uPlanner Welcomes Maria Pia Morante and Zyanya Bejarano to its Board of Directors
We are pleased to announce the addition of two notable new members to our Board of Directors: María Pia Morante and Zyanya Bejarano.
Maria Pia Morante is a renowned professional with more than 14 years of experience in the areas of Finance and Investment. Currently, she serves as Investment Director at ALIVE Ventures, leading the management of ALIVE’s impact investment portfolio in Latin America and supporting the companies in its portfolio. Previously, she held the position of Head of Equity Research at Profuturo AFP, playing a fundamental role in equity investment decisions, which gave her a deep understanding of financial markets. In addition to her role at ALIVE, Maria Pia is the current Vice President of PECAP, the venture capital and entrepreneurial capital union of Peru, and is President of Aliados de Impacto, an association that articulates the impact investment ecosystem in that country.
Maria Pia Morante
In addition, her academic background includes an MBA from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in economics and finance from the University of Piura. Her passion for education and technology, combined with her investment experience in the edtech sector, make her a valuable addition to uPlanner’s Board of Directors.
“uPlanner can generate great social impact in the region, addressing the challenges that higher education has in Latin America, which is a topic of coverage. Not everyone has access to higher education, and using data analytics and artificial intelligence can help make institutions more efficient and improve the educational experience for students. Being part of that process and sharing the experience I have excites me, and I hope to contribute to meeting all the objectives,” stated Morante.
We’re also pleased to welcome Zyanya Bejarano, a professional with more than 15 years of experience in the education and technology industry, recognized for her skills in leading digital transformation in the educational sector, where she has promoted the SaaS business since the first startups, IPO and private equity companies. Additionally, she has led new businesses in more than 25 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, demonstrating a deep understanding of the complexities and dynamics of international markets. She has held management positions in globally recognized companies such as Instructure, Zylo and Lucid.
Zyanya Bejarano
Her career includes outstanding participation in the development of innovative educational projects and the implementation of technological solutions to improve the efficiency and quality of educational processes. As part of the uPlanner Board of Directors, she will contribute her strategic vision and knowledge in the area of higher education.
“Joining a company like uPlanner excites me, as it will allow me to share the experience I have gathered in the Tech world and help improve the operations we currently have with universities. A very big challenge in the United States is to address strategies against student dropout, given that since approximately 2010 there has been a great decline in enrollment. In the case of LATAM it is continuous work, guiding institutions to create a tangible impact through technology,” Bejarano stated.
The presence of these two women leaders in positions of high responsibility not only reflects a genuine commitment to gender balance in the organization, but also enriches the company’s strategic perspective. Their professional backgrounds and knowledge add an invaluable dimension to uPlanner’s management landscape, expanding the range of experiences and visions that can be considered in the formulation of innovative strategies. This inclusion not only inspires future generations of women to aspire to leadership roles in the tech industry, but also strengthens uPlanner’s reputation as an organization that values and promotes diversity in all its forms.
uPlanner’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jamil Salmi, expressed his enthusiasm for having María Pía and Zyanya join the company’s management team, affirming: “We are convinced that María Pía’s and Zyanya’s experience and leadership will be fundamental to continue strengthening our commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of educational technology. With them on board, we are confident that uPlanner will continue to make a difference in academia.”
