Announcing the Winners of the 2024 Luis von Ahn Visionary Award

Introducing the Award

Honoring Outstanding Citizens building a brighter future for Guatemala

The Luis von Ahn Visionary Award was established to recognize outstanding citizens in various fields of society who contribute significantly and have the potential to build a freer, fairer and more equal opportunity country. The award prioritizes potential impact over past achievements, focusing on visionary individuals who exemplify integrity, excellence and innovation.

Meet the 2024 Winners

We are proud to present the winners of the first edition of the Luis von Ahn Visionary Award. Congratulations to the 2024 recipients!

Meet Roberto

An Aerospace Engineer with dreams to explore the cosmos and protect Earth.

Field: Science, Technology, and Innovation
Birthplace: San José, CA, USA (Guatemalan roots)

Biography & Work

Roberto Crespo is a leading aerospace engineer with a background in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of California, Berkeley and Davis. Currently, he works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Near Earth Object Surveyor (NEOS) project. He has designed critical instruments for space exploration, including the Curiosity Rover for Mars. He is also on the board of directors of MathKind and is involved in the design of a telescope in Guatemala to discover potentially dangerous asteroids and comets, which will be launched in 2026.

Roberto aims to inspire young people to follow their dreams and have amazing experiences like his own.

Previous Recognitions

Roberto has been recognized by NASA for his contributions to space missions and has received multiple engineering awards, including the NASA Engineering and Safety Center Award.

Meet Carmelina

An Anthropologist & Educator championing Mayan women's empowerment.

Field: Anthropology & Education

Birthplace: Guatemala

Biography & Work

Carmelina Espantzay is a sworn translator, linguist, has a Master's degree in Ethnographic Research, Anthropological Theory and Intercultural Relations from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and has a doctorate in social and cultural anthropology from Vanderbilt University. Her research focuses on ethnic and gender equity and the participation of Mayan women in empowerment strategies to access spaces of power. She has contributed significantly to the development of educational materials in the Kaqchikel language.

She is co-founder of the Kaqchiquel Winäq collective, and a member of the board of directors of MAIA, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of girls in Sololá.

Previous Recognitions

Carmelina has been awarded research grants from The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund and the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) International Peace Scholarship.

Meet Philip

A Social Entrepreneur bringing clean water to millions.

Field: Social Entrepreneurship
Birthplace: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Biography & Work

Philip Wilson is the founder of Ecofiltro, a social enterprise dedicated to providing clean water to families in Guatemala. With a business administration background from The Wharton School and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Notre Dame, Philip has made significant strides in social entrepreneurship. Ecofiltro aims to reach one million families in Guatemala by 2025 and has already impacted over 2.5 million people globally.

Additionally, in 2021, he opened the doors of a disruptive innovation center, El Cubo Center, to attract more and better jobs to the area.

Previous Recognitions

Philip has received numerous accolades, including the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award from the Schwab Foundation and the G20 Social Business Challenge.

Selection Criteria

Candidates were evaluated based on their demonstrated impact, potential for future contributions, and alignment with the values of Luis von Ahn. Specific criteria included:

Positive Impact

Contribution Potential

Innovative Approach

Proven track record of positive social impact in any of the following areas: Art, Nature Conservation, Education, Social Entrepreneurship, Inclusion, Research/Academics, Investigative Journalism, Peace Promotion (dialogue/negotiation), Health, Technology and innovation

Demonstrated potential in their responsible citizen participation, commitment and positive contribution to society, contributing to building a free, fair country with equal opportunities.

Presents leadership with world-class impact, lifting Guatemala to the top, through innovation and creativity in the field.

Nominate Someone for Next Year's Award

Nominations are open! Do you know a visionary person who should be recognized? Nominate someone outstanding for next year's Luis von Ahn Visionary Award.

2025 Nominations