The Plenary Speakers for New Directions LATAM 2025 include key thought leaders and educational experts in the field of English Language Assessment.

Plenary Speaker

Mtro. Ricardo González Máximo

Deputy Director of the Language Centre, Universidad Panamericana

Ricardo González Máximo holds degrees in English and French Literature (UNAM), an MA in History of Thought, and a specialisation in Philosophical Anthropology (UP). With over 20 years teaching English, French, Italian, and German, he is Deputy Director and former coordinator of the English and Third Language departments at UP’s Language Centre. He has participated in translation projects, completed ICAMI’s Leaders in Development Program, and enjoys languages, music & literature.

Rosalia Valero

Senior Assessment Services Manager, English - Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean, Cambridge University Press & Assessment

Rosalía Valero is Senior Assessment Services Manager - English for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean in the Cambridge office in Mexico. She has an MSc in Teaching English from Aston University, England. Her professional career started as an ELT practitioner then a trainer, coordinator, and department head.

Walter Araya Garita

Professor, University of Costa Rica

Walter Araya Garita is an English professor with an M.A. in Teaching English as a Foreign Language and an M.Sc. Administration from the University of Costa Rica, along with a specialization in Educational Planning from India. With over 25 years of experience at the School of Modern Languages, he has held teaching, administrative, and research roles. Currently, he is the Academic Director of a Social Extension Unit at UCR and has published articles and presented globally on language assessment.