3x Governor of Kamëntsá nation. Indigenous-born, 40+ year experience with Amazonian medicines, lineage of traditional Yageceros. Taita Juan is deeply connected to the natural world and committed to its conservation, dedicating his lifetime to indigenous advocacy and the preservation of natural medicines and ecosystems, through his work at OIOC, Shanayoy, regionally, and speaking abroad.

A proud member of the Kamëntsá people, Mercedes embodies a deep reverence for the earth and our sacred elements. Community Educator since 2016, she hosts programs in ancestral medicines, traditional arts & culture, and land conservation to the local community. Faculty student of Madre Tierra at University of Antioquia.

Erika supports the bridge between the Kamentsa and the International community. She has spent 20+ years studying the traditions and people of the Andes. I studied Master Plants under Taita Juan and have organized non-profit work for the region since 2011. Attuned to the natural world, Erika supports the organization, from local operational planning to international outreach. I am a Medical Herbalist (Vitalist Tradition), a Holistic Therapist (University Esneca, Spain), and a Minister (Circle of Sacred Nature).

Nicholas lives in the ancestral lands of the Kamëntsá people, Nico bridges modern mindsets with ancestral wisdom. With a background in filmmaking, art, and social work, Nico brings artistic expression and sensitivity to storytelling and outreach, and manages local field teams and the greenhouse alongside Andres.

Indigenous to the Andean forest, Benito learned tree cultivation and ecological diversity from his father. With 15+ years managing greenhouses and reforestation, he specializes in ecosystem rehabilitation and landscape mitigation with terrain-specific tree planting. Benito has provided trees and guidance for OIOC since 2022.

With 10+ years in environmental education and organic farming, Andres brings pragmatic sustainable practices to our projects, like soil mineralization and natural cultivation. He’s rehabilitated and nurtured OIOC’s first small scale reforestation effort in 2023, and tends to OIOC’s greenhouse full time.