Emily has been part of the CEPAD family for 10 years. We wanted to  introduce you to her and hear about her past and the goals she has for the  future of the organization.

History and Experience with CEPAD

My family was familiar with CEPAD back when it was founded. In the late 80s we participated in some training workshops as well as the food and roofing help during that time…We met Dr. Gustavo Parajón in 2008 when we started attending the First Baptist Church of Managua. My dad already knew him, and we were familiar with CEPAD’s work.

At that time, I was in university studying  Business Administration. Toward the end of 2010, I heard Radio CEPAD had an opening, I applied, went through a variety of interviews, and they offered me the position. I started at the beginning of 2011 as the assistant administrator, but I always viewed the role as the Radio’s manager.

I graduated with my Business Administration degree in 2012 from the National Universidad in Managua. Profe Gilberto was my first boss. He was very direct. With him I studied everything about the radio, our programs, trainings, administration, and leadership.

I worked at Radio CEPAD for 6 years. Now I’m in my fourth year as CEPAD’s Financial Administrative Director (FAD), a role that involves managing accounting, human resources, budgets, and legal processes/paperwork.  When the position opened, I decided to apply, and thankfully God gave me the opportunity to step into this role and grow. I have been able to work more closely with Damaris Albuquerque, our Executive Director, and Evenor Jerez, our Programs and Projects Director. And now I’ve taken another step, another opportunity from God to continue growing, to become CEPAD’s Executive Director.

I studied in an Accounting and Staff Psychology program for two and a half years to earn a second degree, which I finished in 2015. That degree has helped me so much while I’ve been the Finance Director. I started this role just after completing the second degree and have been immersed in that world ever since.

Early in 2017 I did further studies in Marketing and Excel… then after that I began studying Theology & Pastoral Leadership through my church denomination.

Inspiration from past CEPAD leaders

One thing I’m very thankful for is that ever since I began working at CEPAD I’ve worked with Profe Aguirre, and I got to know Dr. Parajón for 3 years as well. My experiences with them changed how I thought about life. Then, once I began working as the FAD, I had the opportunity to work with Damaris and Evenor. These 4 leaders have been part of my journey and professional development in CEPAD. And I’ve learned a bit from each of them. 

The mix of the four of them has helped me understand who CEPAD is. As I think about these four leaders, I’ve captured some of their essence, who they are. What I’ve learned in CEPAD — and will help me in the future — is to take a bit from each of them. Dr. Parajon’s humility, Profe’s steadfastness, Damaris’ tenderness and love, and Evenor’s planning.

I hope I can always hold these 4 qualities. This is some of the legacy they leave. Their legacy is a challenge to us going forward, as we consider new staff and volunteers joining our ranks, we must share these qualities with them. These have been some experiences that have been and will be helpful as I serve as ED.

Looking toward the future

At an organizational level, I’m excited about some coming changes and new things. The pandemic made us take steps in technology. We were already advancing, getting more up-to-date, but not to the degree that we needed to. We need to continue to adapt and take steps.

As I start in this role, I hope to get to know all our partners and friends around the world. I know it will take time, but as a new director, I want people to know me and where I’m coming from. I want people to grow to trust me in the way they have trusted our past leaders. As these leaders built trust with our friends and faithful supporters, I hope to do the same. I hope our partners will continue walking with us, will continue to donate and support our work, so that we can continue too.

Another longer-term hope I have is to finish the construction project to build our new offices and center in Managua. This was a dream of Dr. Parajon’s from as far back as 2000. I hope CEPAD will have their own space, and a good place for visitors to come spend time with CEPAD. We hope the project will help us and will also serve our visitors from abroad. We must see this project through! We have so much hope, especially thanks to the supporters who have strongly supported the project.

And what do I hope for the communities? We hope to see change. In 2021 we’ll start working in 40 new communities where the people don’t know how to organize themselves and work together, or to manage their own development projects. These are communities where people need greater food security and can learn techniques to improve their nutrition and crops. Many communities have land, but don’t know how to best use it. We don’t want to arrive and impose ourselves, but rather teach and help people develop and grow as people, as farmers and as leader, so that their communities will develop.