Ms. Estrella Merlos joined UNITAR in May 2013 and is responsible for overseeing, coordinating, and supporting the CIFAL Global Network, comprised of 16 training centres. Additionally, she supports and oversees UNITAR’s affiliated International Training Centre for Corporate Opportunities (ITCCO) based in Belgium. Estrella is also charged with designing and developing capacity-building programs for local authorities. Previously, Estrella served as President of UNITAR’s training centre in the United States, CIFAL Atlanta- working together with strategic partners, various UN agencies, and donors, and leading the development and implementation of training programs. In November 2012, Estrella was appointed by UN Assistant Secretary-General Sally Fegan-Wyles as a UNITAR Associated Fellow. Before joining CIFAL, Estrella worked as Chief Economist at the National Association of the Private Sector (ANEP) in El Salvador, where she developed socio-economic policy proposals for government administrations. Her experience also includes humanitarian supplies management and mobilization of national and international aid following major disaster strikes such as the 2001 earthquakes in El Salvador. Estrella graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Central American University José Simeón Cañas and a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from Georgia State University. She was a Fulbright Scholar in the United States studying public policy, urban planning, and economic development.