After 32 years of illustrious service to Horizons of Friendship (Horizons) and the people of Central America and Mexico, our executive director Patricia Rebolledo is retiring.

Born in Chile, Patricia first began working for Horizons as a consultant in 1988, when she was living in Costa Rica. She came to Canada in March 1990, hired as a program officer and became executive director of Horizons 22 years ago, in March 2000.

“Her commitment and compassion for the people of Central America has guided Horizons for the last 22 years” says board president Dr. Paul Caldwell. “Our debt to her for her leadership and guidance is immense.”

Patricia has been Executive Director for 22 years—and for many partners in the South, she is the face of Horizons over this period of time. When she visits, they greet her with open arms and huge smiles. Over her time as executive director, she has directly supervised over 400 projects, including the very successful Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health project just completed in Guatemala. Patricia is grateful for the opportunity she has had over these years, saying “Horizons has given me a home, a career and so much more. I love Horizons, the work we do, and everything that we have accomplished.” Horizons will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, and it is a remarkable achievement that Patricia has been the executive director for almost half that time.

And in her retirement—what is she going to do? She is, of course, going to volunteer—both here for Horizons, and back home in Costa Rica.

Join us in thanking Patricia for all her hard-work, and wishing her a happy retirement. It’s not a ‘Goodbye’, but we can say “Hasta Luego”, Patricia!