OUR HISTORY
In 1964, a group of women inspired by Saint Josemaría Escrivá began to work with some low-income women from the Pavas community, with the aim of helping them improve their moral and human condition. With the experience and understanding of the difficult conditions of women in Pavas; began this great work, which since then, year after year has been growing to provide care to young and adult women in the area.
The name Surí is an indigenous word that means a tree with long branches that shade the birds. This symbolizes that people can approach the project to improve their life.
PURPOSE
Empower girls and women, in situations of vulnerability, from the Pavas community and its surroundings as agents of positive change in their families, in the environment in which they live and in society, by strengthening their human and technical development -professional offered at the High School and Training Center
VALUES
- Work well done
- Respect for the dignity of the person
- Spirit of service
- Personal freedom
- Christian vision of life
Our fundamental value is to teach how to do work well done, as the basis for self-improvement for our students and the means to serve others; the Christian sense of work, family and society is transmitted, inspired by the teachings of Saint Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer.
OUR TEAM
Mercedes Gallegos
Executive Director
Bachelor of Science in Education with a master’s in hospitality business administration. Joined in 2016 to Proyecto Suri, since then, Mercedes has worked with passion, contributing her vast experience in the private sector, and standing out with her leadership.
Lucía Zamora
Academic Director Surí High School
Lucía joined the Project in 2012. Master’s in educational administration and graduated from the Master Program in Management of Educational Centers from the Villanueva University in Spain. In addition, she has a degree in Psychology.
Sofía Jiménez
Director of Orientation
Sofía has eight years of experience in caring for adolescents and accompanying parents within the Surí Educational Project. Degree in Psychology with a master’s degree in Educational Administration. Always ready to encourage young women to follow their dreams and get ahead.
Montserrat Chaves
Training Center Coordinator
Studies in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance at the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica. With experience in managing virtual environments at the University of International Cooperation. She has collaborated in the Surí Project since 2017. Photography is her main hobby.
Sandra Ogaza
Administrative Coordinator
Degree in business administration. 11 years collaborating in the Administration of Suri Educational Project. Before working at Surí, he developed a lot of experience in the private sector and in personal ventures.
Gabriela Carazo
Fundraising & Communication
Advertiser, with an MBA and a Marketing postgraduate diploma from Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands. Experience in fast moving consumer goods, travel, real estate, retail and service industries. Thirty years of background in managerial positions in Costa Rica, Central America and Southeast Asia (Philippines). Currently developing alliances and activities for Surí
Milagro Reyes
Training Center Director
Psychologist with more of 15 years of experience working with population at social risk and promoting social projects.
Wendy Porras
Administrative assistant
Advertising Designer by profession, with studies in Business Administration, has a special ability for the personal attention of our students; always appealing to empathy and help from those who need it.
Jessica Calvo
Amigos Surí Coordinator
16 years of experience in the financial sector, in banking and pensions, at an operational and managerial level. For 5 years, as an independent professional as an Advisor in Asset Protection of people, and business continuity of companies. She brings administrative support to the Surí Educational Project since 2019, now coordinating Amigos Surí Association.
Rocío Siles
Receptionist Secretary
More than 10 years collaborating with Surí. University Professor – Secretariat Area, Boston-San José University College, 2004 to 2010. Bachelor’s Degree in Preschool Education, UCR.
Eglin López
Project Office Coordinator
More than 8 years of experience in the field of social projects and International Cooperation with emphasis in entrepreneuship, gender and education in Central America.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Julieta Rossi
President
José Pablo Mezarville
Vice President
Ana Victoria Sánchez
Secretary
María Eugenia Mata
Member
Teresita Alvarado
Member
PATRONAGE
Lina León Arguedas
President
Laura Vanessa Solano
Member
Vera Villalobos de Bolaños
Member
Carmen Moya de Alvarado
Treasurer
Isabel Betancourt de Muñoz
Secretary
Claudia Escobar
Member
PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS
