We are MAKAIA

History

MAKAIA

MAKAIA means “to build” or “to do”, in Miskito (indigenous language from Honduras). Its name represents the objective of MAKAIA: to build partnerships and relations oriented to social and economic development.

MAKAIA was born on 3 June 2006, from the vision of its three founders Catalina Escobar, Camilo Mondragón and Maria Claudia Camacho. Three Colombians who, after studying and working abroad, decided to establish an organization with the aim of contributing to the development of the country, by taking advantage of their knowledge, experience and networks.

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Between 2007 and 2012, we began to be a model for social entrepreneurship and start to work with national and international partners. We developed a pilot of social enterprise in the city’s Telecentres, participated in the conceptualization of Medellín Smart City, began a training in International Cooperation and began the relationship with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and with IREX.

We work with Beyond Access looking for a recognition for libraries as development actors. We focus on strengthening our training offer while developing mapping of opportunities for social organizations and we continue working with Colnodo and MinTIC on ICT appropriation processes in different communities.

In 2013, our online cloud-based platform was born, adapted to the administrative, management (internal and external), collaboration and knowledge needs of social organizations, and which offers them institutional strengthening tools to increase their social impact and achieve greater efficiency in meeting their goals. To develop it, we work hand in hand with important allies such as: Colnodo, Sofía Pérez de Soto Foundation, Fundación Fraternidad Medellín, among others.

Between 2014 and 2016, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, declared MAKAIA part of the registered civil society organizations and with Techsoup, Google and Microsoft, we started the software donation program for the social sector. Internally, we strengthened our strategic direction. We celebrated 10 years, strengthened our international work and expanded the donation program. We also launched the module of Beneficiary Management and indicators of Nodo Ká.

From 2017 to the present, we explored into the Internet of Things (IoT), Open Data and connectivity for TV white spaces and began our work with coffee growers in Meta with ALO&Partners and Lavazza. We strengthened our Corporate Governance, making a transition and building the Strategy Management. We expanded our work with girls and young people in vulnerable situations, offering them training opportunities in technology. We started a new project of Programming and Code School for young people who neither study nor work. MAKAIA is currently recognized nationally and internationally for its experience in institutional strengthening and outstanding programs and projects focused on the development of the social sector.

Between 2021 and 2023, we made significant progress in revamping Nodoká. We launched an updated version of the platform, offering a more intuitive and robust user experience for information management and opportunity mapping for resource mobilization.

We consolidated BeTek as a spin-off of Makaia, transforming it into an independent business unit. BeTek was born as a technology talent accelerator that identifies high-potential talent, trains them in technology roles, and connects them with employment opportunities.

After several virtual editions, Tikso returned as a in person event, impacting over 680 attendees in a hybrid format. We also experienced the first edition of the Partners and Donors Matchmaking Event

Corporative

Purpose

We strengthen capacities for social development through technology, innovation and international cooperation.

Vision

Every person and organization has the information and knowledge to transform themselves and their communities.

Values

  • Social commitment
  • Cutting edge & innovation
  • Diversity & inclusion
  • Integrity & transparency
  • Global thinking 

Government Structure

Our organizational structure ensures transparency and good governance. In addition to our operational team, we have management and control bodies such as the Assembly of Founders, the Board of Directors and its advisors.

Assembly of Founders

Catalina Escobar

Camilo Mondragón

María Claudia Camacho

Members of the Executive Board

María Claudia Camacho
Chief, Labor and Employment Section at Dpt.Human Development, Education and Employment, Organization of American States

