
Principal Investigator
PhD in Community Economic Development with about 30 years of experience with EDA economic development projects. Dr. Santiago provides technical assistance to nonprofits on how to overcome technical (administrative) difficulties they are striving and in addition helps EDA potential grantees on satisfying grant-readiness issues, and provides guidance on how to satisfy requirements in the agency’s application forms. Dr. Santiago is a credited GPC (Grant Professional Certified) by the Grants Professionals Certification Institute ( www.grantcredential.org). He is the co-author of Grant Writing Manual for Community Economic Development Projects, the only Spanish guide in Puerto Rico, locally authored and published by the Business and Economic Development Center at UPR Mayaguez
Email: david.santiago8@upr.edu

Intern IBEDC Director, Co-Principal Investigator
Doctor Moraima De Hoyos-Ruperto is a Professor at the School of Business Administration (BA) of the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez (UPRM). She obtained a doctoral degree in Management at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. De Hoyos-Ruperto is a faculty member, researcher and Principal Investigator (PI)- Director in the Business and Economic Development Center (BEDC) of the UPRM, and currently she is offering courses within the minor of Entrepreneurial Development that is offered by the UPRM-BA and MBA programs. She has been an Instructor Professor of various initiatives led by the P.R. Trade Office, and she also has been a private consultant for various enterprises for more than 20 years. She has participated in various research activities that include studies about the factors that are hindering the entrepreneurial environment in P.R, how to promote the commercialization at the university, and how to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem with the university serving as a host.
Email: moraima.dehoyos1@upr.edu

Co-Principal Investigator
My name is Ricardo R. Fuentes-Ramírez, and I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics. I studied Economics as an undergraduate here at UPR-Mayagüez, and later completed my PhD in Economics at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. My two main areas of interest are Economic Development Policy and the Social and Solidarity Economy.
Email: ricardo.fuentes1@upr.edu

She is the University Center administrative officer where she provides administrative support to the director in fiscal areas and grants management. She has extensive experience and knowledge in providing technical support regarding grants management, including the EDA grant to the University Center. She provides all the administrative support to the team regarding the on-time preparation of accounting/fiscal reports required during the post approval grant’s management and to accelerate the request of the award funds.

Project Manager
I am Alexxa T. González Rivera, a graduate student from the Faculty of Business Administration. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA with a concentration in Industrial Management. My educational background includes a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez, where I majored in Finance and minored in Operations Management. In addition to my studies, I currently serve as a Project Manager at NPO-SIED, where I have gained valuable experience and insights. It has been an enriching journey that complements my academic pursuits.
Email: alexxa.gonzalez1@upr.edu

Co-Project Manager’s Assistant
Nalli Sierra Vega my role is Business Administrator I graduated from the Universidad del Atlántico in Barranquilla, Colombia. Currently a master’s student in Administration with an emphasis on Human Resources, with solid knowledge in administrative management.
Email: nalli.sierra@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
My name is Lina Ballestas Rangel, a graduate student, and I am in my second year of master’s in business administration. My passion for marketing has led me to explore this discipline’s strategic and creative aspects. I am very grateful to be part of the NPO-SIED team. This experience has broadened my knowledge and has been an invaluable source of new skills and abilities that I am sure will be crucial throughout my professional career.
Email: linaliceth.ballestas@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
My name is Laura Vanessa Herrera Cruz, I am an industrial engineer and a master’s graduate student. I am in my third year. My research area is additive manufacturing, I have experience working in areas such as planning, manufacturing, business models and I like to work with proposals. I love working with non-profit organizations and I’m grateful to be part of the NPO-SIED project.
Email: laura.herrera@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
My name is Alan Valle Monagas, my concentration is in Caribbean literature in English.
Email: alan.valle@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
Mechanical engineering professional, MBA candidate, and entrepreneur, who contributes as a graduate intern at NPO-SIED and serves as acting executive director at Evolving Space. His expertise spans from mechanical and creative design to software project management, underscoring his multifaceted skill set in navigating and leading projects within technology and design domains. At Evolving Space, his leadership, and technical acumen drive initiatives aimed at fostering Web3, blockchain, and AI technologies, demonstrating his commitment to advancing these fields through education and community engagement.
Email: edgar.cruz2@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
My name is Jelvis David Miranda Pardo, I am a financial administrator, and I am currently a master’s student in business administration at the university of puerto rico and my area of concentration is finance. I have had experience in accounting, finance and payroll in the health sector, transportation, commercial and other services. I work creating documents financial statements
and fundraising for NPOs. I am proud to be part of NPO-SIED for all that it represents for my personal and professional development.
Email: jelvisdavid.miranda@upr.edu

Undergraduate Intern
Greetings, I am Patricia Miranda, an undergraduate student pursuing my studies focusing on English literature. I’m in my third year at university, and I specialized training in technical and scientific writing, Also Certified in Proposal Writing and Strategic Events Organizer at the Mayagüez University Campus. Beyond my primary concentration area, I have diversified my academic pursuits with three minor concentrations in business development, marketing, and business administration. Additionally, I serve as the webmaster of our NPO-SIED website and also a content creator. Besides I’m in charge of working on all information, analysis, and statistics within the website. Also creating documents, guides, presentations, and fundraising for NPOs. I am excited to be part of this project this semester and eager to expand my knowledge and apply my skills effectively.
Email: patricia.miranda@upr.edu

Graduate Intern
I am Camila Paredes Mora, a lawyer, who graduated from the Faculty of Law and Political Science of the University of Nariño in Colombia. I am currently a student of the master’s in business administration at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez campus. I have diploma courses in labor law, commercial and corporate law, finance, and basic accounting, and I feel very fortunate to be part of the NPO SIED project.
Email: inty.paredes@upr.edu