Colomba Alcalde

Country Director @ Explora | Commercial Strategy & Marketing | Business Development · External Affairs | M.A. Stanford

Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan Region, Chile

About

I build strategies where storytelling, conservation, and impact converge. For the past 13 years, I've led marketing and communications for organizations that operate at the intersection of purpose and ambition — from one of Chile's largest social impact foundations to a first-of-its-kind conservation project in Patagonia. Today I'm Country Director for Conservation Reserves at Explora, developing the commercial and marketing strategy for Torres del Paine's most pioneering land conservation model. My work involves translating a complex conservation finance proposition into a compelling story for investors and institutional partners across Latin America, the US, and Europe — and representing the project publicly at international forums on conservation and sustainable finance. Before this, I spent seven years directing communications at Desafío Levantemos Chile — building the foundation's public voice, leading media strategy, managing donor communications, and representing the organization across platforms and audiences. I'm looking for international roles where communications, public presence, and strategic storytelling are at the center. M.A. Stanford University · Journalism, Universidad Católica de Chile (1st in class) · Certification, Harvard University

Experience

  • Country Director Conservation Reserves at Explora
    Jul 2024 - Present · 2 yrs

    ● Lead the commercial and marketing strategy for Conservation Reserves, integrating business development, impact investment, and ESG criteria across Latin America, the US, and Europe. ● Designed and launched the business model for the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve — a first-of-its-kind conservation project in Patagonia. ● Built and manage an international investor acquisition strategy, engaging HNWI buyers and institutional partners through top-tier broker networks including Christie's, Sotheby's, Knight Frank, and Savills. ● Drive the full investment closing process, coordinating directly with investors and legal teams across acquisition stages. ● Represent the project as institutional spokesperson at international forums on conservation and sustainable finance. ● Define and oversee the project's brand strategy, content positioning, and commercial narratives for sophisticated global audiences.

  • Desafío Levantemos Chile (Full-time · 7 yrs)
    • Communications and Marketing Director
      Jun 2020 - Jun 2024 · 4 yrs 1 mo

      ● Leadership of the Communications and Marketing division of the foundation. ● Direct engagement with key stakeholders and donor companies, developing diverse communication and outreach strategies. ● Creation, management, and administration of website, social media, CRM (Salesforce), and other digital strategies. ● Coordination with external agencies for advertising campaigns and communications outreach. ● Press management. ● Preparation of monthly reports for the board on overall departmental results. ● Managed a team of 8 people.

    • Head Of Communications
      Jul 2017 - Jun 2020 · 3 yrs

      ● Design and implementation of the foundation's communications strategy: brand amplification and positioning, P.R., media plans, partnerships with media partners, social media management, advertising campaigns, press management, seminars, and more. ● Management of internal communications: engagement with the board and donors, newsletters, talks, and internal activities. ● Definition of editorial line and spokespeople (design, image, and messaging). ● Development of audiovisual guidelines, website, and social media. ● Managed a team of 4 people.

  • Alta Comunicación (Full-time · 2 yrs 2 mos)
    • Account Manager
      Jun 2016 - Jun 2017 · 1 yr 1 mo

      ● Advisory services to leading consumer and retail companies on communications and marketing. ● Design, development, and creation of strategic plans to position brands as market leaders. Includes press management, crisis handling, marketing activations, and event production. ● Primary client-facing contact and directly responsible for client relationships. ● Managed a team of 4 people. ● Clients: Cerveza Corona, H&M, Chivas Regal, Timberland, adidas Originals, among others.

    • Senior Account Executive
      May 2015 - May 2016 · 1 yr 1 mo

      ● Execution of marketing and communications strategies for brand positioning. ● Press management and media relations. ● Managed a team of 2 people. ● Clients: H&M, American Eagle Outfitters, Carter’s, adidas Originals, Absolut Vodka, Sony, among others.

  • Tutor at Learnika - Nixon Elementary School
    Oct 2014 - Mar 2015 · 6 mos

    ● Spanish classes for children and adults. Focus on grammar, reading, and writing.

  • Journalist at Chilevision
    Aug 2010 - Jul 2012 · 2 yrs

    ● Development of the content division for the International Song Festival of Viña del Mar. ● Communications support for show hosts, including script writing and editing. ● Writing and distributing press releases across media outlets. Content management for vina2011.com and vina2012.com. ● Organization and participation in two world tours to promote the festival (Mexico and the United States), establishing contact with both international and national press. ● Participation in the content and production team for pilot programs.