Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Languages
Additional Experience
General Information
Websites
Timeline
Generic
Carlos Proaño S.

Carlos Proaño S.

Quito

Summary

Strategic leader with 20+ years of global experience in business management, sustainability, and project management, specializing in regenerative agriculture and stakeholder engagement. Proven track record in leading cross-functional teams of 35+ professionals, managing complex projects with social impact, and implementing transformative business strategies across the Andean Region. Multilingual professional with deep expertise in developing rural communities, building strategic alliances, and advocating for environmental and social responsibility.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Senior Manager |

SAMANA - Regenerative Agriculture
Quito
01.2020 - Current
  • Designed and implemented Ecuador's first research and education center linked to international Syntropic Agriculture movement, demonstrating expertise in rural development and agricultural innovation.
  • Coordinated the end-to-end supply chain, overseeing sourcing of seeds, plants, and agricultural inputs from local and regional suppliers.
  • Led the development and execution of a comprehensive 10-year regeneration project plan, successfully implementing establishment phases across 10 hectares of productive areas, water conservation, ecological corridors, and conservation zones.
  • Transformed community resistance into support through effective social management and educational initiatives, establishing equitable water distribution systems.
  • Established three productive Agroforestry Systems with +90 experiments, +5,100+ trees, +15,800+ plants, and +64 species in just 24 months, showcasing strong project management and workload prioritization skills.
  • Collaborated with farmers, suppliers, and research partners to ensure sustainable sourcing and traceability, supporting the integrity of regenerative agriculture practices.

SIY Certified Teacher |

Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI)
San Francisco
01.2019 - 09.2022
  • Trained entire staff of three companies in mindfulness-based emotional intelligence programs developed at Google and supported by neuroscience research.
  • Provided 130+ hours of classes and practices to 50+ individuals during the pandemic as a social service initiative.
  • First and only certified teacher in Ecuador after completing a rigorous one-year training program, demonstrating commitment to developing strong interpersonal relationships and team dynamics.

Professor of Executive and Professional Programs |

USFQ (Universidad San Francisco de Quito)
Quito
01.2016 - 12.2020
  • Developed and delivered content for 7 executive programs and 2 corporate workshops in business management and innovation, rated as "very relevant" by client companies.
  • Updated knowledge and facilitated learning for over 120 executives and mid-level professionals from diverse industries, demonstrating strong interpersonal relationships and capacity building.
  • Promoted team alignment and cross-functional collaboration by engaging participants with varied backgrounds, roles, and experience levels.
  • Achieved a 3.6/4 instructor rating, reflecting excellence in communication, stakeholder engagement, and the ability to motivate and inspire professionals at all career stages.
  • Designed and implemented curricula that encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and the practical application of concepts, supporting business transformation and social responsibility objectives.
  • Collaborated with corporate clients to align program goals with organizational strategy, strengthening stakeholder management and ensuring measurable impact.

Consultant |

Top Level Management (TLM)
Quito
01.2015 - 12.2019
  • Completed 15 projects with 10 different clients across 6 industries in 3 years, showcasing adaptability and business transformation expertise.
  • Successfully secured the firm's first international client based in the USA in 2019.
  • Provided strategic consulting in management, marketing, culture, and leadership to CEOs and their teams.
  • Developed and implemented marketing strategies, digital acquisition approaches, and communication plans for organizations seeking business transformation.

Marketing Manager Andean Region & Caribbean |

F.V. AREA ANDINA
Quito
12.2013 - 12.2018
  • Integrated sustainability and environmental responsibility into business strategy by leading the company’s participation as a Director on the Board of the Ecuador Green Building Council, promoting sustainable construction standards and advocating for green building practices across the industry.
  • Led and optimized a high-performance team of 35, ensuring strong team alignment and resource management, which increased sales by 10% and reduced costs by 19% over five years in a mature industry.
  • Created and led a water-efficient product design project in partnership with Ecuador’s largest university, engaging faculty and students to develop sustainable solutions, drive stakeholder collaboration, and advance the company’s water conservation, CSR, and supply chain sustainability initiatives.
  • Created and executed 360° strategic marketing and digital transformation strategies, achieving high visibility, participation, and ROI.
  • Coordinated cross-functional teams to improve supply chain responsiveness and customer satisfaction.

