LARRY COBEN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Larry is an archaeologist affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Fortune 150 NRG Energy. He was motivated to start ESCALA after witnessing first-hand the power of community and economic-based solutions to heritage preservation. Larry co-directs Proyecto Cañete in Peru, was the director of Proyecto Inkallakta, focusing on a monumental Inka site in Bolivia, and co-editor of 'Archaeology of Performance: Theater, Power and Community'. He is the founder of Tremisis Energy and has held various positions in the energy and environmental sectors. Coben has a BA in Economics from Yale, a JD from Harvard Law School, and an MA and PhD in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania
Maureen Miskovic, Chief Operating Officer
Maureen graduated for King's College, London with degrees in Russian and German, launching her early career in precious and base metals trading. Throughout her career, Maureen served as the Chief Risk Officer at Lehman Brothers, State Street Corporation, and UBS. Maureen also represented the Eurasia Group - a political risk consulting firm - as Chief Operating Officer and then Chairman. Maureen was named to the Most Powerful Women on Wall Street list as one of the '25 to watch'.
MERA GRANBERG, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Mera was the Founding Executive Director of the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation, bringing philanthropic support to public health. She went on to lead a national sales program for Endymion Systems, Inc., a technology integration and IT outsourcing company (sold to Soluziona USA, 2004). A native of San Francisco, Mera lives in her hometown where she sings in a 70s and 80s rock and punk cover band.
Paul Burtenshaw, Research Associate
Paul was the Sustainable Preservation Initiative’s Project Director from 2014 to 2019. Paul contributed strategic and financial planning for community-led cultural heritage businesses, application of cultural economics to archaeology, and insight on heritage tourism. Paul continues to work as an independent specialist and research associate specializing in cultural heritage and sustainable development opportunities. He now lives in Los Angeles with his wife, dog, and growing vinyl collection.
Our Partners
ELGIDIUS B. ICHUMBAKI, TANZANIA PARTNER
Elgidius is a heritage scholar and educator based at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Elgidius directs the Urithi Wetu research group, establishing strong, community-based programs to preserve archaeological and other heritage sites by drawing on local knowledge, customs, and use. Elgidius worked closely on SPI’s Kaole and Kilwa Kisiwani initiatives. He is assisting ESCALA in identifying appropriate local partners for bring the Business School to Tanzania.
XIMENA QUEROL, PERU PARTNER
Ximena is the President and Founder of Sector3 Social Venture Group and Director of the ESCALA Business School. Ximena has more than fifteen years of experience promoting women's economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, leading large scale projects with major multilateral and global corporations including Goldman Sachs - 10,000 Women and Mastercard. As an impact investor, Ximena is also affiliated with Peruvian Fintech and SheWorks!. Ximena holds an MBA and an MA from UT Austin and a BA from Southwestern University.
Gina Maldonado, Peru Partner
Gina is the Executive Director and a partner at Sector3 SVG, SPI’s Peruvian partner for expanding ESCALA in Latin America. Gina holds a BA from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and is completing a Master of Public Policy at McGill University. With over nine years of experience in development project management, public policy management, and social entrepreneurship, Gina has worked on projects in Peru, Mexico, and El Salvador. Prior to this, Gina also served as the National Coordinator of Business Management for the Peruvian Government.