The people behind the institution
Aymara educator, policy strategist, and artist, Sharoll leads Zera Bolivia's model for community-owned learning. A Harvard graduate in Education Policy and Analysis, Power, Identity and Justice, she has designed creative education programs from the Andes to New York, integrating Indigenous knowledge with learning science and systems design.
Meet Sharoll ↗
At the heart of the work
Zera's work begins with the understanding that poverty in Bolivia has two structural roots: racism and sexism. Education in critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and practical tools is the way we have found to confront those roots.
Much is said about the poor quality of education in Bolivia. Too often, a child's education depends more on their family than on their school. Educational opportunity therefore becomes unequal and depends heavily on a family's economic circumstances.
We cannot yet change the education system, but Zera contributes wherever it can by offering tools that anyone can use to face life's different challenges. We are present in public schools, community learning spaces, and social media. We bring tools for thought to the places where they are needed most.
Wilmer studied Sociology at UMSA and Systems Engineering at USB. He was a member of the Katarista Indianista Movement MINKA, an activist in La Paz's Plaza de los Héroes, and a university leader. He is a cyberactivist focused on Indianism, Katarism, and Indigenous peoples in digital spaces, and belongs to the Autonomy Forum, Fundación Internet Bolivia, and Jichha.
With a background in organizational psychology and technology systems, Tristan develops new models that use technology for social impact and sustainability. He has led winning teams in the World Bank's Global Ideas for Action competition and the Consensys Hackathons, and has lectured at NYU, Rutgers, and CUNY.
Gabriel has sixteen years of experience in equity and industry research, manager selection, and portfolio construction. He currently leads Research and Direct Investments at Stelac Advisory. Previously, he headed Offshore Mutual Funds and Alternative Investments at UBS New York and covered Latin American telecommunications for Deutsche Bank.