The Fronterra Core Team

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Juan Carlos is the Founder and general manager of Fronterra.

A Peruvian national passionate about development and international cooperation, Juan Carlos has spent the last 14-Years in the European private sector building partnerships in development & climate finance between for-profit/non-profit organisations and governments in Latin-America.  

Juan Carlos started his carrier as junior originator at the Danone Fund for Nature and the Peruvian leading NGO AIDER as Business Development Manager. 

JC is also a former founding-team member and Latam Director for the Althelia Climate Fund (ACF), the pioneer climate & natural capital investment fund success story, today part of Mirova/Natixis Investment Managers.  

Juan Carlos has supported the creation of TotalEnergies Nature-Based Solutions business unit as Senior Project Developer.

Most recently, JC was the co-founder of The Shared Wood Company.

Contact Juan Carlos at juan@fronterra.eco 

Patricia serves as Senior Advisor and Head of Public Affairs at Fronterra.

Patricia is one of the most well-known and accomplished conservation  executives in Peru. A co-founder of Peru's Ministry of Environment, she was part of the group of experts who designed it, and then became Chief of Staff of the first minister Mr. Antonio Brack Egg during all his tenure.

With a vast experience of 30+ years in the sector, she is also a former Executive Director of CIMA, one of the most accomplished Latam conservation NGOs, and is currently a board member. 

Patricia has also a vast experience as former advisor and consultant in sustainable development, nature conservation and international cooperation for USAID, GIZ, HIVOS Netherlands, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ILO, the Peruvian National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (CONFIEP), the Peruvian Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, among others. 

Patricia also served as: 

• President of the Board of Directors of the Fund of the Americas, the Peru - USA Debt for Nature Swap Fund;
• Director of the Peruvian Environmental Network (RAP, in Spanish); 
• Advisory Council of the World Bank Forest Investment Program (FIP) - National Forest Program of Peru.

Patricia is currently Senior advisor and head of public affairs at Fronterra, as well as Vice-President of the Peruvian Institute of Business and Human Rights (IPEDHU), Executive Advisor of WomenCEO Peru, and member of IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas and Education and Communication. 

Patricia is also part of AXA IM Alts’ Natural Capital

Advisory Panel, providing advice on matters related to their natural capital strategy.

Contact Patricia at patricia@fronterra.eco

Lucio is Fronterra's geoscience & remote sensing chief scientist. 

Lucio holds an MSc in Geoenvironment/Georisk (Université de Marne-la-Vallée) and an MSc in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier) and is a former professor at Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina in Lima, Peru.

Lucio has 11+ years of experience in GIS and Remote Sensing applied to Earth and environmental sciences, with strong expertise in environmental and georisk monitoring and in the development and implementation of REDD+ projects.

He began his career in Peru supporting government authorities with environmental monitoring and project impact assessments. He later joined AIDER, a leading Peruvian NGO, where he developed, monitored, and implemented REDD+ initiatives in Peru’s dry forest and rainforest.

More recently, as part of the SERVIR Amazonia Programme (NASA/USAID) and Conservación Amazónica (ACCA), he worked as a GIS & Remote Sensing specialist, using cloud computing and machine learning to produce land use/land cover (LULC) studies and to monitor natural and anthropogen impacts across the entire Amazon basin.

At Fronterra, Lucio leads the GIS and remote sensing practice for REDD+ development and operations and for Afforestation/Reforestation projects, including forest cover mapping, historical LULC change analysis, unplanned deforestation risk mapping, jurisdictional forest reference emissions levels, and national baseline quota allocation.

Contact Lucio at lucio@fronterra.eco

Carlos is our Peru Country Chair and head of the Conservation programme.

Carlos is an Engineer in Ecology of Tropical Forests, specialized in management and planning of protected areas and other conservation modalities, especially in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest. 

Carlos worked as protected areas management specialist at the Peruvian National Service for Natural Protected Areas (SERNANP), working in protected areas management, forest & wildlife monitoring, control & surveillance of territory, and management of conservation participatory processes with native and farmers' communities and local governments. 

From SERNANP, Carlos also brings a very valuable experience in the monitoring and implementation of financial sustainability mechanisms for natural protected areas, and the development, implementation and evaluation of natural protected areas territorial planning.

