Board of Directors

Ana Karina Smith, C'98

President 

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Ana Karina Smith Cain (C’98) studied both Communications and Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences, and has a minor in Economics too. With more than 20 years of experience in ​​strategic communications, today she helps people and organizations thrive, through her work in emotional wellbeing mentoring and training, and through powerful conversations to bring about change in human systems. She is a HeartMath Trainer, Cornell University Certified Wellness Counselor, and XChange certified Organizational Change Facilitator. She is also the mother of 4 girls and two cocker spaniels, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Positive Organizational Leadership at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Julio Germán Arias, W'14, C'14 

Vice President 

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Julio Germán Arias Castillo (W'14, C'14) studied both in the College of Arts & Sciences and the Wharton School, as part of the Huntsman Program. He works at McKinsey & Company, participating in projects across the Americas. Previously, he worked at Morgan Stanley in New York City and at the Acumen Fund in Bogota. Julio holds an MBA with a Certificate in Public Management & Social Innovation from the Stanford Graduate School of Business, as well as a Master in Public Policy from the University of Oxford (as a Chevening Scholar). In addition, Julio sits on the Americas Society / Council of the Americas’s Young Professionals Steering Committee and at UPenn’s Huntsman Program Alumni Council.

Donald Canavaggio, C'07, G'13, L'13

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Donald P. Canavaggio (C'07, G'13, L'13) studied in the College of Arts and Sciences and also received his JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 2013 and a Masters in International Studies from the Joseph H. Lauder Institute of Management and International Studies. He is an international associate with Arias, Fábrega & Fábrega in the firm's M&A and Banking and Capital Markets practice group. He previously served on the board of the Penn Alumni Club of Panama from 2008 through 2009. 

Gina Faarup de Cochez, W'01

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Gina Faarup de Cochez (Wh’01) studied Finance and Management at the Wharton School. She had a banking career of over 10 years, working in institutions like JPMorgan, Banistmo and HSBC. In 2011 she founded GC Productions, a Theatre and Film production company, and has produced over 20 musicals. Her first feature film, “Everybody Changes”, was selected to represent Panama at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes. She’s currently pursuing a Masters at Harvard University in Dramatic Arts and Film.

Daniel Mizrachi, W'00

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Daniel Mizrachi (W’00) studied International Finance and Operations and Informations Management in the Wharton School. He is the CFO of Del Este Capital, a family business holding company in Panama. He also has managed various positions in Mizratex, one of the founding companies of the Colon Duty Free Zone, including overseeing operations and finance in a period when the company saw double digit yearly growth for more than a decade. Daniel has also served on the board of several startups, including one of Panama’s first eCommerce sites (estila.com) and microbreweries (Cerveceria Clandestina). Additionally, Daniel was a member of the Assets and Liabilities Committee of BancoPanama, before it was acquired by Banco Aliado. Aside from his pursuits in business, Daniel is a volunteer EMT and is one of the founding members of a non-profit organization that tries to minimize emergency response times.

Peter Stanziola, C'06

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Peter Stanziola (C'06) studied Economics and Chemistry in the College of Arts & Sciences and is currently pursuing an MBA at Duke University (The Fuqua School of Business). Peter is a CFA charterholder since 2019 and has experience in treasury and finance in Panamanian and international banks. He is currently Head of Finance at Inteligo Bank (Intercorp Group).

Juan Carlos Ortega Sucre, W'20

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Juan Carlos Ortega Sucre (W’20) studied Finance and Business Analytics in the Wharton School. At Penn, he was part of the Wharton Latino Board and the Wharton 101 TA community. He was also an active member of the on-campus fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI). Juan Carlos has had internship experience in M&A Investment Banking at Citi and Lazard. He’s temporarily working in Panama for a small financial startup before heading to his masters in Fall 2021.

Cesar Emile Maurice Bélanger, WG'66

Honorary Board Member

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Cesar Emile Maurice Bélanger (WG'66) studied in the Wharton School. He is presently the head of his family business, BELANGER REALTY Panama, S.A., and is actively involved in ACOBIR, the principal Association of Real Estate Brokers and Developers in Panama. He is a member of NAR, the National Association of Realtors. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Panama (AmCham) for 5 years. Maurice worked for Boyd Steamship Corporation and retired as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at the end of 2004. He was an active Rotarian for over thirty-five years. In 2003 he was honored by the Panama Municipal Government, naming him “Meritorious Son” for his work in establishing and heading the nationwide Rotary Youth Soccer League. He was named “Rotarian of the Year” on two occasions. Maurice was the first president and founder of the University of Pennsylvania Alumni Club of Panama. He is a lifetime member of the College of Certified Public Accountants of Panama. In 2007, he was invited to serve as the Commencement Speaker at the graduation ceremony of his Alma Mater, Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College). He is married to Lupita Bragin and are parents to four offspring and grandparents to a girl and a boy.