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Our Leadership

The Guatemalan Tomorrow Fund and Ak' Tenamit are guided by a dedicated team of experts and community pioneers committed to our mission.

Steve Dudenhoefer
Technical Advisor – Guatemala (Founder)

Steve Dudenhoefer founded Asociación Ak’ Tenamit in 1992 after visiting Guatemala and being deeply affected by the poverty facing the families of his South Florida landscaping employees. He sold his business, returned to the Río Dulce region, and established the organization with the help of local village leaders. Today, Ak’ Tenamit is run entirely by the Q’eqchi’ people. Steve remains involved as the Chief Technical Adviser, concentrating on fundraising, networking, and assisting the Board and managers.

Maria Camila Medina, CNP, M.S., M.A.

Executive Director, The Guatemalan Tomorrow Fund 

Driving Global Impact: Resilience, Education, and Sustainable Development

As the Executive Director of the Guatemalan Tomorrow Fund, Maria Camila is the operational and strategic engine supporting Ak’ Tenamit in Guatemala. She spearheads critical initiatives focused on vocational education, job placement, and sustainable resource management to uplift indigenous youth. She is instrumental in developing innovative fundraising, enhancing communications, managing the Student Sponsorship program, and advocating for climate action through the Guatemalan Indigenous Committee on Climate Change.

Maria Camila is also the Founder and Chief Technical Adviser of The Giving Genie, an international NGO dedicated to empowering women and children in Mozambique. Under her leadership, the organization runs transformative programs:

  • The Education Program and Empower Her initiative provide tuition assistance for vocational and business skills, alongside mentorship to cultivate leadership and economic independence for women.

  • The Genie Corps Emergency Response Program trains youth in disaster preparedness and life-saving skills, fostering community resilience.

  • The Genie Safe initiative empowers young community leaders (Jovens Mentores) with training in disaster preparedness and clean water management, while the Nurturing Futures program supports schools and includes the Magic Quillow project for children displaced by disasters.

  • International Disaster Response Coordinator at Food For The Poor, where she developed multi-sectoral humanitarian response strategies in collaboration with NGOs and UN clusters.

  • Senior Emergency Preparedness Officer at the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness in Louisiana, coordinating strategies aimed at strengthening community preparedness and recovery efforts across nonprofit, faith-based, and volunteer organizations.

  • Recovery Coordinator at the Florida Division of Emergency Management, providing expertise in mitigation and recovery programs across Region 8.

  • Professor of Crisis and Disaster Management at Everglades University Online Division, mentoring future leaders in this critical field.

Education: Two Master’s degrees (Nonprofit Administration and Disaster Management) and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations (Currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Executive Leadership Studies).

Certifications: Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish; certified in FEMA’s Professional Development Series, Human Trafficking Investigations, and Mental Health First Aid, among others