BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOUNDERS

One America for Hope

One America for Hope boasts a diverse, high-caliber Board of Directors with expertise in strategically selected areas of knowledge. Its members, recognized for their impeccable track records, bring a valuable international and multidisciplinary perspective to the OAH Board.

We Help Honduras Organization

The organization Ayudamos Honduras was founded by Laura Laiciuc and Gabriela Blen, along with a board of directors comprised of individuals committed to the cause. Over the years, the organization has relied on the support of dozens of volunteers, hired specialized consultants, and collaborated with partner organizations in Honduras and Central America.

Laura Laiciuc

Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors and Director of Strategy and Operations – One America for Hope and Ayudamos Honduras Organization.

Laura Laiciuc is a U.S. and European citizen. From the outset, she has led the strategic and operational development of initiatives focused on social justice, human rights, and the promotion of democratic values. Her deep commitment to women’s rights, transparency, and collective well-being led her to live for several years in Honduras and travel throughout Central America, where she specialized in political analysis and the study of the impact of corruption networks on the most vulnerable communities, as well as mechanisms to counteract them through citizen participation.

Originally from Moldova, she showed a strong sensitivity towards protecting the most vulnerable from a young age, along with a great passion for animals and science. This led her to study Veterinary Medicine and later obtain a master’s degree in Biotechnology, developing experience in scientific research and health.

Later, she worked at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States, where she strengthened her expertise in research and public service. She also pursued studies in criminology and in research on human trafficking and human rights, areas that deepened her commitment to defending human dignity and fighting corruption and exploitation.

Additionally, she is proficient in English, Spanish, Romanian, and Russian.

Gabriela Blen

Co-founder and Board Member, Executive Director – One America for Hope and Ayudamos Honduras Organization.

An anti-corruption, Human Rights activist and Honduran social leader, Gabriela gained national and international recognition as one of the most prominent figures of the «Indignados» Social Movement and the historic Torch Marches of 2015, a citizen mobilization that demanded transparency, justice, and an end to corruption in Honduras, leading to the creation of MACCIH — the OAS-backed Mission to Support the Fight against Corruption and Impunity in Honduras.

As an openly lesbian woman, Gabriela has also become a voice for intersectional leadership, inclusion, and the rights of LGBTIQ+ people within democratic and anti-corruption movements in Honduras.

She studied Law and Sociology at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), complementing her education with audiovisual production, graphic design, political leadership, and democratic participation. She is a graduate of the prestigious American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) program of the U.S. Department of State, as well as the Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Agents of Change political training program, among many other international training and leadership opportunities.

Throughout her career, Gabriela has led initiatives in social auditing, election observation, transparency, and civic education, participating in international forums and collaborating on programs for youth leadership, political participation, and democratic strengthening. Her experience combines social activism, strategic communication, and community organizing, driving projects aimed at creating opportunities and promoting a more active and informed citizenry.

Political and legislative career

Before dedicating herself to social leadership, Gabriela participated in the founding of the Anti-Corruption Party of Honduras (PAC). From its inception in 2012, she organized the Party’s Youth wing and coordinated its training and development throughout the country.

She was also part of the Strategic Planning Team responsible for developing the PAC’s government plan. Later, she served as a legislative and communications advisor in the National Congress of Honduras, participated in the government planning roundtables of the Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship, and was a candidate for Congress in 2017.

Dr. Eric Hershberg

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

He is a renowned scholar, author, and Professor Emeritus of Government at American University . He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has an unparalleled track record in public policy research and regional dynamics. He was the Founding Director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies (CLALS) at American University, leading it from its inception in 2010 until 2022. His extensive institutional experience includes serving as President of the Latin American Studies Association (LASA) and directing programs at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC). He brings to the board unmatched academic expertise in U.S.-Latin American relations, the political economy of development, and the community integration of Central American migrants.

Indyra Mendoza Aguilar

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

She is a renowned global human rights advocate, an economist who graduated from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH), and the Executive Director of the Cattrachas Lesbian Network . Her pioneering approach to data-driven activism and scientific evidence propelled the landmark ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights that held the State of Honduras responsible for the murder of trans activist Vicky Hernández, marking a regional milestone in LGBTQ+ protection. Thanks to this monumental work for justice, she was honored on the prestigious TIME100 list of the World’s Most Influential People in 2021. In addition to her social activism, she is a distinguished numismatist and author of books, educational guides, and cultural histories in her native Honduras.

Cristian Gurău

Board Member, Advisor – One America for Hope.

He is a philosopher and journalist trained at the Moldovan School of Journalism. A graduate of the Faculty of Philosophy and Communication at the University of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, he also pursued master’s studies in Clinical Psychology at the Free International University of Moldova (ULIM). His interdisciplinary profile bridges behavioral sciences, institutional communication, and analytical research. Within the social program ecosystem, he provides essential critical frameworks for human-centered design, aligning community strategies with mental health, socio-emotional well-being, and empathetic institutional communication.