Manuela Vergara

Chile California Council

The Chile-California Council is an international non-profit organization that promotes mutually beneficial relationships and knowledge sharing between Chile and California in both the private and public sectors. CCC's story starts in 1963 with the inception of the Chile California Program, signed between both regions as part of John F. Kennedy's Alliance for Progress. This accord was re-launched in 2008 with the creation of the Plan Chile California signed between Chile's President Michelle Bachelet and California's then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Three years later, the CCC was born and in 2012 it appointed its first Executive Director and established five focus areas: Innovation and Technology; Academia, Education and Research Exchange; Trade; State and society; Environment, Energy and Resource Management. Since then, CCC has expanded its influence as a strategic synergy facilitator between Chile and California. Currently, the CCC functions thanks to an actively involved Board of Directors, Councilors and by staff in both Chile and California. Board: Rafael Friedmann, Chair Cristián Sjögren, Vice President in Chile Jake Leraul, Treasurer Bárbara Silva Lovell (Tu) Jarvis Tomás Mckay Ralph Benson Tatiana Molina Eduardo Bendek Staff: Representative of de Chile California Council: Matias Alcalde Program Manager: Josefina Edwards Designer and Social Media Manager: Sophie Barroilhet