Annie has worked in the tourism industry for over 20 years combining tourism and conservation.  She is convinced that the development of “good” tourism is a tool for conserving Panama’s natural heritage and also promotes peace and diversity.  She is passionate about nature and takes every opportunity to explore unique destinations that inspire her.   Tourism has been an excellent vehicle to learn how to empower women.

Annie has been a member of the Board of Directors of the National Chamber of Tourism, promoting sustainable strategies.  She has also participated in the Technical Committee of the Ecotur AP project with the Ministry of Environment and a member of the National Tourism Council for 4 years, the highest governing and consulting body for tourism activities throughout the national territory.

In 2017 Annie sold her tour operator companies to focus her efforts on the Panamanian Sustainable Tourism Foundation (APTSO.org) and to promote gender equality, rural tourism networks and conservation through community tourism strategies in Panama.  One of the goals in ATSO is to empower local women through the tourism activities.  We want to see more women involve actively in the planning of their own community projects and with active voice recognition that a resilient community is the one that learn to work in collaboration toward a shared vision.

Annie holds an executive degree from Stanford University Graduate School of Business in Business Strategies in Environmental Sustainability and a certificate in International Tourism Development Environmental Management from Harvard University. She is currently working on her final project to earn her degree in the Innovative Technology MBSAT (Mindfulness-Based Strategy Awareness Training) from Singapore Management University. “The Tourism of the future is supportive, inclusive and regenerative, of connections and green at heart.”