Orlando Bravo

Co-Founder & Chairman

Orlando was born and raised in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and he has focused his philanthropic efforts on improving economic and educational outcomes for residents of the island. As Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of  Bravo Family Foundation, he directs the organization’s many initiatives to promote entrepreneurship, community-based leadership and economic development.

In the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, Orlando personally led a humanitarian mission to deliver resources to remote communities in Puerto Rico. The experience paved the way for the $100 million commitment he announced in 2019 to create the Foundation’s Rising Entrepreneurs Program (REP), an accelerator designed to support early-stage startup founders contributing to the Puerto Rican entrepreneurship ecosystem. 

In addition to his philanthropic involvements, Orlando is a Founder and Managing Partner of Thoma Bravo, one of the largest software investors in the world based in San Francisco, Miami, New York, Chicago, and London that makes investments in software and technology-enabled services companies. Today, Orlando directs the firm’s strategy and investment decisions in accordance with its principles of partnership, innovation, and performance. Orlando has overseen over 440 software acquisitions conducted by the firm, representing more than $250 billion in enterprise value (including control and non-control investments). Forbes named him “Wall Street’s best dealmaker” in 2019, and he was part of Thomson Reuters “Eight Buyout Pros to Watch” in 2009. 

Orlando graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Brown University in 1992 and earned a JD from Stanford Law School and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1998. 

Blanca I. Santos

Executive Director

Blanca brings over 24 years of experience in both the public, private and non-profit sectors where her leadership has been instrumental in supporting the development of several business ventures. She has in-depth knowledge about how to build for success, align, and integrate people within an organizational process. 

Blanca has been COO, CFO, Executive Director for educational, telecommunications, and environmental organizations.  Implemented internal controls and industry best practices by defining, implementing, and verifying financial policies and organizational procedures.  Supported and lead the Board of Directors to ensure it adds value to the organization. She implemented various Project Management Center of Excellence Office (PMCoE). Blanca has managed over $200MM in grants and internal funds.

Blanca is a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and a Master’s Degree in Finance.

Jaime R. Morales Cordero

Managing Director of the Rising Entrepreneurs Program

Jaime has extensive experience as an economic development practitioner in leading managerial positions, with local governments, business associations and nonprofit organizations. Before joining Bravo Family Foundation, he was a consultant on economic development and small business promotion, primarily for the Puerto Rico Manufacturing Extension Inc. (PRiMEX) and Executive Director for Foundation 2010 in Mayaguez.  

Jaime has managed and participated in several local and regional economic development and infrastructure projects with an investment of over $200 million. These include, the regional business incubation facilities financed by EDA; INOVA, the first network of its kind in Puerto Rico for virtual and traditional incubation; ODECUT, a Public-Private development that spearheaded a far reaching initiative to revitalize traditional town center; INTECO, a breakthrough regional, tech-based economic development organization that brings together academia, local governments and the private sector to commercialize new technologies and services; and Workforce Innovations for Regional Economic Development (WIRED), a $5 million regional initiative funded by the US Department of Labor to upgrade the talent development system. 

Jaime holds a BSBA in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez and a Master of Arts in Urban and Regional Affairs from the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Fernando Silva Caraballo

Managing Director of the Exceptional Community Leaders Program

Fernando brings an extensive and diverse experience and knowledge in the development of community capacity and resilience programs. Advisor and consultant in project areas based on history, geography and social and environmental sciences applied to place-based community development, education, and interpretation planning and training. Senior project designer and manager of research, planning, design, development and training on natural and cultural heritage resources of community tourism, interpretation, environmental education projects.

His island-wide community work seeks the development of alternatives to overcome socioeconomic, cultural and environmental challenges throughout diverse strategies of participatory research, formal and informal education, community leadership support and capacity building. 

Over the past 25 years, Fernando worked with well-recognized institutions directing and managing natural and cultural heritage resources, conservation programs in Puerto Rico, including founding and working as Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Institute for Sciences for Conservation during the last 12 years. He also taught, trained and coached about heritage resources, interpretation programming and practice to amateurs, professional interpreters, and to youth and nontraditional audiences in several urban and rural communities across the Island.

Fernando has a B.A. from the University of Puerto Rico in Sociology and Anthropology, and a Master Degree in Environmental Studies from Yale University, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. 

