Carolina Garay
Professional in Political Sciences and Goverment
Vancouver,British Columbia
Summary
Carolina Garay, a professional specializing in Political Science and Government, boasts over 14 years of experience in the mining sector and holds a leadership position in Social Responsibility at Teck Resources Limited. Additionally, this expert is noted for a focus on human rights within the mining sector in Latin America.
Carolina provides specialized and continuous technical support to the Corporate Social Performance team developing recommendations and promoting strategic and innovative initiatives based on solid practical experience in the social and community environment of the mining sector in Latin America. Beyond expertise in corporate social responsibility and social performance, this professional's experience encompasses risk management, human rights due diligence, free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), involuntary resettlement, risk and impact prevention, human rights risk assessment (HRRA), acquisitions, permits, and agreements, among others. Demonstrates adeptness at engaging with diverse ethnic communities, including indigenous, Afro-descendant, and non-ethnic communities. Recognized for skill in building and maintaining social and community relationships, mediation, and resolving socio-environmental conflicts in highly complex contexts.
This professional possesses a deep understanding of the socio-cultural diversity of the Latin American region and its idiosyncrasies. Equipped with strong analytical, strategic, and critical thinking skills, is committed to contributing to the sustainable development of the mining sector and the communities it operates within.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Consultant
Independent
Bogotá, Cundinamarca
07.2016 - Current
- Consulted multinational companies and investors on oil and gas, mining, energy, and cannabis in the Andean area, mainly in Colombia.
- Conducted analysis of non-financial risks such as social, cultural, political, environmental, and security.
- Researched, analyzed, identified, and mitigated complex non-financial risks during the design and implementation of projects.
- Handled social and environmental conflicts during project implementation.
- Designed stakeholders relationships strategies.
- Monitored and controlled non-financial risks.
- Designed policies of CSR.
- Consulted on the analysis and management of multicultural and highly complex contexts in Andean area, mainly in Colombia.
- Proved thorough due diligence reports to international companies and positively impacted clients' decision-making processes to develop their projects and relations with stakeholders vigorously.
- Studied non financial risks to develop and implement enhancement recommendations in the projects.
Advisor of Prior Consultation
Colombian Ministry of the Interior
Bogotá, Cundinamarca
03.2015 - 12.2015
- Conducted visits to verify the presence or absence of ethnic communities in various oil and gas projects, infrastructure, mining, and tourism.
- Issued certifications of the presence or absence of ethnic communities in the areas of different projects.
- Conducted training processes in Prior Consultation with communities and senior corporate positions in mining companies.
- Accompanied Prior Consultation processes.
- Conducted relationship processes for different ethnic communities, local and regional authorities, extractive companies, and entities such as ANH, ANM, and ANLA.
- Conducted risk identification processes with communities (risk maps and social cartographers).
- Conducted relations with NGOs, specialized agencies of the United Nations, and social organizations.
Social Management Manager
C.I. Colombia Trenaco S.A.S
Bogotá, Cundinamarca
04.2014 - 08.2014
- Projects: in Buenaventura (port and storage yard), in Cundinamarca (open-pit coal mine and quarry), and in other areas of the country (critical points) where the company transported the products to the port in Barranquilla.
- Directed the Trenaco Foundation according to the company's guidelines regarding CSR and the relationship with the different communities and local authorities, which are found in the company's diverse projects.
- Analyzed the sociopolitical and environmental risks of the company's different projects.
- Proposed strategies for managing, preventing, and mitigating non-financial risks.
- Developed relationships with ethnic and non-ethnic communities.
- Advanced mediation processes that lead to resolving social and environmental conflicts.
- Designed sociopolitical and environmental impact indicators.
- Verified compliance with the objectives set out in the different projects' Environmental Management Plans (PMA) and Environmental Impact Studies (EIA).
- Evaluated and monitored social investment plans.
Manager of CSR and Local Communities
Global Interamerican Coal, Currently Minerals
Bogotá, Cundinamarca
07.2012 - 05.2014
- Projects: Underground mining in Norte de Santander, Port in El Cesar, coke ovens in Boyacá, and commercialization-transport of coal in Norte de Santander to Maracaibo (Venezuela).
