Krystal Maria Montesdeoca

Transcription

1 214 Keiser Avenue Normal, IL Phone Cell: Krystal Maria Montesdeoca Education M.S. from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics Thesis Title: The Economics and Total Factor Productivity of the Tropical Soybean-Maize Succession Cropping System in Brazil (Goldsmith, P.D. & Montesdeoca, K. (2015). The productivity of tropical grain production. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, under review, 45 pages.) Lemann Graduate Fellowship for Brazilian Studies The Chester Bull Roberts Fellowship Graduate Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant Areas of Specialization: Agribusiness, Agricultural & International Development, and Natural Resource Economics ACES in Sierra Leone Study Abroad Winter 2012/2013 o Course Title: Sustainability -Agriculture, Environment, and Governance o Project: Village Savings and Lending Groups in Southeast Sierra Leone A rapid assessment of village saving and lending programs in the USAID s P.A.G.E. (Promoting Agriculture, Government and Environment) project, which included working with World Vision of Sierra Leone as one of the implementing partners. o University of Illinois and Njala University Training Certificate - GIS and It s Applications for Sustainable Agricultural International Business Immersion Program (IBIP) 2013: Brazil o A course held during the spring 2013 designed to ground participants in the key agribusiness, economic, political, institutional, cultural and social dimensions in Brazil. Emphasis on tropical soybean and maize agricultural systems. o A 21-day immersion study tour in May 2013, which will allow participants to view and understand the issues they have been studying. Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar Audited graduate courses in Economics, Business Intelligence, and Portuguese B.A. from Illinois State University Normal, IL Economics and Spanish Linguistics Work experience University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL Jan Present USAID Soybean Innovation Laboratory - Soybean Nutrition Specialist (50% appointment) Assist NSRL in the coordination of the human nutrition component of the SIL project. This includes research to address the barriers of adoption for soybean consumption at the household level to address the challenges of human nutrition in the developing world.

2 This includes village-level research focused on the role of training in soybean processing, utilization and nutrition education; early childhood nutrition with soy-based weaning foods; and research to identify the sustainability and economic output of small-scale soy processing units. Assist NSRL in communication, logistics, research evaluation, reporting, writing and data collection efforts for the SIL human nutrition research efforts ensuring that project, reporting, monitoring & evaluation objectives are met. Assist NSRL in communication with in-country and on-campus research leads including setting up conference calls and virtual meetings; assist in communication with Institutional Review Board (IRB) offices on campus and in-country; assist in developing and translating survey materials; assist in coordination of travel logistics; assist in coordination of data collection, data monitoring, evaluation and reporting; assist in writing trip and research reports. Help identify human nutrition-focused and other research-focused funding opportunities to expand SIL work, programming and impact. Contribute to performance reports for review and submission to SIL and USAID focused on the human nutrition research efforts. 2 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL Jan Present USDA Data Intensive Fertilizer Management - Project Manager (50% appointment) Manage the project titled Using Precision Technology in On-farm Field Trials to Enable Data-Intensive Fertilizer Management, which is a four million dollar research project funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Coordinate all communication, logistics, research evaluation, reporting, writing and data collection efforts for the DIFM efforts ensuring that project, reporting, monitoring & evaluation objectives are met for 6 partner institutions in the US, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Identify opportunities and challenges in meeting project output objectives and work with project staff including research leads, partners, and participating farmers to meet project performance goals. Conduct and coordinate internal and external communications. Manage all aspects of grant execution to comply with University and funding agency guidelines, deadlines, and regulations; including but not limited to the annual work plans, output documentation, report preparation and budget management. Develop and implement a tracking system that will facilitate close communication with all involved parties in order to oversee monthly invoices from sub-awardees. Write performance reports for review and submission to USDA by the Principal Investigator, tracking the financial and performance aspects of the project, and maintaining up to date project records. Design, plan and coordinate strategic and programmatic activities among research partners. Manage print publications and website for the project. Catholic Relief Services Eldoret & Iten, Kenya Nov.-Dec Farmer-to-Farmer - Agribusiness & Microfinance Specialist

