Director, Ipas Latin America and the Caribbean
María Antonieta Alcalde serves as director of Ipas Latin America and the Caribbean, a regional program based in Mexico City. She is a seasoned leader in the field of sexual and reproductive health and rights and has been a champion for the rights of women and youth since her time as a student at the Autonomous University of Mexico. Prior to joining Ipas, Alcalde worked for 14 years with the International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, most recently serving as director of advocacy, based in New York. She has also led several youth initiatives in Mexico and founded the Mexican organization Elige, Red de Jóvenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos, a youth network for sexual and reproductive rights. She holds diplomas in youth leadership and gender studies and has a bachelor’s degree in accounting.