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Denise Navarro Becerra

Gambian Programs

• Email:

  [email protected]

Denise Navarro Becerra is the project manager of our Gambian Programs. She is a seasoned cultural heritage professional with extensive experience in project management, capacity building, and sustainable heritage development across diverse international contexts. HerMaP Gambia that Denise leads, focuses on capacity building, sustainable heritage management, and community-driven tourism initiatives in collaboration with national institutions, local authorities, and international organizations.

Denise’s career spans roles in the public, private, and academic sectors across Mexico, the United States, Saudi Arabia, France, Portugal, Italy, Romania, Spain, Kenya, and The Gambia. As Deputy Director of Collections for the State of Mexico, she managed the conservation of a network of 30 museums and implemented UNESCO’s Culture for Development Indicators methodology to strengthen public policy and strategic planning. She also led capacity-building and training programs for museum staff, in collaboration with the National Institute for Anthropology and History, enhancing professional standards and operational practices.

She served as Cultural Advisor to Mexico’s National Fund for Tourism Development (FONATUR), coordinating cultural components of the Tren Maya federal mega-project, which involved safeguarding six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and engaging over 1,400 impacted communities.

Her expertise also includes designing and implementing engagement programs for youth and families during her tenure at Avesta, an international consultancy. There, she developed management tools for cultural programming and led initiatives that enhanced accessibility and inclusion in contemporary art exhibitions.

Denise holds advanced degrees in Heritage Management and the Dynamics of Cultural Landscapes, with specializations in sustainable development and policy frameworks. She has contributed to scholarly publications, including a chapter in Patrimoine, péril et résilience (2022), and has collaborated with organizations such as UNESCO and ICOMOS to advance heritage conservation. Fluent in English, French, and Spanish, with additional proficiency in Italian and Portuguese, Denise brings a multilingual and interdisciplinary approach to her work, fostering impactful collaborations worldwide.