Carlos started his career at the Missouri Botanical Garden-Peru in Oxapampa, focusing on monitoring of wild fauna and flora in the territory of the native communities in the buffer zone of the Yanesha Communal Reserve and Yanachaga Chemillén National Park.

Carlos joined Fronterra to lead the Forest Management, Biodiversity and Conservation Programme, which includes national and private conservation areas and others conservation modalities in Peru. 

Carlos is working on a wide portfolio of forest carbon projects (removals and REDD+), orchestrating them through the project development cycle, in close coordination with Fronterra's key local partners. 

Contact Carlos at carlos@fronterra.eco

Alejandra is Fronterra's ESG & Impact value creation Manager.
 

Alejandra is an economist from the University of Bordeaux and holds a Master’s in Social Sciences from the University of Paris–Sorbonne, specializing in local economic analysis and the transformation of socio-environmental conflicts.

Before joining Fronterra, she worked as a Project Coordinator at Insuco-Peru, a Social Conflict Analyst at Peru’s Prime Minister’s Office (Secretariat of Social Management and Dialogue), and a Project Officer managing the CISAL Fund of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In this role, she supported mining regions in Peru (Ancash and Cusco) and Colombia (Antioquia and La Guajira), overseeing the selection and financing of 160 initiatives led by entrepreneurs and local associations to generate shared value beyond mining activities.

Alejandra brings strong experience in multi-stakeholder dialogue in complex social settings, conflict analysis and resolution methods, and ESG performance assessment and project management aligned with IFC Sustainability Performance Standards for large natural resource projects.

At Fronterra, she serves as ESG Manager, leading the company’s ESG policy and management system across offices and projects to ensure compliance and excellence, supported by an evidence-based social and environmental impact framework for target-setting, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting.

Contact Ale at alejandra@fronterra.eco 

Valeria serves as an ESG Analyst at Fronterra.

She holds a degree in Anthropology from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú. Throughout her academic career, Valeria has developed a robust foundation in qualitative research methodologies and the analysis of social dynamics. Her experience primarily focuses on cultural initiatives and public management. She has participated in designing artistic-educational projects and mediating with diverse audiences and has been actively involved in initiatives promoting food security aimed at sustainable and community-focused development.

At Fronterra, Valeria contributes to the social and environmental analysis of projects, bringing a critical and contextual perspective to facilitate responsible decision-making. She also plays a role in strengthening the organisation's ESG framework and supporting impact reporting processes.

Valeria is passionate about generating meaningful impact through applied research and collaborative work, motivated by working within a team that shares the conviction that climate change cannot be effectively addressed without social justice. Beyond her professional life, Valeria enjoys swimming, painting, and engaging in creative processes as alternative ways to experience and connect with the world.

Contact Valeria at valeria@fronterra.eco

Juan joined Fronterra as senior Social Conflict Resolution Specialist.

  Juan De la Cruz is a seasoned social scientist specialized in conflict resolution and social intervention with farmers and native communities in the Andes Amazon region.

With deep experience in natural resources conflicts in Peru, he has worked in development projects for the Peruvian government and private companies (cocoa cooperatives, foreign investors, USAID-funded projects, Ministry of Agriculture, State owned companies in the water, fisheries, and agricultural sectors, etc.) to ensure social conflict prevention and community engagement in support of the interventions. 

Juan demonstrated through his career a true empathy for people and has been able to resolve severe social conflicts, for the benefit of social peace and the realization of development projects for the benefit of communities. 

Contact Juan at cruz@fronterra.eco

Rai Fajardo is a Junior Geomatician at Fronterra.

Rai holds a degree in Renewable Natural Resources Engineering from Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva, where he later specialized in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Remote Sensing, and programming applied to natural resources.

He has contributed to conservation and carbon sequestration projects with the NGO AIDER, including NII KANITI and Bosques Vivos para Siempre, aligned with Verra certification standards. He also participated in the CloudSEN 12 v2 project, strengthening his skills in geospatial analysis and modeling.

In parallel, Rai worked as a freelance GIS applications specialist, building proficiency in JavaScript, Python, R, HTML, and CSS, and further developing capabilities in data management, thematic cartography, and drone operations.

Outside of work, he enjoys basketball, chess, and athletics, and aims to broaden his international experience through further studies or professional opportunities abroad.

As a Junior Geomatician at Fronterra, Rai provides technical support for the collection and analysis of geospatial data, using mapping, spatial analysis, and remote sensing to support REDD+ projects. His role includes assisting with report preparation, producing thematic maps, and updating geodatabases, combining his interest in technology with a commitment to sustainable natural resource management and practical environmental solutions.

