FutaFriends Staff and Friends

FutaFriends' mission is to ensure the free-flow of the Futaleufu River and to protect the natural resources of its watershed through community stewardship, education, and sustainable development for current and future generations.

FutaFriends staff is made up of native Chileans and internationals, with a strong base of volunteers and interns that help us reach our conservation goals. FutaFriends is quickly growing and picking up speed on the fight to conserve the Futaleufu River Valley and Patagonia.

Alan Grundy Valenzuela - Executive Director
Alan joined the FutaFriends team in 2007 as the Executive Director for the organization. Prior to coming to Futaleufu, Alan was receiving his M.A. in International Environmental Policy from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, with a focus on private protected areas and sustainable development. Alan, a Chilean American and a native Spanish and English speaker, has lived in several Latin American countries, as well as traveled throughout all of South America. Alan's previous work experience includes designing urban forestry projects in Colombia and Nicaragua, as well as his Peace Corps service as an Environmental Conservation Volunteer. Alan is also the co-founder and board member of the Private Reserves Network, a U.S. non-profit organization working to improve and expand private conservation worldwide.

William Flores García - Project Coordinator for Agriculture Development
William "Willy" Flores García is the organizations voice in the community, promoting FutaFriends and our program goals throughout the valley. Descendent of colonizers to the valley, Willy was born and raised in the Azul Sector of the Futaleufu River Valley. Willy coordinates FutaFriends' agriculture development program in Futaleufu. His background includes training in tourism and tourism development, as well as previous work experience with the Dos Margaritas Foundation and several tourism outfitters in the region. From his history and intimacy of the area, Willy brings an exceptional knowledge of the region as well as connections and confidence produced by his friendly demeanor with the local population. Willy has become an integral part of FutaFriends, where his participation largely contributes to the success of ongoing projects and the organization as a whole.

María José Lopéz Ferrada - Tourism Promotion Coordinator
A native of Santiago, Chile, María josé Lopéz Ferrada coordinates FutaFriends' tourism promotion and cultural interchange program. María José has a technical degree in Tourism from the Center of Tourism Studies in Santiago. María José has been an active participant in Futaleufu's tourism development since her arrival in 1999. She has lived in Futaleufu permanently for more than 10 years, working with the Chamber of Tourism and the Provincial Public/Private Organization, Patagonia Verde. María José supports the organization's tourism development goal, as well as providing an important connection with the community and surrounding regions. A "Guasa" at heart, María José loves the Futaleufu Valley, and has made its conservation a primary mission of her life.