Alejandro Bravo

Project Manager

Alejandro (Ale) Bravo, a native of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, lends his talents and insight to the Bravo Family Foundation as its project manager. Immediately after Hurricane Maria struck the island, Alejandro was on the ground organizing the Foundation’s early relief efforts and working with community leaders and local residents to ensure supplies were delivered into the hands of those most in need.

Alejandro attended Southwestern Educational Society (SESO) for high school in Puerto Rico before enrolling in Brown University, graduating with a concentration in Modern Latin American History. He has done coursework at the United Nations Human Rights Commission’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and obtained his law degree from The George Washington University Law School.

A practicing attorney in South Florida specializing in criminal defense, Alejandro is a member of the Florida State Bar Association and the Federal Southern District of Florida.

Francisco Méndez

Field Operations Manager

Francisco (Paquito) Mendez was born in Puerto Rico and has spent much of his career in construction management in both the public and private sectors. He earned an undergraduate degree in business administration from Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico and a master’s degree in business administration from Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

Kyle Klopfer

Board Member and Advisor

Kyle, a certified public accountant and member of the California Bar Association, oversees all financial operations of the Bravo Family Foundation. He has more than twenty years’ experience in public accounting and tax law, most recently as founding partner of Golden Gate Associates, a San Francisco-based accounting firm that specializes in family office services including foundations and charitable entities. He previously worked at Deloitte & Touche for ten years.

Kyle was raised in Ohio and attended Wittenberg University, where he majored in business with an accounting concentration. He holds an LLM in Taxation from the Golden Gate University School of Law.

Kyle often cycles to the office on weekdays, and spends the other days hiking with his wife, two children and Kenna, a black Labrador — the Klopfer’s have been a host family for a breeder dog through the Guide Dogs for the Blind for five years.

Frances Molina

Senior Accountant

Frances has extensive experience in accounting and human resources, both in the private sector and nonprofit organizations. In the latter, she identifies the most, recognizing the importance of their contribution to society.

She is a passionate volunteer in various community-based organizations and activities, most focused on fundraising and pursuing social justice in all its forms.

Frances holds a master’s degree in human resources and a bachelor’s degree in business.

Administration with a concentration in accounting.

In her free time, she enjoys exercising, with running being her favorite activity. In 2022, she completed her first marathon in Chicago. Additionally, she is a strong advocate and lover of animals: she has fostered several dogs and has adopted others.

Frances is a dedicated and committed professional, always seeking opportunities to contribute and make a positive difference in her community.

Leah Santiago

Accounting Associate

Leah manages the Foundation’s grant work and day-to-day accounting needs. She joined the Foundation from Golden Gate Associates, having previously worked in Wells Fargo’s Social Responsibility department.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Leah moved to the United States when she was fifteen. She enrolled in San Francisco State University, where she graduated with a degree in business administration and accounting concentration in 2015.

She enjoys reading, playing guitar, and frequently volunteers with her local church’s Children’s Ministry program.

Carlos González Pabón

Operations & Community Coordinator

Carlos is a seasoned professional with over twenty years of experience in sales, marketing, and human resources, both in the private and government sectors. His dedication to education, music, and community economic development sets him apart. He has overseen the direction and administration of federal proposals in universities in Puerto Rico, as well as the implementation of financial projects in critical sectors such as health, security, and education.

With a strong background in recruitment, training, payroll, conflict resolution, international sales, and commercial operations, Carlos is known for his skills as a speaker, motivator, producer, and event moderator. Furthermore, his passion for fine arts and music has led him to establish and lead two musical groups.

Carlos holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resources from Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina Campus, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. He is pursuing his doctoral studies in International Business Management, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to professional and academic growth.

Valeria Rivera

Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

Valeria Rivera is a young, distinguished professional with a robust academic and professional background in business and marketing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Marketing (BSBA) major from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. While completing her bachelor’s degree, Valeria began her career in the business ecosystem of Puerto Rico in 2022 as a marketing intern. She continued exploring various opportunities, eventually joining the Rising Entrepreneurs Program as an intern. She has obtained several certifications, including Inbound Marketing, Email Marketing, the Meta Social Media Marketing Professional Certificate, and the SAP Technology Consultant Professional Certificate, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Valeria plans to continue her studies by pursuing a master’s degree in marketing and obtaining more certification. Her extensive knowledge and skills in these areas make her a versatile and qualified individual in marketing.

