J. Leonardo Yanez

Leonardo Yánez is an Educational and Child Psychologist (University Andrés Bello, Caracas – Psychology, 1977) with a Master of Arts in Psychological Foundations of Education (University of Victoria, Faculty of Education, 1984).  He was National Director of Preschool Education (1994-1999) and General Director of Program Coordination for Social Development (1993-1994) in Venezuela. He is also Ex-Chairman of Primary and Preschool Education Department at the Andrés Bello University (1986-1993) and staffed the National Open University and Metropolitan University of Caracas.

He has contributed to the design, implementation and evaluation of programs for Early Childhood Care and Development and worked as a consultant for UNICEF, Cisor, CEV, the National Institute for Child and Youth, and the Ministries of Family and Social Development, Education and Planning, among others.

At the Bernard van Leer Foundation, he coordinated the Effectiveness Initiative for Early Childhood, at the time the Foundation’s flagship project (The Netherlands, 2000-2003).

Currently, Leonardo Yánez is the Program Officer for Latin America at the same organization.  He is responsible for the design and implementation of the country strategies for Brazil and Peru that focus on the key issues of children who grow up in disadvantaged social and economic conditions.