Eugenia Duran
Born and raised in Guatemala, single mother of three, Eugenia Duran worked at the Swiss company CIBA for 16 years, and through that time was able to visit around 20 countries in North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. She lived in China for almost a year, which was the longest time she was out of Guatemala. Eugenia built one of the best avocado farms in Guatemala, often visited by UCLA entomologist technicians to study this crop in this region and the insects that could affect the yield. At the UCLA Riverside Lab, you can find insects named after this farm. In 2011 that farm was sold, and thinking about retirement at 55, but felt she could do more; now, for Guatemala who has given me an excellent opportunity to raise my kids and have a safe economic situation. In 2012 Eugenia met Bob Graham through a great woman living in Antigua, Judy Sadlier. She started working with Namaste Guatemaya Foundation that same year and is now the Executive Director with a team of ten colleagues.