Belén Rosado-Casanova

Coordinator of the Exceptional Community Leaders Program

Woman, mother, and professional, with over 15 years of experience in interpretation and environmental education in protected natural areas and historical sites in Puerto Rico. She is grateful for dedicating her time, skills, and knowledge in favor of environmental education and interpretation, conservation efforts of natural and historic areas, and social justice; these as powerful strategies to offer experiences that contribute to personal changes and sustainable lifestyles, which favor equitable development and a better quality of life for all. 

As a biologist, she has the opportunity to collaborate with multiple professionals from different expertise and areas of study, government, private and federal organizations in conservation projects, education, environmental awareness, community participation, volunteering, citizen science, and more recently, social entrepreneurship.  She is always willing to continue learning and sharing what she has learned, happy to work in dynamic, organized, proactive environments, and in contact with people. 

Graduate of the University of Puerto Rico at Bayamón, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, a long trajectory as an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide and environmental & community project coordinator.   

Adiana A. Ortiz Ramos

Facilitator of the Exceptional Community Leaders Program

Professional with 25 years of experience in administration and customer service in protected natural areas, museums, and informal education areas.

Since 2003, she has worked as an Environmental Interpreter in protected natural areas, offering guided tours in English and Spanish. From 2005, she was the Coordinator of Interpreters. Her role involved supervising staff, developing regional activities and events, establishing partnerships with community groups, government agencies, and private companies, and coordinating interpreter events and schedules. For five years, she managed and supervised all administrative aspects of purchasing, admissions, facility rentals, and events at one of Puerto Rico’s most prestigious museums.

Her qualifications include a Certified Interpretative Guide certification from the National Association of Interpreters (NAI), a Medical Billing and Coding certification from the University of Puerto Rico, and a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Biology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.

Marisol M. Quiñones Vilches

Facilitadora ECL

Marisol has approximately 28 years of experience in different formal and non-formal education projects in Puerto Rico. Her interest in integrating the arts into the discipline of Education has led her to successfully design and implement innovative projects that significantly contribute to diverse communities.

She has worked in formal and informal education and environmental and scientific education programs. Among the projects she has worked on are museums, ecological organizations, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, and community organizations. In academia, she has collaborated in teacher training projects, offering graduate courses in education, and creating informal and school curricula. What stands out in her career is the operationalization of the Criollo Center for Sciences and Technology Educational Program and the curricular development of the Escuela con Causa of the organization Caras con Causa. These two projects are still in operation.

Marisol M. Quiñones is an esteemed educator. In 2002, she completed her bachelor’s degree in Modern Languages from the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras campus. She further honed her skills by obtaining a master’s degree in art integration in the curriculum from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2004, solidifying her expertise in the field.

Jenipher D. González

Operations Manager of Empowering Young Entrepreneurs Program

Jenipher is a Management Information Systems doctoral student at Universidad Ana G. Méndez. She has an MBA in Project Management and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering. She developed research in different investigation topics at the National Astronomy and Ionosphere Center (NAIC or Arecibo’s Observatory), MIT Haystack Observatory, Purdue University, Georgia Institute of Technology, NASA, Nano Material Research Group, and her former engineering school. 

She was awarded the NASA MUREP Scholarship for three years, which provided a research opportunity at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, CA, where she worked for two summers. In her master’s degree, she was awarded the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Selected Professions Fellowship. She has experience teaching at the college level; she’s an engineering lecturer, professor at the Division of Engineering, Design, and Architecture from her current university. Also, she worked as an IT Project Manager at an internet service provider organization.

Maribel Oyola-Thomas

Program Coordinator

Maribel has over thirty years of experience, twelve in human resources and eighteen as a nonprofit organization administrator. Among her duties, she has worked in recruitment, hiring, training, payroll preparation, general office coordination, managing finances, permits, and customer service. She has had experience working with high school students in Vocational Rehabilitation Administration transition services workshops. 

Maribel has a master’s degree from Vision International University and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance from the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.