- Structured and directed the area of Corporate Social Responsibility and all processes related to the relationship with government and communities. Designed and executed different social investment plans.
- Carried out the mapping, identification, and analysis of the stakeholders.
- Designed and implemented relationship strategies.
- Led, coached, and successfully managed team personnel through active engagement, constructive feedback and dynamic communication.
- Designed and implemented roadmaps, strategies and tactical actions.
- Carried out the respective risk analysis of the company's different projects.
- Design strategies to prevent risks and mitigate adverse effects.
- Designed and executed the Resettlement Plan, following the guidelines proposed by the World Bank (CFI standards) and the Inter-American Development Bank, to arrange the port into operation.
- Generated local and regional development strategies through
- Analyzed the dynamics of violence and armed conflict in the different territories.
- Designed and executed communication tools and strategies.
- Generated the respective synergies with the areas of the company.
- Designed and execute internal and external communication strategies. Articulated company policies, and sustainability policies, according to international standards and national legislation.
- Successfully advanced different processes of mediation and consultation, which led to resolving conflicts.
- Carried out the respective relationship with the central, regional, and local government and state agencies.
- Created and implemented a system of early warning of risks, sustainability indicators, and a follow-up and monitoring system.
- Managed and high-governance relations corporate and with the communities.
Social Manager
C.I. Colombia Trenaco S.A.S
Bogotá, Cundinamarca
02.2012 - 07.2012
- Carried out the process of rapprochement, community knowledge of the area of the company's mining project, and the generation of relationships of trust and credibility with the community.
Education
Associate of Science - Human Rights
Graduate School of Public Administration
Bogotá-Colombia12.2010
Bachelor of Science - Political Science And Government
University of Rosario
Bogotá-Colombia11.2007
Skills
- Process Optimization
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Analytical, Global, and Critical Thinking
- Stakeholders Engagement
- Subject Matter Expert
- Project Analysis and implementation
- Timeline Development
- Client Requirements Assessment
- Reports and Documentation
- Continuous Improvement
- Integrity and Honesty
- Cultural Awareness
- Project Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Research and Development
- Calm and Professional Under Pressure
- Upbeat and Positive Personality
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Strategic and assertive communication
- Multitasking and Prioritization
- High-Energy Attitude
- Adaptive Team Player
- Detail-oriented focus on achieving expected outcomes
- Business Development Understanding
- Complex Problem-Solving Abilities
- Stakeholder Management
- Work Ethic
- Reliable and Trustworthy
- People and Social Skills
- Active Listening
- Continuously Learning
- Organizational Skills
- Conflict Mediation and Resolution
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- Relationship Building
- Working Collaboratively
- Risk Mitigation
- Cultivating Strategic and Persuasive Relationships
- Communicates Effectively With Higher Management and Peers
- Global Long-Term Vision
- High Sense of Belonging, Responsibility, and Commitment
- Business Planning
- Attentive and Goal-Focused
- Team Leadership
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Ability to Adapt to Multicultural Environments
- Facility to relate to Different Organizational Levels
- Daily Operations Management
- Board Reporting
- Project Management
- People Management
- External and Public Relations
- Organizational Development
- Program Guidelines Adherence
- Charismatic Leader
- Corrective Actions
- Innovation and Creativity
- Budget Management
- Program Scheduling
- Administration and Reporting
- Technical Proficiency
- Research Information Sourcing
- Strategy Planning
Timeline
Consultant
Independent
07.2016 - Current
Advisor of Prior Consultation
Colombian Ministry of the Interior
03.2015 - 12.2015
Social Management Manager
C.I. Colombia Trenaco S.A.S
04.2014 - 08.2014
Manager of CSR and Local Communities
Global Interamerican Coal, Currently Minerals
07.2012 - 05.2014
Social Manager
C.I. Colombia Trenaco S.A.S
02.2012 - 07.2012
Associate of Science - Human Rights
Graduate School of Public Administration
Bachelor of Science - Political Science And Government
University of Rosario