MARÍA ALEJANDRA ZAMBRANO, Ph.D.

For more than twenty years, I’ve built partnerships across Latin America. I’ve created literacy initiatives and community-based filmmaking programs.

Directed La Poderosa Media Project for over a decade. Managed educational partnerships across the US and Latin America. Produced 50+ community films with children and youth. Won multiple national prizes from Ecuador’s Film Institute and Secretary of Culture.

PhD from The University of Texas at Austin. Published in peer-reviewed international journals. As Dean at Universidad de las Artes, I lead the team that created Ecuador’s first undergraduate program in Intercultural Arts Education. I also designed a Professional Certificate in Reading Mediation.

Secured competitive national grants and funding. Organized international conferences bringing together 60+ stakeholders. Served on national prize juries and committees.

Developed methodologies for low-connectivity, multilingual, low-resource environments. Traveled to 50 countries. Speak 4 languages.

I work on strengthening Ecuador’s children’s literature research ecosystem. Produced award-winning books and ethnographic documentaries. Curated exhibitions. Designed new academic programs.