Staff

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas

Executive Director

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas holds a PhD in Management from Case Western Reserve University, with graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Carlow University. She joined the Latin American Studies Association in 2000 and has served as Executive Director since 2003. Originally from Peru, she is also a research associate at Case Western Reserve University and President of MaestroMeetings Inc. In 2019, she received the Carlow University Laureate Award for leadership and academic contribution.

Manuel Román-Lacayo

Deputy Director / Director of Operations

Manuel holds a B.A. from Harvard University and a PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a Heinz Fellowship in Latin American Archaeology. A former Fulbright Research Fellow, he served as Director of the National Museum of Nicaragua and held senior roles with USAID in Nicaragua and Guatemala. He also founded and coordinated the master’s program in Latin American Studies at the Universidad Americana in Managua. He returned to the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 as Assistant Director of the Center for Latin American Studies.

Ghisselle Blanco

Sections, Awards and Congress Logistics Coordinator

Ghisselle is an industrial engineer graduated from the Universidad de Costa Rica with extensive experience across public service, diplomacy, and international organizations. Her career includes roles in public banking, Executive Director of the Office of former President Oscar Arias Sánchez, advisor to Costa Rica’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works, and Minister Counselor for Economics at the Costa Rican Embassy in El Salvador. She has also advised the Costa Rican government through UNDP and, since 2017, has served as Coordinator of Sections and Awards at the Latin American Studies Association.

Anna Ruscalleda

Program Coordinator and Translator

Anna Ruscalleda is a translator and program coordinator at LASA. Originally from Barcelona, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Translation from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, specializing in Catalan, French, and Chinese, and is fluent in English and Spanish. She spent 13 years in China working with cultural organizations and in the private sector, managing an international trading company’s local business unit. She has lived and worked across three continents and brings strong cross-cultural experience to her role.

Deborah Cancel-Roman

Administrative Assistant

Deborah holds a B.A. in Psychology from Kent State University, graduating magna cum laude in 2016, with research focused on family studies among adolescent Latina mothers. Her professional experience includes administration, event coordination, and research in educational and international settings. She currently serves as Administrative Assistant for Event Rentals at the Latin American Cultural Center and as Office Manager for the Latin American Studies Association, supporting operations and international conferences.

Erin Gray

Latin American Research Review (LARR) Publications Coordinator

Erin received a B.A. from Taylor University and an MPH in International Health from Boston University. She worked in a range of professional environments, including universities, museums, and hospital systems, where she supported research activities and community health promotion efforts. Before joining LASA as the Publications Coordinator for LARR, she spent 14 years as a freelance copy editor, providing editorial support to numerous academic journals and scholarly publications.

Julieta Mortati

LASA Press and LASA Forum Manager

Julieta Mortati holds a B.A. in Literature from the University of Buenos Aires and is completing an M.A. in Latin American Literary Studies at the National University of Tres de Febrero. She is a publisher and founder of Tenemos las Máquinas and codirector of PAM!, editing over forty books and journals. Her award-winning work has gained international recognition, including invitations to Paris Book Week and Princeton University. She also coordinates continuing education courses in the Humanities at San Andrés University in Buenos Aires.

Vanessa Chaves

Communications

Vanessa Chaves, a native of Costa Rica, holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production, a master’s degree in Media, Peace, and Conflict Studies from the United Nations University for Peace, and an MPhil in Latin American Studies from the University of Oxford. A former journalist and television presenter, she joined LASA in 2017, where she coordinates media relations, produces promotional content, and hosts LASA’s annual Congresses. Her work bridges academic communities and broader audiences through strategic communication and public engagement.

Jason Dancisin

Graphic Designer

Jason is a branding and digital strategist with more than 30 years of experience in marketing, web design, and development. He works closely with nonprofits and foundations to clarify their message, strengthen their brand, and build effective digital platforms. Combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution, Jason helps mission-driven organizations communicate with clarity, consistency, and impact. His work focuses on aligning organizational goals with thoughtful design and user-centered digital solutions.

Lazaros Amanatidis

Director of Information Systems and Software Development

Lazaros Amanatidis is Director of Information Systems and Development at the Latin American Studies Association, where he designs and implements cost-effective solutions to support organizational decision-making. A native of Greece, he has Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Hellenic Open University and in Environmental Cartography from the University of the Aegean, and a Master’s degree in Financial Engineering from the University of the Aegean. Before joining LASA and LACC, Lazaros spent ten years as a software and database developer in Greece, specializing in database optimization, machine learning, and big data analytics.

