, MS in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona, and PhD in Health Education from the University of Texas-Austin. |
Juan Guadalupe Marcos Giacomán | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Board Member, Fundación Jesús M. Montemayor, A.C. Marcos Giacomán has a long and distinguished history serving as a board member in the philanthropic sector in Mexico. He currently serves as Chair of the Fundación Jesús M. Montemayor, A.C., and serves as a board member with COMCE, the Catholic Archdiocese of Monterrey, and the Rotary Club of Monterrey. Juan Guadalupe completed his University and Post Graduate degrees at the University of Monterrey. |
Alex Ríos Rippa | San Diego, California
Director of Corporate Ethics, Sempra Global In Washington DC, he was a lawyer in the Organization of American States (OAS) and was formerly an Adviser to Mexico's Attorney General. Alejandro is a lawyer with a master's degree in International Affairs from Georgetown University in Washington DC and a Masters of Law from the University of San Diego. Alejandro was a law professor at Escuela Libre de Derecho, UABC and guest lecturer at University of San Diego, California. |
Adam Lopez Falk | Phoenix, Arizona
Community Program Officer, Arizona Community Foundation Adam Lopez Falk serves as Community Program Officer for the Arizona Community Foundation where he advances ACF’s ACF’s diversity, equity, and inclusion work by deepening connections to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-led and rural nonprofits and helping donors understand the current needs of Arizona’s communities. A fifth generation Arizonan, Adam also serves as a member of the board of Arizona Luminaria, Friendly House, and the Alhambra District Education Partnership. |
BPP recently recognized its founder Hon. Russell "Russ" L. Jones as Chairman Emeritus. Russ has been active in community since he was a young man growing up in Calexico, CA. He is the epitome of what is known in the region as a Borderlander. A Borderlander is someone who easily navigates both sides of the border, and identifies as being from both sides of the region. Russ was raised in Calexico, CA and Mexicali, Baja California. His father and grandfather founded what is known today as RL Jones Customhouse Brokers, a premier import/export business facilitating trade and commerce between the U.S. and Mexico across the 10 State region. Russ studied Business Administration at San Diego State University, where he met Janet, his wife of over 50 years. Russ is a founder of multiple organizations. He is one of the founders of the Border Trade Alliance, and he is one of the founding members of the Arizona Community Foundation, and their statewide affiliate system. Since 2008, Russ has served U.S.-Mexico Border Philanthropy Partnership (BPP) with grace, humility, and honor. His generous spirit has contributed to the growth and development of the BPP as he faithfully executed his responsibilities as a board member and officer. Russ helped extend BPP's mission, redefine its services, expanded member network, and exponentially increased BPP's influence along and across the binational region. Thank you Russ for your tireless commitment to the Border region!
