Staff and Volunteers

Magdalena Del Pilar Rubio, World Centre Manager

My name is Mapi Rubio -Magdalena del Pilar Rubio Echániz-

I was born in Mexico City and 15 years ago I moved to Cuernavaca. Before, I’ve lived in Veracruz, a port at the Gulf of Mexico, and in San Antonio, TX, USA.

I have a big family: a 16 year old daughter, 3 brothers, 3 sisters in law, nieces, nephews, and my mom and dad.

Before I came to Our Cabaña, I worked as a consultant in institutional development for the strengthening of social civil organizations –NGO´s- in Mexico and abroad.

My mother was one of the first guides in Mexico and when I was 9 I joined the closest Guide Unit, and many years later, when my daughter was 4, I took her to the Guides in Cuernavaca. I became a “girasol” -spark leader- and for the past 6 years I served in the National Board of Guias de Mexico, first as the National Commissioner and then as the National President. I was very proud meeting our membership goal as part of the International Signature Programme of WAGGGS.

I enjoy water activities as snorkeling, scuba diving and swimming. I love to travel around the world and whenever possible I travel with my daughter. I am grateful that through my guiding and professional activities I have had a lot of opportunities to travel, within Mexico and around the world.

Vicky Gagliano, Deputy World Centre Manager

My name is Vicky Gagliano. I was born in Uruguay and when I was six years old my family moved to Argentina, there I had the chance to get involved in Guiding. I have been in all the branches before I became a Guide Leader in 1997. I was a leader for 4 years and then I started to work in my council as the Program Director. In December 2002 I came to Our Cabaña as a Program Volunteer for four months and I never left. I have been the Assistant Program Manager, then the Program Manager and now the Deputy World Centre Manager.

Before I came here I went to the “Universidad del Litoral” in Santa Fe, Argentina and I got a degree in Spanish language and literature. My hobbies are: reading, going to the cinema and traveling around the world.

Rachel Swygart, Program Manager

Hi, my name is Rachel and I am from Croydon which is in South London, UK.

I have been involved in Guiding for a long time ever since I was a Brownie, right up to a Senior Section member and then a leader. Most recently I have been a leader with Brownies and Rainbows, but have in the past worked with Guides and Senior Section.

Before I came to the Cabana I was working for Girlguiding UK for nine years most recently as a Senior Project Co-ordinator for Growing Guiding. During my time at Girlguiding UK, I got a chance to be involved with lots of different projects and spent some time training leaders

During my free time I love going to the theatre, travelling and spending time with my friends and family

Angela Maria Valladares, Honduras, Assistant Program Manager

Jessie Rosenberg, Assistant Program

Hi! My name is Jessie Rosenberg and I am from Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. I have been involved in Girl Scouts since I was 7 years old. I started as a Brownie and I have been a scout ever since.

As an adult Girl Scout I worked as an after-school programmer for local schools and community centers. In that position I was able to bring Girl Scout programs and ideals to young women and girls who would normally not have an opportunity to be involved in scouting. I was also a camper and a staff member at Girl Scout Camp Occoneechee, in Mill Spring, North Carolina, for many years. There, I had the wonderful opportunity to graduate from the counselor-in-training program as a teen, go on to work as a counselor for 4 summers, and then become the Program Director during summer 2007.

I recently graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Social Work. Upon my return to the United States, I hope to work for a local county as a Child Protective Social Worker. My hobbies are reading, hiking, being silly, discovering new music, and spending time with friends and family.

Laura Watts, MD USA, Volunteer

   Rita da Silva Santos, Portugal, Volunteer

   Vanessa Schell, Alberta Canada, Volunteer

   Lori Walden, IN USA, Volunteer

   Ginny Chan, Hong Kong, Volunteer

Yumi Zabre, Mexico, Volunteer
Hi, my name is Yumi, I’m mexican-japanese and have been a guide for almost 11 years. I started as a brownie,when I was 8 years old and when I turned 17 I started helping out as an assistant leader for brownies. I worked as a volunteer for Our Cabaña in summer of 2007, and loved it. I have one younger sister who is also into guiding, and lived with my parents in Cuernavaca, until I moved out to go to college. Now I’m a sophomore at UDLA, which is in Puebla, and I’m studying a major in languages. I hope to become a professional translator someday and travel around the world.
  Maya