Contact Rai at rai@fronterra.eco

Iris is a Commercial & Administrative Assistant at Fronterra.

Currently completing her final year in Accounting at Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas (UPC), Iris brings valuable experience from nearly a decade of commercial, accounting, and administrative roles.

Before joining Fronterra, she served for over nine years at Importaciones Rubi SA, a prominent Peruvian enterprise specialising in wholesale and retail sales of high-quality home appliances.

In her previous role as Commercial Assistant, Iris was responsible for comprehensive inventory analysis, data-driven reporting, and optimising pricing strategies across various online and physical sales channels. Iris also expertly managed procurement processes through SAP Business One, overseeing everything from product creation and inventory management to invoicing and rebate control.

Her earlier role as Accounting Assistant strengthened her meticulous approach to financial document management, operational auditing, and inventory control. Iris combines strong analytical capabilities with a proactive approach to problem-solving and process optimisation.

At Fronterra, Iris contributes her analytical skills and operational expertise, supporting the commercial and administrative functions to ensure streamlined processes and sustainable business practices. Iris is proficient in advanced Excel, SAP, and several accounting platforms, enabling her to maintain high efficiency and accuracy in all her responsibilities.

Contact Iris at administracion@fronterra.eco

Flora serves as a Community Management Specialist at Fronterra.

Flora holds a Bachelor’s degree in Primary Education from Universidad Nacional San Antonio Abad del Cusco, along with postgraduate studies in Municipal Public Management and Educational Psychology. She also holds certifications in Governance, Political Management, Organizational Coaching, and Public Policy.

Flora brings over a decade of experience implementing and managing social, productive, and environmental projects, with a strong background in education, gender equality, and community leadership. Her areas of specialization include intercultural bilingual education, organizational coaching, human rights, and gender development.

Before joining Fronterra, she worked at Cáritas Arquidiocesana del Cusco as a Gender and Community Organization Specialist. In this role, she promoted community leadership, updated community management tools, and delivered tailored training programs for local authorities and women leaders, with a focus on emotional literacy and gender equality.

Fluent in Quechua and proficient with educational and organizational technology tools, she is well equipped to lead culturally sensitive community initiatives.

At Fronterra, she supports inclusive and sustainable community development within ARR projects.

Contact Flora at flora@fronterra.eco

Benito is our Community Forestry and Value Chains Specialist

Benito is a highly respected figure in the field of sustainable agricultural development in Peru, with over a decade of hands-on experience in agroforestry, livestock management, and rural entrepreneurship. He has played a key role in various impactful environmental and community development projects across the country.

With his background as a Technical Agricultural Business Administrator and Zootechnician, Benito has been instrumental in promoting sustainable practices in forestation, guinea pig farming, and pasture cultivation. His work spans several districts in Peru, where he has collaborated with local communities to foster environmental conservation while enhancing their economic development.

In addition, Benito has contributed to numerous projects aimed at environmental restoration and climate change mitigation, including leading the "Más Árboles Bonos de Carbono" (More Trees Carbon Credits) project in 2023.

Benito’s experience extends to agricultural education, having participated in various training programs on topics such as sustainable potato farming, climate change adaptation, and public management. His expertise in rural savings, community entrepreneurship, and sustainable livestock practices makes him a well-rounded expert in the field.

Contact Benito at benito@fronterra.eco

Isabella is a ESG Junior Analyst at Fronterra.

Isabella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina (UNALM). Her academic work included research on green infrastructure, climate change, and territorial resilience, complemented by training in climate action planning and applied ecological research through the REPU Urban Ecology Internship at The University of Texas at Austin.

She has worked across conservation, climate governance, disaster risk management, and urban sustainability. As a park ranger at the Santuario Nacional de Ampay, she supported environmental education, glacier monitoring, and community engagement. She also contributed to disaster risk scenario analysis at Peru’s National Institute of Civil Defense (INDECI) and conducted urban research at Lima Cómo Vamos, focusing on environmental indicators, data systematization, and participatory processes.

Isabella is driven by the connection between science, territory, and public policy to strengthen socio-ecological resilience and advance climate action that is rigorous, community-centered, and grounded in justice.

