For the past eight years, she has dedicated herself to supporting children and young adults with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with genetic conditions.
CORAL GABLES, FL, January 29, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ — Andrea Villegas has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Ms. Villegas is the executive director of The Genes Education & Support Foundation, which she created along with her son, Emilio, while he was alive. For the past eight years, she has dedicated herself to supporting children and young adults with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with genetic conditions. Her role involves overseeing fundraising efforts and various initiatives within the foundation and organizing inclusion events aimed at enriching the emotional well-being of children and young adults. She has also created a supportive network for families, bolstered by numerous dedicated volunteers including psychologists and therapists. Additionally, she works with advocate parents to support families facing challenges, organizes sessions to explain diagnoses and provides opportunities for families to ask questions. “GENES was Emi’s dream and it is his legacy,” explained Ms. Villegas. “Dr. Mislen Bauer, co-founder and Emilio’s geneticist, is a crucial part of the organization. Emi’s brothers and closest friends are their GENES ambassadors and are pivotal to their mission of inclusion as well.”
In addition to her primary role, Ms. Villegas has been the owner and executive director of AV Marketing Consultant since 2018. Her expertise in marketing strategy, business analysis and new business development has been instrumental in her success in this venture. Before this, she served as the Latin America marketing manager for Polaroid Corporation from 2001 to 2006, where she honed her skills in advertising and business strategy. For the preceding five years, she was the Andean region marketing manager for Polaroid, further developing her proficiency in marketing. Her career began at a local advertising agency, where she gained valuable experience that laid the foundation for her future endeavors.
Ms. Villegas’s academic achievements include a Master of Business Administration from Universidad del Rosario in 2001 and a bachelor’s degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in 1994. She primarily attributes her success to gratitude, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. This perspective has enhanced her development and contributed meaningfully to her current status.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Villegas is actively involved in civic organizations. She has been the president and co-founder of GENES Education & Support Foundation since 2015 and has served as a parent advocate at the NF Center at Miami Children’s Hospital since 2014.
Ms. Villegas’s personal life is centered around her family, spending time with friends, practicing yoga, jogging, and cooking. Born in Bogota, she cherishes spending time with her twin sons while holding a special connection with her late son, Emilio. She aims for her twins to both be involved in their community and to understand the entire world around them.
Looking ahead, Ms. Villegas plans to strategically expand The Genes Education & Support Foundation by fostering collaboration with various partners. Her primary objective is to enhance the foundation’s effectiveness while developing a sustainable income stream that will enable more resources toward its long-term success.
About Marquis Who’s Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who’s Who in America®, Marquis Who’s Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who’s Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who’s Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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