M.Sc. Ryan Whitson

He is an advisor at Tourism Business Development Consulting. Ryan Whitson, M.A. is an educator, professional linguist, and state certified English/Spanish court interpreter.  He graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa, FL with his B.A. in 2002 and went on to earn his master’s degree in Global Studies from Sophia University in Tokyo in 2012.  After living in Japan for 12 years and working in the field of second language acquisition, he returned to Florida in 2015 to pursue a career as a professional court interpreter working for the state of Florida.  Mr. Whitson has an extensive background in teaching English as a second language at all levels, and is an expert in foreign language acquisition. Mr. Whitson has studied and worked extensively in the fields of language based and cultural tourism, which are important sectors of the global tourism market. 

M.Sc. Sabina (Banda) Zunguze

She is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of A Gift to Africa, LLC. Over the past twenty-five years, she has devoted her career to training, teaching, and consultancy related to empowering female social entrepreneurs. In that role, she has developed curriculum in the areas of small business development, leadership, business management, community based tourism, and social sustainable entrepreneurship. She holds a Master of Science in Economics, Statistics and Business from The George Washington University School of Business. She graduated from Savitribai Phule Pune University with a Bachelor’s in Commerce.

M.Sc. Luis Perez Nieto

He is the Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.) of Madrid en Ruta. Over the past twenty years, he has devoted his career to training, teaching, research and consultancy related to historical, artistic and cultural heritage tourism. In that role, he has developed curriculum in the areas of tourism guides, cultural heritage tourism management, cultural tourism business, leadership, tourism development and entrepreneurship. He holds a Master of Science in Analysis, Management, Projects and Industrial Heritage from the National University of Distance Education (UNED) in Madrid, Spain. He graduated from Complutense University, also in Madrid, with a  Bachelor’s in Art History.

B.A. Mercedes Amada Díaz Hernández

She is an expert in Accounting and Finance and she has a background as a Financial Auditor. Over the past forty years, she has devoted her career to training, teaching, research and consultancy related to business financial economic studies, accounting analyses, financial reporting systems, account balances, cash flow statements, income statements, balance sheets, tax returns, and internal control systems. She has carried out accounting and internal control audits in public and private companies and sector and non-governmental organizations. She has served as Project Management Consultant, Principal Advisor, Economic Director, Accounting Director, and Chief Accountant. She graduated from University of Havana , with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. She also graduated with more than 20 Certificate Programs in General Accounting, Financial Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Financial Statement Audit, Business Accounting, Internal Controls and Business Strategies.

M.Sc. Rodrigo Vaz Gomes Basto

He is a Doctoral Candidate in Accounting and Finance at the University of Zaragoza in Spain. Over the past twenty-five years, he has devoted his career to teaching and research in the field of public accounting, business management and non-profit entities. He is a transparency and accountability consultant. He has collaborated as a professor and researcher at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte at the Faculty of Igarassu, at SENAC and at the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil. He holds a Master’s in International Business Management from Polytechnic University of Madrid, a Master’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Zaragoza, and a Postgraduate in Politics and Strategy from ADESG. He graduated from Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

M.Sc. Rocio Heras

She is an expert in cultural heritage and tourism. Over the past twenty-two years she has devoted her career to teaching, training, research and consultancy related to History of Arts and Conservation of Artistic Heritage. In that role, she has developed curriculum in the areas of tourist guides, cultural heritage tourism management and cultural tourism business. She has been working with the Tour Operator, Politours Company as a River Cruise Travel Guide. She is an expert at planning, selling and arranging both group and individual tours including recreational activities and events. She has designed trip itineraries for Europe, Philippine and New Zealand markets. She holds a Certificate of Pedagogical Aptitude (CAP) from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. She graduated from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain with a Bachelor of Art History and Conservation of Artistic Heritage.