At Fronterra, she supports the environmental dimension of ESG projects through risk and impact analyses, environmental studies, and the preparation of management documents aligned with international standards, integrating scientific evidence and meaningful participation to enable responsible and equitable climate action.

Contact Isabella at esg_cusco@fronterra.eco

Maria is a Carbon Analyst at Fronterra.

She holds a degree in Forestry Engineering from the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), with a focus on forest economics and operations in southern Brazil, and a master’s degree in Wood, Forest, and Sustainable Development from AgroParisTech (France).

During her graduate studies, she gained exposure to European forest management models and strengthened her data analysis skills in R and Python.

Her professional background is rooted in technical and analytical forestry work., including restoration of degraded areas and the application of GIS technologies. She has also worked on carbon project certification processes, specifically in Consultation and Free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), conducting developer due diligence, performing land analysis for carbon projects, and building political, legislative, and socio-environmental databases.

Outside of work, she enjoys pottery, reading, and outdoor activities such as kayaking and running.

At Fronterra, she works as a Carbon Analyst, organizing Project Design Documents (PDDs) for conservation and restoration initiatives. She is driven by the belief that effective environmental projects must be inclusive, ensuring local communities both benefit from and actively participate in conservation and restoration efforts.

Contact Maria at biodiversity@fronterra.eco

Alonso joined Fronterra as a Project Finance Analyst.

He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola and a specialization in Private Project Evaluation & Project Finance from Pacífico Business School.

Alonso has worked mostly across the energy sector, including roles at Statkraft, supporting the development of greenfield solar and wind projects through project-level cash-flow forecasting and project financing structuring, and at Stork (now part of Bilfinger SE), where he developed experience in treasury/FP&A, liquidity management, and performance reporting.

Having spent most of his teenage years living abroad, Alonso has long been driven by the idea of giving back to Peru through volunteer work with social and nature-positive impact organizations. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis, going for motorcycle rides, and watching documentaries on physics and astronomy.

Alonso joined Fronterra to contribute to turning greenfield nature-based solutions into investor-ready opportunities. In his current role, his challenge is to deliver robust models, valuations, and scenarios that support investment decisions and scale long-term, measurable impact with financial discipline.

Contact Alonso at project_finance@fronterra.eco

Davis is the HSE/SSOMA Supervisor at Fronterra.

David holds a degree in Industrial and Commercial Engineering from ESAN University, with additional training in project management under the PMI approach, integrated management systems, occupational health and safety (HSE/SSOMA), process improvement, and continuous improvement methodologies such as 5S. He holds certifications in ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 standards.

He has more than 10 years of professional experience in operations, projects and integrated management systems across various sectors, including agribusiness, chemical industry, services and aviation. He has held leadership positions in which he has achieved improvements in productivity, cost reduction and process optimisation.

David is passionate about sport, having played futsal and baseball competitively. He has a strong interest in projects with social and environmental impact and has participated in volunteer work and community activities both in Peru and Japan.

At Fronterra, his mission is to apply all his personal and professional experience to ensure compliance with HSE/SSOMA measures and the ESG standards required by Fronterra’s projects.

Contact David at hse@fronterra.eco

Aurélien serves as a Junior R&D Engineer at Fronterra

He is currently completing an Ecology Engineering degree at AgroParisTech, with an academic focus on natural habitat management and conservation planning for high-value ecosystems. He has developed skills in species distribution modeling and quantitative data analysis to assess ecosystem responses to environmental change and anthropogenic pressures.

During an early internship in protected areas in Madagascar, he contributed to applied biodiversity research and strengthened his proficiency with technical tools such as R and QGIS. Driven by an interest in innovative financing for conservation, he then spent a gap year in this field—first helping agri-businesses engaged in agroecological transition access public R&D funding, and later joining RESTORE to support the development of private, results-based biodiversity financing mechanisms.

A committed nature enthusiast, Aurélien believes impactful environmental action depends on both scientific rigor and strong human connections, and he values learning through diverse cultural experiences.

Outside of work, he enjoys trekking and running.

At Fronterra, he supports biodiversity-focused applied research within the Sumaq Allpa project, assessing the impacts of pine afforestation on native flora regeneration while contributing to the company’s R&D efforts and biodiversity MRV system. In parallel, he helps steer ecological management within the Sierra del Divisor project to support the issuance of high-integrity biodiversity certificates.

Contact Aurelien at research@fronterra.eco