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September 2, 2016 Sharon Smart Mayan Families Panajachel Departamento de Sololá, Guatemala To Whom It May Concern, It is my pleasure to recommend Maria Fernanda Paparone for employment at your organization. I first met Maria 4 years ago, during which time she worked as the Shelter Program Director at Mayan Families. As co-founder and Executive Director of Mayan Families, I can speak firsthand as to her professional abilities and personal characteristics. During her time at Mayan Families, Maria was the lead architect in the Shelter Program. Her responsibilities included developing housing and construction designs, providing updates on the progress of construction projects, and overseeing Shelter Program operations. I was always consistently impressed with her dedication and hardwork. Maria is resourceful and motivated, always willing to take initiative. As Shelter Director she piloted several innovative projects, including designing schools, housing projects in developing communities, and various other types of community infrastructure. She was instrumental in expanding the reach and scope of this department; her excellent multi-tasking skills and attention to detail greatly contributed to the growth and continued success of the Shelter Program. As Shelter Director, Maria spent much of her time communicating with a wide variety of individuals, including donors, beneficiaries, and construction and architecture professionals. In this role she demonstrated her skills as an articulate and effective communicator. Maria is engaging and personable, with experience and proven success in developing and maintaining long-term, positive relationships both across organizational departments as well as with outside partners. Maria will be an exceptional addition to your organization and I am happy to recommend her for employment. Please feel free to contact me at if you would like to discuss her experiences and qualifications further. Best Wishes,

Sharon Smart Co-founder & Director