Marketing Manager |

EPACEM - Agroindustry & Food Sector
Quito
01.2012 - 12.2013
  • Led the marketing department for a major palm oil company, working directly with large-scale, industrial agricultural operations encompassing extensive palm oil plantations.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams across production, supply chain, and field management to align marketing strategies with the realities of industrial-scale palm oil cultivation, including crop management, harvesting, and processing practices.
  • Conducted comprehensive product portfolio analysis and optimization based on insights from the company’s industrial agricultural operations, supporting both business growth and operational efficiency (business management, workload prioritization).
  • Initiated and structured a Trade Marketing program to boost mass consumer sales, integrating knowledge of the palm oil value chain from plantation to final product (business transformation, agriculture & rural development).
  • Gained practical exposure to industrial agricultural practices such as large-scale crop planning, field management, and sustainable cultivation methods relevant to palm oil production (social responsibility, sustainable agriculture)47.
  • Supported stakeholder engagement with local communities, suppliers, and distributors, ensuring alignment with best practices in ethical sourcing and environmental stewardship.

Marketing Chief, Country Management Committee |

AGLOMERADOS COTOPAXI - Timber, Forestry & Wood Panel Industry
Quito
01.2009 - 12.2012
  • Managed marketing and business results for local and international markets, collaborating closely with supply chain, production, and logistics teams to ensure effective product flow from plantation to end customer.
  • Established and nurtured relationships with European suppliers and providers, including on-site visits, to optimize procurement processes and ensure compliance with international quality and sustainability standards.
  • Collaborated closely with forestry and plantation management teams of extensive tree plantations and conservation areas, gaining direct exposure to industrial forestry operations, sustainable land management, and agricultural practices.
  • Supported and communicated the achievement of FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certification for company plantations, actively participating in the promotion of responsible forestry, sustainable sourcing, and compliance with international environmental standards.
  • Coordinated marketing and communication strategies for local and international markets, managing the creation and distribution of 100+ materials across four countries and consistently highlighting sustainable forestry practices, conservation initiatives, and the environmental benefits of certified wood products.
  • Contributed to risk management and decision-making processes in the supply chain through analysis and simulation related to production machinery supporting the company’s efforts to optimize resource use and minimize environmental impact.
  • Refreshed company and product brands to reflect a strong sustainability ethos, reinforcing the value of certified, responsibly managed timber in the marketplace.

Marketing Chief, Later Also Sales Manager |

QUIMASOC - Chemical industry
Quito
01.2005 - 12.2007
  • Led branding and marketing strategy for six product categories and 300+ products, identifying new market opportunities and driving an 11% increase in sales, while embedding principles of responsible marketing and sustainable value creation.
  • Supported the company’s Responsible Care® initiative, the chemical industry’s global voluntary commitment to continually improve health, safety, environmental, and security performance, and to promote sustainable development throughout the product life cycle.
  • Collaborated in the implementation and communication of Responsible Care® practices, including resource efficiency, waste minimization, and transparent reporting, aligning with international standards for sustainable chemicals management.
  • Engaged with cross-functional teams to support third-party certification processes and compliance with Responsible Care® requirements, reinforcing the company’s reputation for ethical business conduct and commitment to the well-being of people and the environment.
  • Fostered strategic alliances with European multinationals, strengthening the company’s position as a responsible partner in the global chemical supply chain.
  • Promoted stakeholder engagement and open communication, key tenets of Responsible Care®, to build trust with customers, regulators, and the broader community.

Education

Master (coursework not thesis) - Consulting & Executive Coaching

UNIVERSIDAD SALAMANCA
SPAIN
01.2020

Executive Education - Innovation of Products & Services

MIT - SLOAN
Boston, MA, USA
01.2016

Master Business Administration - Marketing specialization

ROTTERDAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
Rotterdam, NETHERLANDS
01.2009

MBA - exchange between world's top MBA programs

IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL
Barcelona, SPAIN
01.2008

BA - Marketing & International Business specialization

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
East Lansing, MI, USA
01.2004

Liberal Arts -

UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO
Quito, ECUADOR
01.2001

Skills

  • Regenerative agriculture
  • Business process improvement
  • Organizational transformation
  • Rural development initiatives
  • Coaching methodologies
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Customer relationship management
  • Sustainability strategies
  • Conservation methods
  • Wildlife management practices
  • Forestry management skills
  • Strategic planning expertise
  • Leadership development programs
  • Multilingual communication skills
  • Multicultural skills
  • Global business strategy
  • Consumer behavior insights
  • Supply chain optimization
  • Consulting proficiency
  • Information technology skills
  • AI and programming knowledge
  • Mindfulness techniques
  • Emotional intelligence development
  • Conscious leadership
  • Team alignment

Certification

  • BIOMAS, Syntropic Agriculture, CEPEAS, 2nd generation, Brasil.
  • PMI - Certified Associate in Project Management (in progress).
  • Fundamentals of Cyber Resilience and Risk Management (in progress).
  • Data Engineer, (in progress).
  • Cybersecurity Fundamentals.
  • Hubspot Inbound Marketing.
  • HubSpot - Growth Driven Design Certified.
  • Profesorado de Yoga - Yoga Alliance.
  • Global Impactum - Certified International Coach.
  • SIYLI - Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute, SIY Certified Teacher.
  • HubSpot - Inbound Marketing Certified.
  • PQ, Positive Intelllgence Certified Coach, USA
  • Permaculture Design Certificate PDC - Permaculture Research Institute
  • GBC - Green Building Council- Intro to LEED Certification.

Languages

Spanish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
German
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Portuguese
Elementary (A2)
A2
Italian
Elementary (A2)
A2
Dutch
Beginner
A1
French
Beginner
A1

Additional Experience

  • Board of Directors, Ecuador Green Building Council | 2013-2018
  • Board of Directors, Ecuadorean-Colombian Chamber of Commerce and Industry | 2009-2011
  • Research Symposium Participant, Management Research Trends: Nurturing Innovation | Harvard University campus, Cambridge, USA | 2019
  • Director, Sustainable Business Club, Rotterdam School of Management | 2007
  • Strategy Project Consultant, Refinery of Quito Project, | 2007
  • Project Consultant, Tamoil, Rotterdam, Netherlands | 2007
  • Sales Representative, Inside Sales, Marcus Evans, Detroit, USA | 2003
  • Trainee, Personal Systems Division, IBM, Stuttgart, Germany | 2002
  • Trainee, food industry, Confiteca, Ecuador | 2000

General Information

  • Rede Àgua se Planta, member Brazil
  • Finalist, AT Kearney, 11th Global Business Case Award
  • Full scholarship recipient, Rotterdam School of Management
  • GMAT, score 710, 94% percentile, compared to worldwide test takers
  • Member, American Marketing Association
  • Co-founder, MSU Oratory Club
  • High Honors, MSU
  • IB courses and alumni, Colegio Americano de Quito

Timeline

Senior Manager |

SAMANA - Regenerative Agriculture
01.2020 - Current

SIY Certified Teacher |

Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI)
01.2019 - 09.2022

Professor of Executive and Professional Programs |

USFQ (Universidad San Francisco de Quito)
01.2016 - 12.2020

Consultant |

Top Level Management (TLM)
01.2015 - 12.2019

Marketing Manager Andean Region & Caribbean |

F.V. AREA ANDINA
12.2013 - 12.2018

Marketing Manager |

EPACEM - Agroindustry & Food Sector
01.2012 - 12.2013

Marketing Chief, Country Management Committee |

AGLOMERADOS COTOPAXI - Timber, Forestry & Wood Panel Industry
01.2009 - 12.2012

Marketing Chief, Later Also Sales Manager |

QUIMASOC - Chemical industry
01.2005 - 12.2007

Master (coursework not thesis) - Consulting & Executive Coaching

UNIVERSIDAD SALAMANCA

Executive Education - Innovation of Products & Services

MIT - SLOAN

Master Business Administration - Marketing specialization

ROTTERDAM SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

MBA - exchange between world's top MBA programs

IESE BUSINESS SCHOOL

BA - Marketing & International Business specialization

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Liberal Arts -

UNIVERSIDAD SAN FRANCISCO DE QUITO

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Carlos Proaño S.