Our Board and Association

Inspiration. Dedication. Innovation.

A community effort

Association Futuro Verde

Multiculturalism, environmentalism, and social consciousness is the basis for the FUTURO VERDE PROJECT.

The Futuro Verde Project is an association with the goal to create a community education.

Centro Educativo International Bilingüe Futuro Verde

Private bilingual international school which is auto-financed by monthly school fees and which extends scholarships of some kind to at least 30% of the student body.

Jennifer Middleton

President- Elected October 2021

Jennifer is originally from Southern California and first moved to Costa Rica in August of 2013. For two years she taught middle school science and health at Futuro Verde. Futuro Verde was actually where Jennifer first began her teaching career. She moved back to California in 2015 and her eldest son, Atlas, was born later that year. Jennifer continued to teach science and health to middle schoolers in California until January of 2019 when her second son, Apollo, was born. Her family then moved back to Costa Rica in July of 2019 to run her family’s hotel business, Aves Hotel and Resort. She knew she wanted to get involved in the school again, so she ran for the secretary position on the Board of Directors and was elected later that year. Currently, she serves as president on the Board, teaches IB Psychology and college counseling classes to high school students, while also managing her family´s hotel business. Jennifer is passionate about Futuro Verde and deeply committed to its vision, mission and future success.

Soledad Yacob

Vice President

About Soledad

Soledad, a nature and organic education enthusiast. Hailing from Argentina, Buenos Aires Province, she worked in the administrative sector at a road construction company before dedicating herself to promoting sustainability for over 15 years. In 2014, she met Luis, her current partner, with whom she has been working in Private Gastronomy up to the present day.

In 2016, her first daughter, Almendra, was born, who currently attends third grade at Futuro Verde School.Soledad has discovered her passion for Natural Medicine in Mexico and has specialized in Herbal Therapy and Floral Medicine. Her main objective is to improve communication with the school and the represented parents, with the intention of achieving a common benefit and addressing the needs of everyone as much as possible. She aims to integrate the possibility of shared growth in this unique community that values nature and conscious education.

Katherine Schenone

Secretary - Elected March 2023

About Kate

My name is Kate Schenone MacGregor and I have two children at Futuro Verde; Inigo in 1st grade and Ophelia in 4th grade. I am from England and my husband, Salvador, is Argentinian. We have lived in Costa Rica since 2013. I graduated from University College London with a degree in Modern Iberian and Latin American Studies. After deciding to live in Argentina with my husband, I acquired a TEFL and taught mainly business English. I enjoyed obtaining diplomas in art, ceramics and mosaics along the way, which have all contributed to my teaching career. Realizing this was my vocation, I returned to London, England and completed a PGCE at Goldsmiths University, enabling me to teach in schools worldwide. Beginning my teaching journey in London, teaching in both the private and public sector, I was fortunate enough to arrive at Only Love School in Mal País in 2014 where I have been in my element teaching ever since. In January of this year I decided to explore a slightly different route and have immersed myself in our family business thus, providing me with an opportunity to indulge in a different form of creativity as well as having more time to spend with the family. Having had nearly 20 years experience of teaching in schools, as well as being bilingual in English and Spanish, I am passionate about ensuring that children receive the necessary education and support that is impertinent to their emotional, physical, cognitive, social and linguistic development throughout their school years, and I thus hope to make great progress on the board, along with the other team members.

Elizabeth Gómez

Board Comptroller - Elected November 2022

About Eli

Born and raised in Costa Rica, I am the broker for Coldwell Banker Sunset Reef Realty. With more than 6 years of specialization in real estate in the Nicoya Peninsula, I have extensive knowledge of Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Tambor and its surroundings. I moved to Santa Teresa 9 years ago. To connect even more with nature and enjoy the beautiful coastline. Through my experiences and contacts, I have created several genuine connections with opportunities within the area. Also, I have a degree in Digital Photography. Outside of real estate, I am a dedicated and loving mother of two daughters, purple belt holder in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, passionate Mountain Biker, and StrongFirst Certified Fitness Instructor.

Aida Rodriguez

Board Vocal I - Elected March 2023

About Aida

Estudios de Diseño de Interiores y Antropología Social en la Escuela Nacional de Antropología e Historia de la Ciudad de México. Desarrolló su proceso artístico principalmente en México de 2002 a 2017. Su trabajo se centró en la Dirección de Arte y Decoración en Cine, Videoclips y publicidad. Algunas de sus películas son: “Los 33” filmada en Colombia y Chile, con Antonio Banderas y Juliette Binoche, “Sin Nombre” de Cary Fukunaga. En 2011 realizó su primera exposición en Casa Mérida llamada “Pura Vida”, donde presentó su primera colección de muebles restaurados en una casa construida a principios del siglo XX. En 2014 expuso en Mat Collition, una tienda de muebles especializada en la recuperación de piezas antiguas. En 2017 realizó su primera línea de muebles infantiles restaurados y participó en un Festival de productos exclusivos para niños. De 2018 a 2021 fue profesora de Dirección de Arte para cine en la Escuela de Cine y TV de la Universidad Veritas. Actualmente es Directora de Proyectos de un proyecto Comercial / Cultural en Malpaís, y prepara la apertura de una Galería de Muebles y Arte Costarricense en San Isidro de Cóbano.

Cristina Aguinagalde

Board Vocal III - Re-elected October 2020

About Cristina

Cristina Aguinagalde is Spanish and has lived in Costa Rica since 2010. She holds a Law Degree from the Complutense University of Madrid, and from the University of Costa Rica. In addition, she has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Law from the Universidad Complutense and a Master’s Degree in Business Law from Centro de Estudios Garrigues in collaboration with Harvard Law School. When she moved to Costa Rica, she lived in San José for 7 years working as an internal auditor of environmental and occupational health systems for large companies. With the birth of her first son, Mateo, she began to think about the idea of living on the beach, but it was with the birth of her second daughter, Itziar, in 2016, when the family made the decision to move to Santa Teresa. Currently, Cristina manages construction projects and properties under development. In her free time she enjoys scuba diving and reading.

Jeffe Tanghe

Board Vocal II

About Jeffe

Jeffe has made Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, her home for over a decade. Originally from Belgium, she moved here and built a life with her husband and five children. She have journeyed from a career in business psychology to owning a boutique hotel and is currently active in real estate. Every step has been a learning experience for Jeffe. She firmly believes in an open mindset, valuing the power of listening and dialogue in all Interactions. She is passionate about serving on the Futuro Verde School Board

Matthew Heywood

Treasurer

About Matt

Matt was born in London and raised in Córdoba, Argentina. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering with over 10 years experience in Purchasing, Supply Chain Management and Production Planning working for multinationals in the Automotive and Food & Beverage industries in Europe, Argentina and Australia. In 2013, an overland motorbike trip from Argentina with his now partner, Ceci, brought them to Costa Rica for the first time. They then settled down in Nicaragua for 4 years, where their entrepreneurial spirit was unlocked. Since then, they have started 3 successful Hotels and Restaurants together, currently owning and running Calala Lodge in Cabuya since 2018. Their oldest son is in second grade and their youngest will be joining the FV family soon. Earlier this year Matt got much more involved with the FV community and leadership, committing to actively support Futuro Verde’s growth and development.