John Meyers

Systems Analyst

John Meyers has over twenty years of experience as a Systems Analyst in the Computing Services and Systems Development department at the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied Computer Science. His work supported many university departments, including the Office of the Chancellor, General Counsel, Engineering, Biostatistics, Radiation Safety, and Student Affairs. He also served as a contractor for the Latin American Studies Association for 13 years, managing systems and servers, maintaining hardware and software, and developing internal and web-based applications, supported by ongoing Microsoft training and certifications.

Mirna Kolbowski

Financial Director

Mirna Kolbowski is Financial Administrator at the Latin American Studies Association (LASA). She is a Certified Public Accountant, holds a degree from the University of Buenos Aires, and earned a master’s in International Affairs with a concentration in Latin American Studies from Ohio University. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer at the United Police Federal Credit Union, the University of Maine at Augusta, and Kennebec Federal Savings and Loan, bringing extensive leadership experience in financial management.

Sharon Moose

Accountant

Sharon Moose is a Certified Public Accountant with seventeen years of experience in public and private accounting. She began her career as an auditor in Pittsburgh and later worked as a controller and payroll accountant in manufacturing and educational institutions. She has extensive experience in financial reporting, audits, and tax compliance. Sharon began working with the Latin American Studies Association in 2004 and currently serves as staff accountant, overseeing financial records, reconciliations, and interim and annual financial statements.

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas

President

Milagros Pereyra-Rojas has a PhD in Management (Designing Sustainable Systems) from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, an M.S. in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, an M.S. in Management and Technology and a B.S./B.A. both from Carlow University. She began working for the Latin American Studies Association as Assistant Director for Information Systems and Communications in 2000 and has been the Executive Director since 2003, She also serves as a research associate at Case Western Reserve University and is President of MaestroMeetings Inc, a subsidiary of LASA that organizes its annual meetings. She has published peer reviewed papers in journals and conference proceedings and is co-author of books on managerial decision making. In 2019, she received the Carlow University Laureate award in recognition of her leadership and contribution to the academic community. Milagros is a board member of the National Humanities Alliances (NHA), the Pittsburgh Historic Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) and the Chimbote Foundation (dedicated to providing support to the poor in Chimbote, Peru). She is originally from Peru where she worked as a journalist and for La Casa de la Mujer (House of Women)—a non-profit organization that promotes the rights of underprivileged women.

Melissa Raslevich

Project Manager

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. In nisi arcu, consequat in condimentum a, tempus sed metus. Nulla id enim egestas, faucibus erat quis, venenatis nisl. Quisque urna justo, laoreet non ullamcorper ut, vulputate id ex. Etiam pulvinar eleifend odio. Duis vitae vulputate nisi. Fusce vel nulla in leo rutrum consectetur vel eget tellus. Curabitur lobortis diam eu metus volutpat, convallis fringilla eros iaculis. Nullam et ultrices risus. Mauris vel congue quam. Nulla pulvinar, libero ac rhoncus vulputate, erat odio luctus lorem, nec ornare felis lacus convallis odio. Quisque faucibus in ex a euismod. Quisque ut massa tempor, ullamcorper ante porttitor, luctus massa. Etiam lacinia luctus est sit amet pulvinar.

Suspendisse quis convallis metus. Suspendisse vel arcu tempus, lacinia massa imperdiet, faucibus lorem. Suspendisse nec rhoncus urna, eu consequat felis. Duis eget dui risus. Suspendisse id feugiat tortor. Curabitur feugiat dictum ornare. Maecenas in sem quis mauris venenatis finibus. Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices.

Sandra Budd

Assistant Director and Curator

Sandra Budd holds an MFA from Carnegie Mellon University and is an interdisciplinary multimedia designer with extensive experience in large-scale museum exhibitions. She has served as Assistant Director and Curator since 2020, previously working at the Utah State University Eastern Prehistoric Museum and the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Her work includes managing complex exhibitions, advising on museum renovations and capital campaigns, and serving as a production lead on a major Hollywood film.

Bill DeWalt

Senior Advisor

Bill DeWalt holds a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Connecticut and had a distinguished academic career focused on human–environment relations in Latin America. He served as Director of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Pittsburgh and consulted for major international development organizations. DeWalt later led the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, raising over $50 million for major expansions, and became Founding President of the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
 
 

Sylvia Keller

Senior Advisor

Sylvia Keller holds a Master of Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. from Dickinson College, and completed the Getty Museum Leadership Institute. She brings thirty years of museum and nonprofit leadership experience. Keller served 17 years at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in senior roles, including Interim Director. She later led Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, professionalizing operations and securing funding, helped found the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, and has reviewed NSF Informal Science Education grants.