YADIRA RODRIGUEZ 

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

• Exceptional skills in critical academic research and writing with strong academic background in drug policy issues demonstrated in more than five years of experience with the Colombian government and NGO’s.

• Experience in political, economic and social country analysis.

• Outstanding interpersonal relations as evidenced by experience in events coordination, public relations and outreach with government officials, NGO’s, media and the private sector.

• Native Spanish speaker, fluent in verbal and written English and intermediate in written and spoken French.

• Technical proficiency includes MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, Mac, Access, and SPSS.

 

EDUCATION

 

Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver                                                                                                         Denver, CO

M. A. International Security  GPA 3.73/4.0                                                                                                                     September 2012- June 2014

Home land Security Certificate

RC: Intelligence and National Security; Strategic Intelligence, Data Collection and Analysis; Security and Defense Analysis Methods; U.S. National Security; Major Issues in International Security; Homeland Security, Civil Liberties, and Human Rights.

 

Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL)                                                                                                                                            Denver, CO

Community Awareness Program (CAP) Instructor                                                                                                                                         March, 2014

 

Rosario University                                                                                                                                                                                    Bogotá, Colombia

B.A: International Relations.  Concentration: Political Science                                                                                            July 2002- December 2007

 

Concordia University                                                                                                                                                                                Montreal, Canada Study Abroad: Political Science                                                                                                                                                               September 2006

 

Community Awareness Program (CAP) Instructor. Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL)                                                  March, 2014.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

American Red Cross Mile High Chapter/ National Headquarters                                                                                       Denver, CO/Washington, DC Caseworker and Outreach Volunteer International Services                                                                                                          March 2013-Present

• Developed an internal outreach plan to make the organization more effective by enhacing collaboration among different areas.

• Support international tracing cases by using investigative techniques to find relatives of families affected by disaster, conflict, or humanitarian crisis.

• Present, support, and coordinate events directed to American Red Cross staff, for increasing their knowledge in international issues.

• Collaborate with Communications to develop and execute plans for marketing and outreach of Lunch & Learns through social media, blogging, newsletters, etc.

• Translated more than six official documents from different immigrant rights organizations for the international event “Humanitarian Action Across Borders: Immigration in the Americas.” 

• Outreach activities with the Latin American community to generate more awareness of the Red Cross services.

• Support in solving Restoring Family Links cases of people from Democratic Republic of Congo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Iraq and other countries.

• Presentation and awareness among American Red Cross members about the situation in Colombia and other issues related to International Humanitarian Law.

 

Atlantic Council                                                                                                                                                                                             Washington, DC

Research Intern Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center                                                                                                     September - December 2014

• Researched and designed a strategy for launching the new initiative of “Women Leaders in Latin America.”

• Wrote an analytical document regarding Uruguay’s elections and the perspectives for the new government.

• Researched and wrote a paper about the Colombian peace process and its current developments.

• Event recapitulation writing “Latin America is Ripe for Social Impact Investment.”

 

Denver Council of Foreign Relations                                                                                                                                                               Denver, CO     Assistant to the Executive Director                                                                                                                                        September 2013-June 2014

• Supported event logistics and coordination of monthly meetings and public relations with members.

•  Managed membership portfolio and Foreign Affairs subscriptions.

• Researched for new guests speakers and logistics arrangement during their visits.

• Supported newsletters publications and updated and posted events and information in social media.

• Managed fundraising activities, evaluation and planning

 

Drug Policy Alliance                                                                                                                                                                                               Denver, CO

Research and Latin American Intern, Colorado                                                                                                                             June - November 2013

• Researched and analyzed information regarding the relation of the War on Drugs and deportation rates within the Latino community in the U.S.

• Outreached with immigration advocacy organizations, participating as a representative of a partner organization in marches, political lobbying, rallies, and in general meetings.

• Supported logistical activities related to the International Drug Policy Reform Conference which is hold yearly with more than 1,500 participants from countries all over the world.

• Planned and organized with the American Friendship Society Committee a workshop session “Immigration and the War on Drugs: See you at the intersection!”           

 

Josef Korbel School of International Studies                                                                                                                                                   Denver, CO

Research Assistant, Professor Aaron Schneider                                                                                                                September- December 2012

• Proofread the Spanish translation of the book “State-Building and Tax Regimes in Central America” providing recommendations for improving grammar while maintaining original writing style.      

 

UNICEF and National Accountability Office (Procuraduría General de la Nación)                                                                               Bogotá, Colombia

Associate Coordinator                                                                                                                                                                             January-July 2012

• Developed a general framework for evaluators reviewing governmental reports ensuring accountability for childhood and youth rights.

• Worked as part of a team to reach agreement about how to consistently evaluate governmental accountability reports.

