Mission

Connect the public and private sectors of Chile and California in order to boost the economies of the future through science and technology, for nature and for people.

Vision

Collective action and international public-private collaboration will accelerate the transition to a cleaner and more equitable future.

Our History

1963


Inception of the Chile California Program. In the early 1960’s, Chile and California signed an agreement as part of John F. Kennedy’s Alliance for Progress Program.

2008

Launch of the Chile California Plan. The Chile California Plan was created as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding between Chile’s President Michelle Bachelet and California’s then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

2011

The Chile California Council incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization during President Sebastián Piñera’s visit to California, bringing together representatives from both public and private sectors.

2012

The CCC starts operations by appointing an Executive Director and forming a Board with 5 committees: Environment, Innovation, Education, Trade, and Society.

2013

Chile and California renew an Agreement for Collaboration. Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom gives keynote address during CCC Annual Meeting highlighting the importance of technology in governance.

2014

The CCC Board of Councilors approves a strategic plan for the next 4 years, emphasizing functional areas such as fundraising, communications, and finance.

2015

President Bachelet and Governor Brown signed a historic joint declaration on climate change. The new UC Davis Chile Life Sciences Innovation Center is launched.

2016

The CCC facilitates support and collaboration between CONAF and CALFIRE on wildfires prevention and control, and between Chile’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI) and California’s Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) on disaster management.

2017

The CCC focuses on three areas: Natural Resources Management, State and Society, and Technology. It creates “Chile- Spark Funding,” a lean platform to finance initial steps for mutually beneficial projects in Chile and California.

2018

The CCC holds its first major conference on renewable resources, storage, and electric mobility.

2019

The CCC focuses on actions that enable transformational processes related to addressing the climate crisis. The CCC participates in the organization of the COP25, showcasing policies and a Chilean scientific cohort studying climate effects along Chile’s coastlines.

2020

Humanity faces a pandemic while the Chile California Council continues to adapt to the new normal by participating in webinars where issues relevant in today’s world are discussed.

2021

The CCC focuses on in-depth structuring and consolidation of miscelaneous initiatives, with emphasis in ocean governance, particularly to clean energy transition and coastal protection.

2022

Integration of innovation and investments (“Innovation & Investments”) into the current focus of the CCC program (“Science & Policy”), to accelerate climate solutions and shift towards sustainable development.

Our Team

Driving change
between Chile and California

Daniela Montiel

Daniela Montiel

Program Director

Daniela Montiel is a professional with extensive experience in public policy and communications, international relations, and the development of strategic partnerships. She currently serves as Program Director at the Chile California Council, where she leads the design and implementation of programs that foster collaboration between Chile and California in areas of mutual interest. Previously, she contributed to the development of Chile’s country brand for seven years as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Imagen de Chile. Her experience also includes managing economic development projects at the United Nations, focused on open data, broadband policies, and sustainable transportation. Daniela holds a master’s degree in Public Diplomacy from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Literature from Loyola Marymount University.

Ana Pezo

Ana Pezo

Consultant

Ana is an Industrial Civil Engineer with a Global MBA from the University of Chile and Cranfield School of Management. She has over 15 years of experience in project management, business partnerships, and project development in both public and private organizations, addressing issues across various sectors such as information technology, human resources, logistics, and mobility. With a strong focus on management and strategy, she has participated in the design, application, and execution of projects for nonprofit organizations. She currently works as a consultant for the Chile-California Council, whose mission is to promote a mutually beneficial relationship between Chile and California from a public-private perspective. She is also part of Fundación Llampangui Chile, which focuses on environmental and heritage conservation in northern Chile (Coquimbo region).