María Ignacia Rodríguez Espinoza

Deputy Manager, International Cooperation & Research | Fundación Descúbreme España

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

About

Strategic professional with over 10 years experience in international cooperation for development, public affairs, and research. Native Spanish speaker, fully fluent in English (C2), and currently advancing German proficiency (B2-C1).

Experience

  • Deputy Manager, International Cooperation & Research at Fundación Descúbreme España
    Jan 2025 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

    As Deputy Manager of International Cooperation and Research at Fundación Descúbreme, I work to advance disability inclusion by connecting strategy, partnerships, and evidence. I lead the organization’s global positioning efforts, promote international cooperation projects, and develop applied research that informs inclusive public and private sector decision-making. I lead a team of five professionals, transforming ideas into concrete initiatives that improve opportunities and wellbeing for persons with disabilities across Latin America and Europe. Our work combines collaboration, innovation, and research to generate sustainable impact and strengthen inclusive systems over the long term.

  • Fundación Descúbreme (6 yrs 7 mos)
    • Head of Public and International Affairs
      Sep 2021 - Dec 2024 · 3 yrs 4 mos

      As Head of Public and International Affairs, I led the design, planning, and execution of national and international public affairs and engagement strategies at Fundación Descúbreme, driving our positioning as a key actor in the inclusion ecosystem for people with disabilities. In this role, I worked closely with senior leadership to strengthen strategic partnerships across public, private, and civil society sectors, while advancing our internationalization agenda and representing the organization in global forums. I was also responsible for securing national and international funding, managing high-impact cooperation projects across Latin America, and identifying emerging trends that inform our strategic direction. Leading a team of three professionals, I coordinated stakeholder engagement initiatives, events, and collaborative spaces that expand our influence and contribute to meaningful social impact.

    • Strategic Projects Manager
      Dec 2019 - Aug 2021 · 1 yr 9 mos

      Led the design, planning and implementation of over 70 consulting projects on diversity, equity and inclusion at the national level.

    • Consulting Analyst
      Jun 2018 - Dec 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos

      Design of diversity, equity and inclusion consulting methodologies, as well as responsible for the implementation of granted projects.

  • Universidad Diego Portales (1 yr 8 mos)
    • Coordinadora Debate Escolar CEAR UDP
      Mar 2017 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Coordinación general y académica del Torneo Interescolar de Debate, a cargo del Centro de Estudios de Argumentación y Razonamiento de la Universidad Diego Portales y el Ministerio de Educación. Coordinación del área de Debate Escolar del Centro de Estudios de Argumentación y Razonamiento de la Universidad Diego Portales.

    • Analista Proceso Constituyente
      Nov 2016 - Feb 2017 · 4 mos

      Analista de fundamentos de los Encuentros Locales, Cabildos Provinciales y Cabildos Regionales del Proceso Constituyente, a cargo del Programa de las Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo (PNUD) y el Centro de Estudios de la Argumentación y el Razonamiento de la Universidad Diego Portales (CEAR-UDP).

  • Research Assistant at Universidad de Chile
    Jul 2016 - Dec 2016 · 6 mos

    Asistente de investigación en Fondecyt Iniciación N° 11150120 "Neoliberalismo híbrido. Orígenes, diseño e implementación de innovaciones para el rol del Estado en los mercados"​ a cargo del académico Antoine Maillet (Instituto de Asuntos Públicos, Universidad de Chile).

  • Research Assistant at Universidad de Los Lagos
    Mar 2016 - Aug 2016 · 6 mos

    Asistente de Investigación en Fondecyt Iniciación N° 1151215 "Lo que los conflictos producen: configuraciones y dinámicas de la conflictividad socio territorial en Chile y sus consecuencias sobre las políticas públicas y los territorios", a cargo de Gonzalo de la Maza (ULagos), Christian Martínez (ULagos) y Antoine Maillet (INAP UChile).