3 Responsible for the design, development, and implementation of youth friendly loan and saving products, manuals/guidelines and equip the Elgeyo Marakwet youth Bunge Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO) management with business skills in SACCO (or SILC) management. The youth Bunge and SACCO were initially funded by the USAID s Yes Youth can! Program. Review and enhance the knowledge and skills of management staff in improving accounting and financial management systems, loan tracking, and internal controls; and various strategies of increasing outreach on a sustainable basis. Develop tailor made credit education to empower the borrower, specifically women and youth, to make informed decisions on the various loans developed and investment options for the target youth. Conduct field surveys and interviews, data collection and analysis to understand and identify demand and need levels of different loans, loan categories, SACCO member services, and economic and social impact on gender and sustainable farming at the household and village level. Hold trainings with selected youth groups and/or members to discuss micro-finance lending practices and the potential risk mitigation associated with utilization of various agricultural loans. The Fellowship of Catholic University Students Denver, CO Present FOCUS Missions Project Manager Responsible for the design, development, and execution of over 70 missions/ development projects across 5 continents. Establish new, and cultivate current, working relationships with in-country contacts religious orders, parishes, dioceses, small-business and other non-profits. Recruit, train and coach +300 international Mission Directors and 1,100+ university students in the areas of economic development, small-business model analysis, budget & itinerary management, travel logistics, team management, and applicant interview/placement. Individually manage budgets and fundraising projects valuing $600,000, and over $3 million as a team. Conduct field surveys and interviews, data collection and analysis to understand and identify demand the economic and social impact of the missions. FOCUS Missions works to ensure each mission's viability and sustainability without putting excessive strain on departmental, organizational, or in-country resources. Monitor, maintain, and operate existing application and fundraising system processes. 3 Higher Power Energy Flower Mound, TX Director of International Relations A wind energy company - working together with passionate individuals to provide Green Energy to help protect our shared natural resources. Work with High Power Energy and our Brazilian partners to establish renewable power sources in Brazil. Manage all international relations and coordinate the projects in Brazil and other countries in South America. Tasks also include updating the company website, interpreting (English, Portuguese, and Spanish), translating documents, creating and giving presentations, working with legal parties and the Texas Secretary of State and the Brazilian Consulate, and coordinating international conferences.

4 4 Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Project Manager Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory - Department of Electrical Engineering Responsibilities include project management, data entry, accounting, budget analysis, PR, importing/exporting equipment, grant writing, organizing international students internships/ scholarships, organizing international summits/ seminars, and updating the department website. Tasks also include interpreting (English, Portuguese, and Spanish), translating documents and scholarly articles, and orienting visiting professors and students. Related Skills and Abilities Read, write, and speak fluent: English (native language), Spanish (native language), and Portuguese Read, write, and speak Japanese at the intermediate level Currently learning beginners French Skillful user of Windows and Mac operating systems, and Microsoft Office Skillful user of SPSS, SAS, STELLA, STATA, and R Studio. Awards/ Honors Summer Pre-Doctoral Institute Fellow University of Illinois 2012 o Participated in an independent study conducting research on Brazil s soy and corn industries o Participated in the following seminars: Research Methodologies; Scientific and Technical Writing Skill Building; Technical research development; Oral presentation skills development Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar to Brazil National Science Foundation Research Fellowship 2009 o Research Experience for Undergraduates: Economics o Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida o Conducted research, using SAS on the disposition of juveniles in out-of-home care and how it plays an important role in the rate of recidivism. Estimating that studying crime and diversion programs within a human capital framework may be useful, for given the fact that there are large social costs of crime, even small reductions in crime associated with education and diversion are economically important and an effective crime-fighting strategy. o Worked with health economists, ran regressions, and worked on different health issues. o Observed and worked with youth in juvenile residential homes and foster care. o Volunteered at Pinellas Hope, a tent city homeless shelter. Sister Cities International Fellow to Japan Seminar/ Conference International Farm and Agribusiness Management Association Conference 2014 Paper accepted in Cape Town, South Africa on Total Factor Productivity of Safrinha Succession Cropping Systems in Mato Grosso, Brazil. Participated in the Student Business Case Study Competition.

5 5 International Agronomy Day University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2013 Montesdeoca, K., & P. D. Goldsmith. (2013). The Economics of Soybeans: Macro and Micro Perspectives The Safrinha Miracle International Farm and Agribusiness Management Association Conference 2013 Participated in the Student Business Case Study Competition in Atlanta, Georgia, USA The Illinois Agricultural Leadership Group National Agricultural Policy Seminar 2013 Montesdeoca, K., & P. D. Goldsmith. (2013). Safrinha Technology: The Rise of Tropical Corn Production 23rd annual Children's Mental Health Research and Policy Conference 2010 Robst, J., Dollard, N., Armstrong, M.I. & Montes de Oca, K. (2010). Justice-involved youth with mental health needs: We know more than we think. Presented at the 23rd annual Children's Mental Health Research and Policy Conference. Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. Volunteer experience St. John s Catholic Newman Center Soup Kitchen Work together with students to provide food for the homeless. SOLAR Meninos de Luz - Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil A non-profit organization devoted to promoting formal education, in addition to culture, sports and basic health care in the communities Pavão-Pavãozinho and Cantagalo in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Work with other university students and fellow Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars to create a positive educational environment for youth and adults. Taught English through music; how to create better infrastructure for housing and personal life; how to improve food, water, and personal hygiene, and mentored at-risk youth. Pisco Sin Fronteras Pisco, Peru 2011 A volunteer disaster reconstruction organization that works in and around the city of Pisco, Peru. PSF works to improve the living conditions of families affected by the earthquake by building and improving homes. Worked with the project management coordinators, community developers, structural engineers, and architects to build houses. Taught English classes to children and adults. Assisted the organization s Finance/ Account Manager. Habitat for Humanity- New Orleans, LA 2007 Cleaned up debris from Hurricane Katrina. Worked with construction tools to build houses.

6 References available upon request. 6