• Analyzed qualitative data for the final evaluation document.

• Utilized attention to detail to support the final’s report proofreading and editing.        

 

 

Professor Rensselaer (Rens) W. Lee. President Global Advisory Services                                                                                        Bogotá, Colombia

Research Assistant                                                                                                                                                                      September-October 2011

• Researched and analyzed information related to bilateral political and trade Chinese- Colombian relations.

• Contacted and scheduled appointments with governmental officers and institutions including the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Proexport, Colombo-Chinese Trade Office, Cormagdalena and Externado University professors.

 

National Anti-Narcotics Agency (DNE), Minister of Interior and Justice                                                                                              Bogotá, Colombia

Researcher for the Strategic and Investigations Division                                                                                              January 2010-September 2011

• Analyzed, outlined, and translated the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report –INCSR on money laundering and financial crimes regarding smuggling of merchandise through the formal financial system using trade in Colombia.

• Researched and analyzed bilateral relations between Colombia and the United States including analysis of the US National Security Policy in counternarcotics affairs and Plan Colombia.

• Coauthored two economic studies measuring the direct spending of drugs in Colombia by analyzing counternarcotic expenses from 32 states and their capitals.

• Coauthored the Colombian Drug Observatory’s actions and results by giving content regarding the international commitments and editorial support.

• Prepared documents for the participation of the Colombian delegation in international forums in the United Nations, Organization of American States, Southern Common Market, Andean Community (among others).

• Tracked international commitments to ensure appropriate follow-up by the Colombian government.

• Supported international events coordination in multilateral forums such as the Cooperation Program on Drug Policies between Latin America and the European Union (COPOLAD). .

• Designed the order of the content of the national and international publications in the Colombian Drug Observatory’s web page, gathering of campaigns for consumption prevention and distribution of printed publications.

 

Electronic Center of Languages                                                                                                                                                                Bogotá, Colombia

Bilingual Project Coordinator                                                                                               March 2009-December 2009; September-December 2011

• Designed and coordinated a project for the instruction of civil servants from the National Security Administrative Department.

• Financial management of a $100,000 dollar three month budget designed for the project.

• Coordinated activities and expenses in multiple cities during three months of instruction, including transportation, lodging and other supplies for teachers.

• Lobbied for support from political representatives for the Bilingualism Project development.

               

Lights & Controls Ltda.                                                                                                                                                                               Bogotá, Colombia

Manager                                                                                                                                                                                   January 2008- January 2009

• Managed a monthly budget of $8,000 dollars.

•  Administered inventory of electrical supplies with more than 1,000 product labels.

• Improved customer services processes by increasing publicity of the company in the web, by phone and with personal visits.

 

Research Center and Observatory on Drugs and Crime (CEODD)

Faculty of Economy, Rosario University                                                                                                                                                   Bogotá, Colombia Research Assistant                                                                                                                                                                    January - September 2007

• Examined international commitments related to drug consumption in Colombia and its application in the national level.

• Participated in national forums for drug production prevention via alternative development.

 

VOLUNTEERING    

 

Denver Women in International Security                                                                                                                                                            Denver, CO

Events Officer                                                                                                                                                                            September 2012-June 2014

• Coordination of the events “Breaking the Fire and Flood Cycle” with the participation of members from the Red Cross, FEMA and the Denver County. “Breakfast with Women in Security” and “Cybersecurity and the Protection of Critical Infrastructure” with the participation of three FBI agents.

• Supported the “Legalization in Colorado & The International Drug War” series of events by bringing as a key note speaker Francisco Thoumi one of the members of the United Nations Narcotics Control Board.

 

Colorado Emergency Preparedness Partnership (CEPP)                                                                                                                                  Denver, CO

Volunteer                                                                                                                                                                                                 January - May 2013

• Interviewed representatives from the public and private sector like the Regional Director of Preparedness American Red Cross, Mile High Region.

• Created of press releases for the company’s web page.

• Support in event logistics and public relations.

 

OTHER TRAINING

American Red Cross                                                                                                                                                                                

Disaster Action Team Traning                                                                                                                                                                             June, 2015

Born on the Battlefield                                                                                                                                                                               September 2014

International Humanitarian Law - Humanity in the Midst of War.                                                                                                             January, 2014

Restoring Family Links Caseworker                                                                                                                                                                March, 2013

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Online Courses.

 

• IS-00022 Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness. January 25th, 2014.

• IS-00700.a National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction. January 19th, 2014.

• IS-00800.b National Response Framework, An Introduction. January13th, 2014.

• IS-00200.b ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incident, ICS-200. October 1st, 2013.

• IS-00100.b Introduction to Incident Command System ICS-100. September 14th, 2013.