Founder and Director
Our Team
Our XtraOrdinary Team
Andrea Paltzer
Ana Patricia González
Programme Coordinator
Belinda Barquero
Pshychologist
María Silvia Guido
Community organiser & job placement
Natasha Mercado Ortega
Communication & Fundarising
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Board of Trustees
Carmen Romero Von Banga
Chair of the board 2017
Carmen’s impressive career spans 18 years of creating impact, CSR strategies, skilled education/apprenticeships and job creation for youth living in disadvantaged areas, as well as forming social innovative projects in developing countries. For the past 3 years she has worked with ASHOKA mentoring women entrepreneurs. She is also a published author, writer and conference speaker. Carmen believes that each individual is a natural born leader, and lives by the saying: “It doesn’t matter how many times we fall… What defines us is how well we rise after falling”.
Sophie Argles
Saatchi exhibited Sophie Argles is a UK artist based in London. Her enthusiasm and dedication to empowering the women of La Chureca through art saw her join the team in 2010. She donates exclusive designs for the Christmas and Valentine’s collections as well as Sophie’s Summer collection. Sophie works on developing the quality, individuality and marketability of the workshop’s products.
Marianne Paltzer
As XtraOrdinary Women company and charity secretary, Marianne keeps the cogs of XtraOrdinary Women turning. Marianne was crucial in the setting up of XtraOrdinary Women: as Andrea’s mother, without her encouragement and support XtraOrdinary Women would not have happened.
