Juanita is an avid “maker” with self-starter genes and an innate drive to strategize and do. She is invested in tackling the most complex societal problems by designing transformative solutions from an empathic and optimistic perspective. She enjoys using innovative design research methods, co-design and strategy to understand user, stakeholder, and client needs. Juanita has designed a variety of analytical frameworks to improve the efficiency and impact of behavior change interventions in multiple developing countries across Africa and Latin America.

An extremely creative thinker with the ability to thoughtfully grasp systemic challenges at hand. She is a highly skilled visual designer and excels at uncovering unique insights, communicating graphically complex stories and empowering others to navigate unexplored territories with unique confidence.

She has worked in the areas of behavior change, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, poverty alleviation, economic inequality and financial inclusion using strategic design approaches. At her time at ThinkPlace, Juanita has led multiple innovation processes and behavior change strategies that have informed major public health projects. She currently leads the Human-Centered Design practice at the USAID-funded Breakthrough ACTION Program, where ThinkPlace contributes Human-Centered Design and Behavioral Science expertise to diagnose, reframe, design and implement scalable behavioral interventions to improve the effectiveness of health programs and services across Africa, Central and South America.

Juanita holds two bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Design and a Postgraduate Degree in Social Innovation Management. Her work has been published in the International Small Business Journal’s paper: Business models impacting social change in violent and poverty-stricken neighborhoods: A case study in Colombia.