Our New Executive Director

With great enthusiasm, Compañeros En Salud (CES) announces the appointment of Dr. Mariana Montaño as its new Executive Director. 

This transition marks the beginning of a new working model and a resilient continuation of our mission and unwavering commitment to access to healthcare in Chiapas. 

Dr. Mariana Montaño has ten years of experience dedicated to promoting health in rural areas of Chiapas, Mexico. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to social justice, sexual and reproductive rights, and the human right to health.

She has a solid background in social medicine, global health, and public health. In addition, she actively participates in the Committee for Safe and Voluntary Motherhood in Chiapas, a collective that advocates for key public policies for the region, and has contributed to various research and outreach articles. 

Milestones in a Career Built on Community Health

Throughout her time at Compañeros En Salud, Dr. Mariana Montaño has played a key role in strengthening the CES care model in the Chiapas Highlands. 

Strengthening Community Work (2016)

She led the expansion of the community health workers program, extending its reach to ten communities in the Frailesca region. 

This work strengthened the link between communities and health services, recognizing the fundamental role of women from the community itself as caregivers and supporters. 

Promoting a Respectful Maternity Model (2017–2023)

She coordinated the maternal health program and supported the consolidation of the Maternal Care Centers as women-centered care spaces, where nurses and midwives collaborate to provide compassionate, respectful, and culturally appropriate care. 

In 2023, this model was strengthened with the opening of a second Maternal House in Siltepec, expanding care to communities throughout the region. 

Strengthening Partnerships for Public Health

Throughout its history, it has fostered collaboration with the Ministry of Health, local authorities, and academic institutions, strengthening ties that enable the sharing of knowledge, the training of new professionals, and long-term contributions to strengthening the health system in the Chiapas Highlands. 

“I take on this responsibility with the certainty that my 11-year career at CES supports the strategic vision I hold today. My commitment to the organization and our patients goes beyond the professional realm. 

This decision stems from a deep conviction: this is not just a temporary workplace, but the place I have chosen to live and serve my community. From this position of deep roots and knowledge of the region, I take on the leadership of the organization with the firm conviction of enhancing our impact and optimizing resources to ensure the well-being of the population we serve”

This decision stems from a deep conviction: this is not just a temporary job, but the place I have chosen to live and serve my community. 

Our deepest gratitude to Dr. Valeria Macías

This new chapter is possible thanks to the solid foundation we have built. We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr. Valeria Macías, the outgoing Executive Director, who has guided the organization’s growth over the past few years with vision, empathy, and exceptional commitment. Thank you for leaving an indelible mark!

With this appointment, Compañeros En Salud continues and reaffirms its commitment to equity, social justice, and the strengthening of local health systems. We are ready to continue collaborating with communities. 

Would you like to learn more about our work model? Visit our section on Programs

For the past 15 years, Compañeros en Salud has worked alongside communities in the Sierra Madre and Frailesca regions of Chiapas to bring healthcare to where it is needed most. Every donation helps us continue building a more equitable healthcare system in Jaltenango and Siltepec. Thank you for walking with us.