Maria Jose Espinosa Carrillo

María José Espinosa Carrillo is Director of Programs and Operations of the Center for Democracy in the Americas. María José joined in March 2016, and provides strategic and operational leadership to support the growth of CDA’s advocacy initiatives, Cuba Travel Program and research efforts. Prior to joining CDA, María José worked at DMC of Miami where she organized exchange programs and missions for individuals or groups interested in better understanding economic development opportunities in Cuba. Earlier in her career, she was an International Affairs Analyst at the Centre for the Study of Asia and Oceania and was a member of a research team that published reports on Cuba’s economic, political and social affairs regarding Asia and Oceania. She began her career as a Professor in the School of Economics at the University of Havana and taught undergraduate courses in Cuban Economic Thought, Global Economic Thought and Political Economy. She holds a MSc. in Economics from the University of Havana, a MSc. in Tourism and Environmental Economics from the Universitat de les Illes Balears, and a BSc. in Economics from the University of Havana. María José is the recipient of multiple academic awards, including a scholarship from the government of Spain’s Agency for International Development Cooperation for her graduate work at the Universitat de les Illes Balears.