Carola Barcena Menendez

Carola Barcena is a senior nonprofit leader with experience in education, organizational governance, and program development supporting students and families. She combines an analytical background in engineering with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership and educational continuity initiatives.

Carola served for many years as president of a nonprofit organization in Mexico and subsequently as a member of its Board of Directors, developing extensive experience in strategic planning, governance, program administration, and organizational leadership. Her current interests focus on education, nonprofit management, and developing sustainable programs that help students and families navigate unexpected financial circumstances. Early in her career, she researched at the Mexican Petroleum Institute, focusing on the sustainability of Maya crude oil.

Carola has a longstanding connection with Harvard University. Among other things, she participated in the Corporate Partners Program at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies, supporting Corporate Partners and Advisory Board meetings with the late David Rockefeller. She later co-hosted the Harvard Alumni Association’s Latin American Regional Meeting in Puebla and co-organized “Harvard Comes to Mexico,” which welcomed Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust to Mexico City. She continues her engagement with the University through the Harvard College Host Family Program, the Harvard College Fund Parents Committee, and as a proud Senior Common Room Member at Winthrop House.

Carola holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Universidad de las Américas Puebla (UDLAP) in Mexico.