Clara Inés Restrepo
Independent Consultant

María Carolina Uribe
Partner at UH Abogados

Claudia Frank
Technology Consultant

Carlos Vásquez
VP – Chief Data Officer

Rafael Arango Fonnegra
Independent Consultant

Miguel Jaramillo
Director of Administrative Engineering at EIA

Revisoría fiscal
Professional Organization of Public Accountants – ABAKO`S

Our Team

Catalina Escobar

Co Founder and Strategy Director

Carlos González

Executive Director

Ana Isabel Restrepo

Director of People Solutions

Catalina Restrepo Mejía

Director Corporate Solutions

Olga Devia Gallego

Administrative and Financial Director

Amalia Vélez

Institutional Relations Professional

Luis Angel Ramírez David

Financial Leader

Lina Marcela Galvis Hernández

Human Management

Edwin Alberto Aguirre Arango

Administrative and Accounting Assistant

Paola Ximena Díaz Alba

Administrative and Accounting Assistant

Gina Alejandra Giraldo Estrada

Customer Service and Administrative Assistant

Juan David Hurtado

Nodoká Coordinator

Jorge Hernán Llano Ríos

TIC Solutions Coordinator

Paula Alejandra Álvarez Fino

Project Coordinator – Transform

Jhonatan Oviedo

Senior Coordinator – CSM Stand

Miguel Gaviria Ruiz

Hive Mind Project Leader

José José Castillo

Commercial Manager

Marcela López

Commercial Manager

Cristina Rosa Ruiz Martínez

Marketing Leader

Anuar Nicolas Hernández Anaya

Resource Mobilization Professional

Jaison Damián Labrador

Nodoká Development Analyst

Alejandro Carvajal Llano

Nodoká Content Manager

Kevyn Paternina

Professional in Validations and Customer Service

Jonathan Da Rocha

Pedagogical Experiences Creator

Maria José García Carvajal

Financial and Administrative Assistant

Juan Esteban Biswell

Project Leader

Manuela Arango Restrepo

Project Leader – Digital Transformation Suma Social

Carlos Andrés Gómez Almanza

Commercial Leader – Corporate Solutions

Catalina Guerrero Sánchez

Project Leader – Civicus

Natalia Andrea Agudelo Arias

Project Coordinator – Digital Transformation CCMA

Stephany Vélez Sierra

Communications Professional – Digital Transformation CCMA

Estefanía Jiménez Mazo

Administrative Assistant – Digital Transformation CCMA

María Cecilia Pérez Marín

Technical Leader – Digital Transformation CCMA

Mariana Roldán Claros

Tikso Event Coordinator

Carolina Soto Olarte

Administrative Assistant – Tikso

María Paula Gil Mesa

Communications Leader

Paula Andrea Betancur Arias

Communications Trainee

Laura María Arboleda Chaverra

Monitoring and Evaluation Professional

Catalina Villamarín Martínez

Cooperation, Project Formulation and Monitoring Professional

Ingrid Espitia

Senior Coordination

Ana Carolina Bermúdez Quintero

Project Coordinator – Red Colaborar

María Alejandra Cardona Aizpurua

Community Leader – Red Colaborar

Juan Camilo García García

Technical Leader – Red Colaborar

Jhon Fredy Cardona Salazar

Administrative Assistant – Red Colaborar

Said Fernando Ali Martínez

Project Coordinator – CREDIBLE

Laura María Coutin Gaviria

Project Leader – CREDIBLE

Erika Hernández

Administrative and Logistics Professional – CREDIBLE

Diana Rocio Calderón Escarraga

Communications Leader – CREDIBLE

María Camila Marín Álvarez

Event Leader – CREDIBLE

Isabel Cristina Castro Orozco

Project Coordinator – Contigo Conectados

Juan Pablo Rodriguez Cano

Content Manager- Contigo Conectados

Juan Camilo Rueda Marin

Content Manager for Website – Contigo Conectados

Maria Fernanda Cano Marín

Administrative Assistant – Contigo Conectados

Daniela Diaz

Volunteer Professional – Contigo Conectados

Marcela Aristizábal Henao

Project Coordinator – Semillero STEM

David Javier Giraldo

Communications Professional – Semillero STEM

Andres Felipe Muñoz Echeverri

Administrative and Logistics Professional – Semillero STEM

Katherine Shirley Mejía

Project Leader – Semillero STEM

Elsa Victoria Botero Villegas

Regional Program Manager TechSoup LATAM

Jesús López

Operations Analyst TechSoup LATAM

Dagoberto Ramírez Serna

Technical Lead TechSoup LATAM

Ana María Acosta

Director – BeTek

Valentina Agudelo Marín

Talent Manager – BeTek

Angela Patricia Vizcaya Piñeros

Experience Leader – BeTek

Anyela Quintero

Professional Volunteer Support – BeTek

Daniel Esteban Castrillón Vélez

Employability Leader – BeTek

Diego Fernando Rodríguez David

Training Leader – BeTek

Danilo de Jesús Vergara Quintero

Commercial Advisor – BeTek

Jorge Luis Ruiz Rodríguez

Marketing Leader – BeTek

Juan Sebastián Álvarez

Development Analyst – BeTek

Whitney Jhoana Stevenson Seña

Technical Mentor – BeTek

Mariana Luján Álvarez

Technical Mentor – Betek

Where we work