Empowering Children and Communities to Reach Their Full Potential
Mayor Potencial is committed to building lasting partnerships, empowering local communities, and creating meaningful, sustainable change in rural Honduras.
Our Mission
Mayor Potencial improves the lives of children and families in underserved rural communities of southern Honduras by expanding access to healthcare, education, and essential resources.
Working alongside local communities, we develop and carry out projects that address urgent needs and create long-term opportunity, including the construction and continued development of a free community health clinic. Through service trips, research, environmental initiatives, and hands-on community projects, we connect volunteers, universities, donors, and local partners to turn shared goals into meaningful action.
At the heart of our work are the voices, knowledge, and priorities of the communities we serve. Together, we strengthen communities today while fostering future leaders as catalysts for lasting social change.
Our Vision
We envision strong, healthy, and resilient rural communities in southern Honduras, where children and families have lasting access to quality healthcare, education, clean water, and the opportunities they need to thrive.
Our vision is a future where communities have the resources, knowledge, and support to address challenges, build on their strengths, and create sustainable opportunities for generations to come. Through lasting partnerships and collaboration, we hope to foster greater independence, stability, and well-being while ensuring that progress continues long into the future.
At the heart of this vision are communities where local voices guide development, families are empowered to shape their own futures, and the next generation of leaders has the opportunity to grow, inspire others, and serve as catalysts for lasting social change.
Meet Our Founder
From El Rodeito to Mayor Potencial
Nancy Bell was born in El Rodeito, a rural village in southern Honduras where access to education beyond elementary school was extremely limited. Her family’s move to Tegucigalpa opened doors to further education, but it came after years of sacrifice: her parents worked long hours so Nancy and her brother could attend school.
Nancy became the first person from El Rodeito to attend college, eventually earning her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and completing a master’s degree at Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
In 2013, she founded Mayor Potencial—“Greatest Potential”—to help create opportunities for children and families in communities like the one where she grew up. From the beginning, Mayor Potencial has worked with communities rather than simply providing services to them. We listen first, learn what families identify as their most urgent priorities, and collaborate on solutions rooted in local knowledge, strengths, and goals.
What began with education initiatives and university service trips has grown into broader community-led work, including healthcare access, infrastructure projects, environmental initiatives, and the development of a free community health clinic. Mayor Potencial has partnered with Cornell University on service trips and a social entrepreneurship course, and has collaborated with Cape Cares on health-related research.
For nearly a decade, Mayor Potencial and Cape Cares have worked together on health initiatives. Building on that trusted collaboration, we are partnering with local organizations and community members to develop a free community health clinic guided by the priorities of the families it will serve.
At the heart of Mayor Potencial is Nancy’s belief that every child and family deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. When communities, partners, and supporters work together, we can create lasting change.
“When communities, partners, and supporters work together, we can create lasting change and inspire future leaders to become catalysts for social change.”
Meet Our Team
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Allison Liang - Chief Development Officer
Allison joined Mayor Potencial in 2013 while studying Biological Engineering at Cornell University, where she played an important role in leading fundraising efforts and supporting educational initiatives in rural Honduras.
With a strong passion for STEM education, she believes in creating opportunities that empower children to reach their full potential and build brighter futures. She has continued contributing to Mayor Potencial's growth through social media outreach, corporate partnerships, and efforts to expand educational opportunities in underserved communities.
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Logan Flores - International Liaison
Born and raised in El Rodeito, Honduras, Logan is Nancy's cousin and an important connection between Mayor Potencial and the local community.
Logan helps coordinate projects on the ground, monitors their progress, and keeps the team informed about their impact.
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Nidia David - Internationa Liaison
Like Logan, Nidia is Nancy's cousin. She was born in a similar small rural community and hopes to give her community the same opportunities that Mayor Potencial is building in El Rodeito.
Nidia works in Tegucigalpa and commutes to El Rodeito on a regular basis to oversee Mayor Poencial's trips to Honduras. Thus, she is invaluable in the collaboration between the US and Honduran teams when the lack of internet in El Rodeito prevents online communication.
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Margaret Shackell-Dowell Donor Relations & Reporting Coordinator
Margaret is an accounting professor at Ithaca College with over 20 years of experience in higher education, research, and philanthropy. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan and has received multiple awards recognizing her professional accomplishments.
With a strong commitment to charitable causes, Margaret brings valuable expertise to Mayor Potencial, where she oversees GlobalGiving projects, prepares progress reports, and maintains meaningful relationships with donors through communication and appreciation.
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Kristy Hernandez - Website Development & Design Coordinator
With over 20 years of experience in administration, communications, and organizational support, Kristy brings a diverse professional background spanning the natural foods cooperative, service, and wellness sectors.
At Mayor Potencial, Kristy focuses on website design, development, and content management. Through her work, she helps connect visitors with Mayor Potencial's mission, projects, and community initiatives.
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Luis Flores - Social Media Coordinator
With a background in fashion design, journalism, and creative entrepreneurship, Luis brings a diverse professional background spanning the fashion, media, and creative industries. Based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, he is the director of Bloom Creative and the designer behind his own clothing line, including the Arena Rosa collection.
At Mayor Potencial, Luis focuses on social media coordination, content creation, and community engagement, helping strengthen the organization's visibility and share the stories behind its mission, projects, and community initiatives.
Be Part of What Comes Next
From education and healthcare to community development, Mayor Potencial's work continues through the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners.