What first attracted you to work at HOT?

What initially drew me to HOT was my strong alignment with its mission. I deeply believe in the power of open geospatial data to generate community-driven territorial evidence. Even more powerful is the idea that communities themselves can create and use this data.

Access to information, and especially the ability to use it, often remains limited to a few, creating barriers that restrict meaningful civic participation in decision-making processes, particularly in environmental governance and disaster risk management. HOT actively works to break down these barriers, recognizing the transformative potential of citizen science and open data to foster more informed, engaged, and empowered communities.

Tell us a bit about how your career/personal journey led you to HOT.

I joined HOT in 2022 as part of the team that established the Latin America and Caribbean Hub. I initially worked in strategic support for project coordination across the LATAM region, where I was responsible for implementing monitoring and evaluation processes and helping launch projects to increase regional impact.

What is your current role at HOT, and how has it evolved?

Currently, I serve as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Specialist and Strategic Support lead for the Latin America and Caribbean team. In this role, I work closely with project managers to ensure smooth implementation, provide strategic guidance, and help maximize positive outcomes for the communities we serve.

I also contribute to fundraising efforts by supporting proposal development and fostering partnerships with both high-level stakeholders and grassroots organizations. My work sits at the intersection of strategy, learning, and impact.

What have been your biggest accomplishment(s) on your team?

Some of my colleagues jokingly call me “the eagle that sees everything,” a reference to the monitoring and evaluation system I developed for our team. Before this, there wasn’t a structured way to document and track project activities at this level.

This system, particularly the use of databases and knowledge management practices, has been pioneering within the team and has contributed to broader organizational learning. It has helped us build a “living memory” of our work, making it easier to share knowledge, track progress, and continuously improve our processes.

What are your goals in your role in the next 6-12 months?

In the coming months, I’m excited to participate in a training process focused on developing strong elevator pitch techniques. This is particularly valuable for my role in proposal development, as it will allow me to communicate our projects more effectively and persuasively to potential donors and partners.

Another key goal is to ensure the successful implementation of three projects currently underway in Colombia. These initiatives are especially meaningful to me, as I was involved in their initial design. They aim to support Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and displaced communities to conduct environmental monitoring for risk management and natural resource protection. Ensuring effective data use and providing technical support so that communities can create meaningful and actionable maps will be central to achieving lasting impact.

What’s the most unique part about working at HOT?

One of the most unique aspects of working at HOT is its incredible diversity. Being able to exchange ideas, project experiences, and opportunities with colleagues from so many different countries and regions makes the work deeply enriching. This constant cross-cultural collaboration not only broadens perspectives but also strengthens the impact of our work. It’s a truly special environment where learning is continuous and collective.

What’s a personal goal of yours that you're currently working on?

One of my lifelong dreams has been to have a small cabin surrounded by forest in the mountains of Costa Rica. It’s a simple vision, but incredibly meaningful to me as someone deeply connected to nature.

This year, I was able to make that dream a reality in La Pastora de Tarrazú—a place rich in biodiversity and conservation value, and even a passage for jaguars, the largest felines on the continent. Achieving this has been profoundly fulfilling. It feels like a gift to my inner child, who always dreamed of living close to nature.

Where are some of your bucket list travel locations?

I absolutely love traveling. One of my dreams is to visit Brazil in 2027 to attend the FIFA Women’s World Cup with my daughter and explore the beaches of Rio de Janeiro.

Beyond that, I’d love to travel through the Colombian Amazon, experience the Caribbean, and eventually visit islands in the Pacific. For me, travel is not just about destinations—it’s about connecting with cultures, nature, and new ways of seeing the world.

Learn more about Karla here.

Photo courtesy of Karla Picado Valverde